New-York tribune., 1878-03-16
Fro. Tne semi. WeelIg Trlblne.

DCRmToRIEs.
Fross me SEMI Weekly TFtblre
Cheap lodging-hOuses have become a feature
OF city life. They vary in accommodations cleanliness
and comfort, according their charges, which range
from cents 25 cents night. Five years there
were only few OF these resorts for the wretchsi In
York, and those Of the vilest kind. The odg
ers were herdcI together like cattle. without regard to
age long wooden bench, or raised platform
around a damp cellar or a badly vcnuliicd a'te N
Pearl, James or Rooseyet-s,s., without mattrass OF
other bedding. and covered with m0th-eaten army
blankets made up what were called "b,ds for odeers."
Here men. women and children were promscuouSy
thrown together The became indeScribaby foul be
fore morning, aud the rooms rocking with filth
ami swarmlng with vcrnin.
There was great need OF dorm itcrics conducted on
proper principles where the poor could De provided at
moderate charges, with comfortable beds, washing ar
rangcments and pleasant sitting and reading rooms.
william oxen opened the first loGZins house of tais
class june 1873, at No. % Bowcry It's success Was
so marked that in few months the Salem Dormory
was established, at No 1873 Bowery, with accommoda-
tons for 13O men-no being admitted. The rules
OF this dormtory that liquors be allowed Oh the
premises, no free lodgings gwen, and contribu
tions solicited the dormitory being conducted on
business basis. For single lodgings the charges 20
and 25 cents with meal tickets at 2j cents for five
Eeals.
Within the last eighteen months cheap lodglnghouses
mated that present they number 300 They vary as
widely In the of the occupants In the pro-
vision made for the odgers Some the resorts Of
beggsrs, tramps and sneakhiove and criminals gen
orally. Others are avoided by law-breaSers and are
sought chiefly by persons who have been brought down
from competence and comfort BY financial disaster or by
intemperance. The histories Of many of the WHO
have been forced to go shelter To tenccnt lodging
houses free dormorcs, contain incidents Of inter
est.
An Episcopal clergyman, who was supplanted in Ba
more younger and more eloquent rector. being un
able 10 obtain charge wandered TO this city and be-
came destitute He sought aid at the Office Of the BOwery
branch oGthe Young Mems Christian Association. He Is
now in charge Of "a mission church IN Philadelphia.
young man who had just finished his Of study
citv lost his situation which he had been enabled
education, aud in destitute circumstances was
provided with lodging aud meals On account of his con
diton. he often gives way TO fits OF despondepcy and
threatens TO commit suicide.
young of respectable parentage, in this city,
account OF family troubles Of long standing, became
alienated from home. Destitute and almost naked. he
became a regular inmate of cheap lodging house L1te
nigbt fa.hI0nably dressed lady called al the rooms
and said Ny brother IL here, and arn on sure OF
finding him by coming mere at night. He viii not
near in tae day He was found, and needing the
sister, he became reconced and returned home.
longcd 70 A family OF rank ana whose father owns the
largest gun-bsrrel nanufaclory in England Exfraya-
ssn very io, He was saved from further drgada ION
by city missionary. who informed the mother OF his
condition. and money was promptly furnished to send
A Brooklyn lawyer who was admitted to tho bar
thirty years ha. been periodical odgcr at house
OH the Bowery. Dissipation caused his downfall
A whiiehaIrcd man, seveny-twO years old, who had
been principal OF school In Virginia. was provided for
at charitable dDrnitOrv for several W. kH. Unable 20
secure work. started last week TO walk 10 Baltimore.
saving, :" woald rather starye In ne country an1 be
OF Christian burial, than 10 starve IN New-l"Ik
and have my body manged by the doctors at the
MOrgue"
in Washington, found III cheap lodging house III
this city, by cousin who Is manager OF one OF The
Brooklyn theatres ana was sent by him to his parents III
Instances of peculiar hardship multiply The books OF
boy from Toronto, whose father holds Government
position ana VINO ran away from home victim 70 tn9
dclusIonS ana foihes caused Dy fcaolg sensational
stories teacher, who deposited his last dollar at
which he obtained an English journalist whose
brother Is dean III the Episcopal Church of Canada
aned man. WHO las followed te occupation Of clock
maker in this city. and state for forty years.
rarian. a graduate of Robert College, Constantnope,
and q member OF the Greek Church, railing o. hmd up
praciIce AZ phy scan forced 10 seek the friendly
shelter of "A charitable dOrutOiy me FORMER pfhcai
OF an academy, well yersed in English, French, ana
ten cent bed last week, having SUNK 10 me lowest
depths Of poverty through ntemperance Many OF tAS
sailors OF the war, who are unable To WORK ana
VINO rey on the few pennies furnished ny lhe Sni''-
AT the Bowery branch OF the Young Mems Chrlsiian
Association provision is made for lodging ana feeding
destitute strangers while searching FOR work Great
Is taken TO exclude the unworthy During the last
year 3l959 lodgings 9.O06 baths and 2li,3l7 meals
were furnished, and 2O, ,s31 men were renewed. IL
addition, 3,645 men were assisted in obtaining situations
The old church for cOlOrcd people at Prince and
MariOn-stS been turned INTO a lodging-hOusc.
Each occupant is provided with food lodging and
bath IN return for which he assist ia saving,
splitting and burfiiDg kiDding-wood Tho sleeping
arrangements Conspicuous for simplicity. bedding
or pillows bcinx furnished and the floors pew seats
forming cheap substitute for beds. Nightly Of
men boys refuse to accept shelter and food because
they will be compelled 10 work fOr them.
The cheapest aud most wrctched lodging house In the
CITY is In Peast IL Is named after wolknown phi
IalbrOpIst. The for lodgings from up
ward for bed, and cents for the privilege Of sleeping
on the floor under bed, aud the popriet0rs claim that
they make money at these rates.