San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-04-27
The Stewart woman's Hotel.

week, and its plan and character have
been subjected to much unintelligen,
criticism-the natural result Of the gen.
eral preconception Of Mr.. Stewards
purpose as that Of making semi-char-
table refuge for working-women. 1t
has not infrequently been spoken of as
Mr.. Stewards charity and his great me-
mortal. Now it appears that it is scarce.
ly more q charity than his great stores,
or his factories-they give employment,
this gives harborage; in the one regu-
lar wages are punetiliously paid, in the
other the specified terms are to be inva-
riably exaeted. Yet the new hotel,
though as thoroughly embodying the
business principles of Mr.. Stewart as
any other of his ventures, is truly me-
mortal; and it may prove on that very
account a much more worthy and en-
during one than an absolute charity.
The building, handsome seven
story structure occupying command
ing site on the square between Thirty
second and Thirty-third Streets, where
fashionable Park Avenue begins to rise
above the horse-railroad tunnel and
busy Fourth Avenue descends down
town, has long been an object of inter-
est to the country visitor, especially
during the years that it remained with
boarded windows, because, as the car
conductors used to explain, Stewart was
bound to get his work done at cheaper
than the market rates. 1t is now as
thoroughly built and as perfectly ap-
pointed as any house in the city. Its
walls, partitions, floors and stairways
are of iron and brick ,smaking it as near
ly fire-proof as can be. Its rooms are
large, well lighted and generously fur
nished, not with painted denominations,
but good walnut bcdsteads, dressing
cases, etc., and each room with it's car
pets of separate design and border. 1t
contains eight large reception rooms, a
general parlor as well appointed as that
of the Windsor or other high-priced no.
tells, and a library that contains nearly
5000 volumes, and is most luxuriously
arranged for their use by the inmates.
The building incloses court with a
fountain and fowers-an item of luxury
beyond the wont of city hotels, while in
all material comforts and conveniences
it equals the best of them.
This really admirable hotel must be
judged by its purposes, not by the mis-
conceptions which have gained so con-
siderable hold on the public. The in
tention of Mr.. Stewart may perhaps be
disapproved by philanthropic people
who would have chosen rather to aid a
poorer class-the ill-paid clerks and
needle-women, employees of milliners,
tailors, dressmakers, and so on, who
abound in the great city. Very plainly
this hotel is not meant for these at all,
but for class almost as numerous, in
GLIDING the proprietors of small shops
of millinery, fancy goods, confectionery
the cashiers and heads of departments
in large stores; those who design,
write for the press, do literary work.
teach music; students of art or medi-
cine or singing or the piano; and all,
indeed, who can from their work, or
from their savings in preparation for
work, afford the rates charged. These
rates are SO per week each for boarding
and lodging, provided two room togeth-
er; 81 week extra for occupying alone
a single room; from So to So week
extra for occupying alone large par
Ior-room Of course no one can live in
this hotel who earns less than $40 per
week, and it would be much pleasanter
If she earned S15. But within these
limits certainly very great many ex-
cellent women in New York are includ-
ed; and these will doubtless obtain for
their money accommodations quite
worth it, and extraordinary privileges
besides.
Much ado also is made about the re-
strictions imposed upon the inmates of
the hotel. No sewing-machines, dogs,
cats, birds, trunks, boxes, washer
women or visitors will be allowed in the
the aforementioned class
may be excepted on permission of the
Nails must not be driven in
the rooms. Keys of the rooms must be
left at the Office. The gas must be turn
ed off in all the rooms at half-past IL,
when the hotel will be closed. A bath
costs ten cents. Applications for board