Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-31

foster the peoples, national pride and
independence. They could SIT under
their own vine and fig tree and claim
respect from all other men. They
would become interested in their church
and country, for whatever public works
were undertaken would either advance
or retard their own interests. Such pO-
session begat self respect among the
poor and humble, and not being de-
pendent on the poor laws or the beck
of employers thee could rise superior TO
what would otherwise haye crushed
them.
And this has become a serious factor
i'm the administration Of your laws. At
one time the majority OF our citizens
were owners of their homes. In the
Eastern States and our large cities the
very opposite principle is now IN force
and the WOrkingmen, the labOrers are
the renters. I'm this city we find that
many OF the poor leased ground and on
il erected their houses. Because OF the
nOn-payment oil rent or the expiration
of the lease, these houses have reverted
To the pruprietOrs OF OF the land, and
here YOU have great numbers oil tenc-
ments owned by a very few people.
These houses and the land on which
they are built are held at such high fig
urcs that il is impossible Tor man with
AN income of one dollar 4 day TO pur-
chase. consequently he is homeless.
The result of this is the unwiseSt OF
political economy. As soon as the Is
raclites lost their homes they took but
little interest in their country and
church. You find to-day that the
troubles at your ballot-boX and in the
non-obseryauce Of your laws come from
those who have only body and soul to
look alter. They have not been reared
under this Government, and why
should they take any interest in 1t?
They have nothing To lose, everything
Ia gain by a change. Any large district
of country is then in danger OF decay
when the majority OF its people cannot
possess their own homes.
III these houses were such as would
inspire religion and patriotism, we might
believe i'm much good that would result
from the influx of large nOn-prOperty
population; but where the buildings
and rooms are dirty, small. poorly ven
tilated, wherein the people are herded
like cattle in pen, We cannot expect
many of them 10 BE- raised much above
the beasts Of the field. And yet out OF
many of there kennels there have come
stars that have ShOne in the spiritual
and intellectual ornament. Their hearts
beat rs warmly and lovingly for suffer
ING mankind as the hearts OF men who
walk on velvet floors and dwell behind
lace curtains.
4 short distance from this city is a
company employing a large number OF
men. There is erected near the works
among other buildings, one long row OF
twcuty-siX tenement houses, the houses
consisting OF two rooms, one above the
other. their size about fourteen feet
square. These houses rent for one dol
lara week, or more than four dollars
month. In 'front.' of the buildings is a
large. undivided yard, in which all the
families commingle. Back Ofthe houses
flows a small stream OF water, in which
are the garbage and filth Cess-pOOls ami
wards further up its banks. This water
is used for washing purposes. The per-
sons crowded into these houses number,
men, women and children, about 100.
To two rooms ten perSOnS-grOwn sons
and daughters being OF the number
are crowded. For all this people there
is not a single clubhouse. In this build
ing the prOprictOrs use all their efforts
10 have their men live. Whena man
buvs his own property and builds his
own house he is Disseminated against;
that is. i'm times Of depression the rcntor
is employed, and the man in his own
house is allowed 90 do the best hc can.
The proprictOrS tell you they do not de-
sire thcirm men % own property, rs they
mi-ht eugunlcr strikes. What phil
osophy 10 be taught by American citi-
ZeuS, Talk about your negro slavery;
talk about Russian Serlduln. In this
county of Allegheny, with white men
we have as bad oStracism rs the most
drSpotic countries ever dared have. Re-
member that he that opprcsscth the
poor reproaChcth his Maker.
No. my friends; if you would take
one step toward the elevation of the
poor, toward their physical and moral
welfare, encourage them TO purchase
homes: let them have properties in
which they have an interest; let them
feel that they own more land than the
little plot i'm the cemetery in which they
may be buried; let this he done, and !
venture 20 saw that your country will be
better governed, your laws better adj
mini,tercd, and better men will be
elected 90 office.
Another plan for the Improvement OF
the people was the setting apart for
their use of days OF rest and recreation.
The Sabbath was To be honUrcd above
all other days-it was 10 be time OF alb
SUlutc quiet and worship 10 God. Be
side this dav there were three annual
festivals, at which seasons the Jews went
up To- their capital. lntermingled with
these. were other icaStS which were cell
cbrltpd i'm the town and districts where
they resided. Throughout the whole
wear there was a system OF cessation
from work, by means of which the pco-
plr had healthy bodies and sound
minds. When these days were used Tor
destination. when the Sabbath was en-
rroachrd upon for barter and sale, then
the enemies came i'm like u flood, and
the country began to crUmblc.
In Il, FIR this reason that we contend
for the S1-CI.ct Orthodox NdDOaIn.
WouIi-bc Ii,cralis,s have demanded
w.r,in-man', Sabbath in which they
may riot and debauch, but working
mans Sabbath has become his curse,
and one oi the means OF his political
and spiritual suffering. Where there
was to- have been pleasure, there is now
work: where there was to have been
endowment. there is a grinding down
which makes the poor man slave. We
must restore the American Sabbath it
we wish 10 give back the old time glory
and prosperity 10 the American laborcr.
We must shut every saloon, close every
store. draw the fires from every railroad
engine. AMI elevate and spiritualize our
church service. Indeed, in foreign
countries where there has not been SO
much Sabbath dissipation, reforms are
now hrm. pa, forward for the rcstora-
lion of the Sabbath as it was before.
Tho inroads Of atheism and inGdclity
made il what now is.
Vb.t the American WOrkingman