Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-16
washingsop.. Greatest Need.

Washington's Greatest Need.
To the Editor of The EVENING STAB.
we notice, in the annual report of Sanitary
ohlcer Connell, one item upon which we cannot
refrain from saying few words. He calls the
attention OF the authorities to the necessity for
the erection OF an inebriate asylum in this city.
les, unpleasant and sad as the truth may be,
more than bronze marble statues sparkling
fountains. library or court buildings or even
the reclamation of the death-dealing Potomac
Hats, the greatest need Of this fair city to-day is
an asylum for drunkards. The hearts of thou
SANDS OF mothers. wives and sisters. and even of
the poor victims themselves. will respond to the
truth of what we say. We mean ,espectable
place OF confinement for those, who, through
the indulgence of the terrible appetite for strong
drink. have lost all control over themselves
whose will-power has become 80 weakened
that they no longer have the strength to break
away from the shackles that bind them-wth
whom 1t has become a disease that is swiftly and
surely leading them to destruction No en-
Treaties OF mothers, fathers, wives or dearest
friends are Of any avail. They make good reso-
buttons and pledges but to break Them for with
the terrible and diseased thirst, the yery sight.
smell, or even thought, of the liquor is madden
ing and all else is as nothing
Ana how can the sight and smell of it be
avoided when one can scarcely go a step,-cer-
tainly not square,-on the principal streets of
this city without passing the yawning doors of
aloOns,-trulythev very gates OF perditiOn,
their tempting array of the enticing poison and
the strong and maddening smell issuing from
them What hope is there for the weak and
tempted ones. many of them noble and prOmis-
Ing young men. the idols Of loving mothers and
SISTERS or the husbands and fathers it may be-
OF fair young wives and little innocent children?
Sad experience has proved there is none, unless
some asylum can be provided, where they could
De placed by their friends. kept away from
temptation. surrounded by pure and good in
nuences, and, above all. be under judiciOus medi-
cal treatment for what in reality has bee ONE
disease place where they can be confined. if
need be, for years, or until the terrible habit
could be broken, and they could go forth freed
from the chains that bound them and strong to
resist temptation.
Such an asylum as this is as much a necessity
as are hospitals for those otherwise diseased, or
insane aSylumS for those whose reason is de-
throned. We wonder that this crying necessity
has been so long unheeded by the citizens of
washington. or that some public spirited men.
possessed of ample means, have not before this
made donations for founding such an institution.
with JudicOus management it might be made
self-suppOrtng. and prove an untold blessing to
thousands OF unfortunate ones. Any one who
doubts the urgency of the need or thinks the
picture exaggerated would do well to seek an
interview with our worthy chief Of police, or
some officer of the force, and request few facts
in the case. The tales they could tell of constant
and nightly visits from heartbrOken mothers
wives and sisters would wiring the heart of any
one not hardened to all tender influences. They
come to entreat their assistance in looking for
their loved ones. GOndly loved still. tho so de-
graded,) whom they know from sad experience
are lying somewhere In the cutters or Sums of
the city, or to take home. under cover OF the
darkness, those who have already been picked
up and lodged in the station house. They will
tell you that many of those thus picked up are
from the best circles of society-handsOme, we'll
educated. promising young men-WhO, but for
this one deadly habit, would grace any station
and be the pride and JOY of their homes.
IL this is not sufficient, go to the superin-
tendent OF the District wOrkhOuse. He will tell
you that there are not only one, but many young
men belonging to refined and highly respected
families who are placed in confinement there by
their friends to keep them from the deadly
poison that is swiftly and surely running their
lives and bringing disgrace upon themselves
and all who are anything to them. 1t is sad
alternatives choice of the least of two evils
but how much better would it be (unless the
curse that drags them down could be banished
entirely from our fair city and land) to have a
decent asylum for such unfortunate ones; q
refuge where. instead of the society Of the low
and vicious, they could be surrounded by pure
and refined influences. provided with suitable
employment; where it would not wiring the
hearts OF their friends to go and see them, and
above all, as we have said, where they could be
under the best medical treatment.
Will not our city authorities or some public
spirited citizen possessed of the means take the
matter in hand, and see that this pressing need
Is supplied at an early day? ANON.