Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-01
CHICAGO.
Misery Caused by Whisky
Thousands Out of Work.
An Appeal for National LeglsIa-
tlOn on the Subject.
The First Paper Started in Chicago
Fifty Years ago,
Discharge OF the Burglar That
Kissed the Sleeping
Beauty.
special Oorr..penasnss Of Ii. Ledger.

Special Correspondence Of the Ledger.
CHIcAeo, November q.
The destitute OF this city
are handing in their names
rapidly to the relief committee
The deplorable situation can be easily
imagined when | mention that within
few days about 1000 applications for
aid have been received by the author
tiles, who have the matter in hand.
From this dark picture, the suffering
this winter, can be approximately
reckoned. This sad state Of affairs
has been mainly brought about by the
suspension of such a great
number Of various kinds
OF business; and in the second place,
BY the great number of foreigners and
others coming to the city in a penni
less condition seeking employment,
aud not finding it. Most people at
distance think that Chicago is per
feet parsdise for persons wanting work.
The experience, however, Of tens Of
thousands has caused them to believe
that it is q perfect hell. But, mind
you, al the misery does not come from
this over estimate Of our city's posi-.
hilities. Tens of thousands who have
been earning good, aye, big wages,
heretofore, are now among those suf
fering and who will suffer this winter.
Why is this so, you ask2 Whisky,
whisky, whisky the abuse Of the use
Of alcohol is the prime cause. / know
many iron workers who have made as
high as ten dollars per day during the
season just ended, whocann now pay
their last months grocery bills This
is the pitiable state Of affairs in
the region Of every public
works in this section. While these
men are idle, their families nearly
naked, and all Subjects of charity the
whisky and beer men ia their vicinity
are hale, hearty, happy and prospers
Gus, and adding 10 their posses
sions OF course these people are not
to blame for selling their wares to
whoever will buy. Iii is the purchaser
who is culpable for spending that
which should 60 to make himself and
amily comfortable during the long,
idle days of dreary winter. When
whisky causes so much terrible sui-
fering, is it not high time that the
general government take the matter
in hand and Immediately uproot the
frighlful and life destroying plant?
Let the government buy up all the
whisky interests throughout the coun-
Try. and then make laws prohibiting
its manufscture-laws equivalent to
the death penalty. This step could
be taken without injuring any
one; without impoYerishing millions
Of people, as did the emancipation
proclamation. Ifyou want to get rid
ola mad dog, you do not begin by
quoting poetry. You simply take your
gun aud blow out the vicious brute's
life. Your quick action destroys the
animals ability to disseminate its
venom through some human anatomy.
Then why hesitate in the matter Of
the demon alcohol? Has not its ex-
istence been, from time immemorisl,
and is it not to-day, the greatest cause
that literally has and does damn man
existence? Stop the manufacture of
whisky, and at once will cease poverty
aud crime, and man will begin to ap-
proaeh the image Of his Heavenly
Creator. Whisky has created muir
derers, thieves and suicides; filed poor
houses, jails and dishonored graves.
and caused the poor widow to hunger
and weep, and the desOlate orphan to
grow up in ignorance and become
the cruel victim Of shame and crime
Our Congressman should let the tariff
question rest for the present, and turn
their attention to the terrible whisky
evil. Let committee be appointed to
inquire into the probable cost that
would attend the buying up, BY the
government, Of all the whisky interests
Of the country. The work would be
light, and the duty could be quickly
performed. Talk does not amount to
fig in this matter; its vital impor-
lance requires prompt national legis.
latige sction. Let the government act
at once, apd the peopleWill eheerfully
pay the bill.
Chicago courts are making ii warm
for all classes Of criminals.
Hon. joseph Dunlap is about to
retire from the chair Of city editor Of
the Chicago Times - y
The labor organizations Of Chicago
and Cook county are periecting them
selves fer political purposes; they in
tend lnsking their power felt 10 the
future. Tbs can be done easily
enough, but not By attempt>
ing sale Of their strength 10 either
the Republican Of Denocfatie party,
as was YentuFed at the recent
county election. However, the coun-
try has enough Of parties. Toe Dem
ocratic and Republican ORGANIZATIONS
are good enough for the most exactiug,
but, like gun fred a great number
Of times, they need examining into
occasionally, and relieved Of contami-
mating subEiances And, q, every
man Is "iaboring man" each should
constitute himselta committee to In
quire into the character Of every man
aspiring TO Office. 1t is the voters
fault that political parties are impure
at times.
Another murder 10 Chicago. Yes.
terdsy afternoon John Schmidt. A
German butcher, shot bis wife fatally
aud then blew out his own yillainous
life. Jealously, etc.
, 10 1893, City years ago yesterday.
John Calhoun started the first paper
10 Vhioago, sThe Democrat.' John
has been gathered to his fathers.
but his widow still resides
here, and has in her DOS
session the files Of the Democrat
The e.!.y sAoGld purchase them and
pay her handsome price for the
relics. The papers motto was:
Where liberty dwells there is my
county Only fifty years, and in
that short space Chicago has grown
IRON . small hamlet to be a city Of
nearly 100000 souls from log cabins
aud rough ways TO marble palaces,
luxurious tastes, electric lights and
divorces, mostly caused by whisky.
Doctors in Chicago say that the
American will soon die out, owing 10
the fact that the American wife Il
aYerse TO the cares oil maternity.
Uhicago Is suffering materially in this
respect.
The kissing burglar Of Chicago.
John Mitchell, has been DISCHARGED
from custody. The young lady he