Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-11
ERlN's DISTRESS.
Gloomy Times in Town and Coun-
try, But no Unusual Distress.
NO PROSPECTS OF BRIGHTER DAYS.
The Small Farmers and Their Still
Smaller Crops-Something About
the Peasants Who Would Not
Eat Indian Meal.

Eat Indian Meal.
WASHINGTON, May 10.-Consul.Gen
Merritt in London recently sent circular
letter to the United States Consuls in Ire
land, requesting information or the follow
ing points:
l. Whether the published accounts OF
distress among the people were correc! or
were exaggerated.
2. Whether the prospects Of ameliora-
ton in the immediate future were encour-
aging.
3. To what extent the existing condi-
tions tended to a more rapid emigration to
the United States or the English colonies.
4. Whether the Government, the Guar
dians of the Poor, or associations were
sending paupers to the United States.
Mr.. Merritt, summarizing the answer OF
the Consuls, says that the reports, while
admitting the
Gravity of the Situation,
agree that the distress at present is excep-
tional, and that the published accounts to
the contrary are exaggerated. In the poor
er agricultural districts the condition Of
the peasantry is miserable. The partial
| failure Of the potato crop in parts OF Ire
| land has to some extent aggravated the sit
uation. The fisheries have been uusuccess-
| full, and the rainy autumn and winter have
interfered with the work of the labofer.
The prospects OF ameliorating the condi-
tion OF the people in the immediate fu.
| ture are most discouraging. 1t is not
| likely that the Government will begin
public works in order 10 give employment
to the people, as the policy settled upon is
relief either by the
WerkhOusr or by Emigration.
| The Chief Secretary for Ireland, in re.
| cent speech, said that the condition of the
| poorer class of farmers was more deplora.
| be than that OF any class OF people living
| in any civilized country; that there were
| $1,000 farmers OF from one TO five acres, and
| 10000 Of from five to fifteen acres and
| in the latter class there were not more than
| from two to two and half acres Of arabic
| land in their holdings. Under more favor.
| able conditions the agricultural interests
| in Great Britain have suffered severely,
the present price of farming land being the
lowest known in generations, end the op-
preston of bad seasons and for eign compe-
tition has reduced the Irish farmer, ,wheth-
er tenant or owner, TO
StiII Lower Depths OF Poverty.
Trade in Ireland is extremely dali. Land
s almost unstable at any price, and the
unsettled political state OF the country for.
bids the hope of capital being forthcoming
to extend manufacturing interests From
whatever point of view the subject is
looked at, there is little or no chance for
immediate improvement.
The Consuls agree that the present con-
dition must act as powerful stimulus TO
emigration. In 1852 the emigration was
S9,5G6, an increase of l0,Sf7 over 1881, and
the present year will certainly show an
emigration of over 100000. OF the persons
who left Ireland last year, II per cent.
were between the ages Of - and 35, show.
ing that large majority were able bodied.
As to the question whether the Govern
ment, the Guardians Of the Poor, or asso.
Citations are engaged in
Sending Paupers 10 the United States
some diversity of opinion exists. Consul
Barrows OF Dublin says that no such prac-
tice is in operation in his district. Consul
Wood, OF Belfast writes:
IL know of no organized effort Tor any
large deportation OF sufferers or paupers
10 the United States. No doubt many will
find their way there by the aid Of friends
and often by charitable funds Most OF
such emigrants are without means. and
what is worse, without skill in trades or
other occupations, and with so little money
as TO afford no promise of any respectable
support on their arrival in America
Consul LivermOre OF Londonderry says
that Government agents, with no great
success, endearur to induce the poor and
lazy 10 emigrate. Mr.. ECCles, at Sligo, af-
ter saying that the Guardians Of the Poor
have scheduled out certain districts
Under the Emig ration Clauses
OF the Land act, states that in the Sligo
union alone Gr applications have been
made, and in the western unions consider
able more. He adds:
The bulk oi these emigrants will go to
the United States. They will receive :; per
head to cover cost Of passage and outfit. II
has been calculated that this will cost I"
Mound each. which will leave about II 10
each on arrival. As II appears to me, the
Guardians of the Poor are dcsirous Of send
ing those who are likely 10 be state OF
chronic poverty at home, and save the
rates from their possible support. II these
people are thrown upon the cities ot the
United States without provision being
made beforehand for their employment,
they may become burdens on the rates
there also. and the country Of their aI1p-
ton may become loser instead o! galE-
er by their influx
In conclusion, Consul.General Merritt
says:
As 60 Rriieyiug Irish Distress
bv contributions Of money from the United
States. which have always been - liberal,
the charges have been 50 frequent in the
past that much Of this money has been
used for other purposes, that suggest IN
the future that the utmost care be taken
in choosing the channels through which
the charity is adm mustered.
John ]. Piatt United States tOnsU! at
Cork. writes:
II metseyeral days ago prominent gen.
tleman OF this place. | remarked that there
was probably n great deal OF distress IN the
coast region OF the island. Not bit OF u;
don't YOU believe il, was his answer. He
told me OF his experience in distributing
suprlips TO the distressed districts in 1890
Al roints where the want was reported
greatest the officers could not, except at
extraysgant prices. engage hep even TO
unload the cargoes Of supplies, and in some
cases the naval crews had 10
Perform the Work Themscives.
The officers met with expressions o! con-
tempt al the idea OF sending the people
such stun as Indian corn meal, which IS
considered food it only foT pigs.
Tie mission of the Constellation TO
these shores three years ago was an enter
prise OF doubtful success rs charity. The
American potatoes went begging 80 70
speak. for somebody TO eat them. lney
were not thought 80 good as Irish potatoes'
some Of them were returned 20 Qleeps-
town and exported 10 the United States.
The visit Of the Constellation vas, how
ever. boon in some respects. II II did not
relieve the poor starving Irish, there were
costly dinners snd balls up and down the
country"
The Consuls at Belfast, Dublin. LINER
| ick, and Waterford report 'sst no eKoep-
tiousl distress exists in these localities.
The Consul At Sligo Gays thers. is no do1bt
that great distress exists in the west and
northwest
FOREIGN NEWS.
| N Penal AerN kA0ne