New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-18
STARVATION IN BROOKLYN
A STARTLING SERMON BY THE REV. FATHER
MAHONEY
THE PRIEST TELLS OF PERSONAL VISITS TO
HOMES WHERE THERE IS NO BREAD, AND
DENoUNCEs THE MEN WHO HAVE
CAUSED THE CLOSING OF FAC
TORIES AND MILLS.

TORIES AND MILLS
The Rev. Father Mahoney, pastor of the Church
Of Our Lady OF Good Counsel, on Putnam-ave,
near Ralph-ave.. brooklyn. caused decided SEN
alton at all the masses held there yesterday by
his startling reference to the actual cases OF star
walton at present existing in that city. Together
with his assistant priests. ne has, during the last
week, made a house-to-house canvass Of his par
sh He personally inspected more than half the
tenements and the result of his investigation was
given to the congregation. Ascending the altar
steps during every mass he graphically pictured
cases Of hunger and desttution OF which he had
been an eyewitness.
Never In all my experience" he said. has
Brooklyn been in such a condition as at present.
Hundreds OF families starving, and. unless re-
lief comes. and that speedily the results VIII be
appalling to contemplate. have seen strong men.
steady and Industrious, actually begging Tor bread
to feed their starving children. For months they
have been out OF employment There Ia no work
for them to do nor are there any indications that
the situation will improve for two or three months
at least.
This is the frs; time In my career as a Catholic
priest" he went on. that / have been obliged to
such language. / have invariably held that
actual want and poverty are caused by the people
themselves and that they are shiftless spend
thrifts or drunkards This time 1t Is different
Good honest families feeling It, The little they
and a result, in many homes this morning there
Is not much loaf OF bread.
Woe to the men who have brought this ABOUT.
a blight seems TO have fallen upon the country.
and for no apparent reason. There Is no panic,
at least there should be none. No disease is spread
ing among us. The prospects Of good crops were
never fairer and everything points TO a much
better spring than We have had In twenty years.
Now however, we are. and for at least two months
more will b.. face TO face with actual star
walton. Money Is not In circulation. The building
trades here at standstll. and men VINO
have the money bags tied up VIII not loosen
What has caused this condit!on?--the tricks OF
the bloodhounds who call themselves men; In
order 20 crush the unfortunate toier 'hey have
closed up factories and mills Industries have
been crushed. production curtailed. SO that pr.ces
may be forced up. NJ one feels this more than
year ne will be glad to take whatever wages the
bloodhounds are willing to Offer him.
Every dollar had" continued Father Ma
honey, feellngy. every cent we collected. day
after day. during the past week has been spent
to relieve the actual wants OF the moment. The
women attached to the church-the Sewing Society
all that they could. but the tide OF poverty Is SO
great that they cannot fight it back Neither DO
the Charity Commissioners seem able to d'al with
the distress. -,
IL want YOU 10 give every cent you can. he said.
ito prevent hundreds dying from starvation 40
not appeal TO the rich. l am AFRAID II would De
have for themselves but who also know what II
is 10 want. spare "a uttle. and show the world how
the poor can help The poor in the hour OF adHeFi
] the words they used TO me. FOR the love
OF God. help US: are starving 80
'T have only to repeat. give what you can Will
inely and give II quickly. 1t may be too late.
Of being one OF the most conservative priests In
Brookiyn For that reason his language created
considerable excitement. and aiterward me con, n
grega,ion gathered in groups outside the church TO
discuss IL.