The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-05
CHICAGO'S MISERABLES.
0ssRRyATIoNs ANOAG THE DBssI-
1UTK ~ 1aE WHIrE ofTX.
Many Appalling scenes Witnessed Ia tho
Populous "City Of sofrow"-Reai
Incidents Recorded.



mighty rugged. ragged giant with a
kind heart but uncontrolled and uncneck-
ed in "A life OF Bacchanalian revels. Chi
cago Is cosmopolitan with a vegeance.
Perhaps representatives Of every nation
Of the globe walk her thoroughfares
enjoying equal rights with Americans. and
as free as the zephyrs that Kiss our
smiling plains. They are selfish and de-
dant They want your money; that's
all. You never hear the word beg par
don" or excuse me" on the streets OF
Chicago. II you get knocked down and
run over In the mad. frenzed rush for
pelf you can get up and feel thankful
that you are stlll living. IL Is an impo-
lite. uncauuy and veual set that one en-
counters on the business streets OF the
Windy City.
There are however, two redeeming
features I'm them. which viii commend
them, possibly. 10 Nirginians. They are
strictly business. and are proud OF the
city IN which they live. Even the pea
nut vender on the street corners will
smile when you refer 20 Chicago as
great city especially II you will descend
20 disregard truth enough 20 say that
she Is ahead Of New York. II is said that
ChicagOans are so jealous Of Gotham that
they are rebelious because the sun rises
an hour earlier in that city than II does
in Chicago. old Sol. however. will con-
tinue TO override their demurrer.
The Destitute of Chicago.
But Il Is Of Chicago's poor that / started
out 70 write or course. as in every city,
("the poor ye have with you always,D
ChicagO's Is afflicted, or blessed with an
abundance OF those miserable wretches
- Sc
the case they are punched and they can
be found on what IS known as the
North side" Technically speaking, this
is not the stun Of Chicago where crime
and vice hold high carnival. These
guided palaces Of sin flourish IN chicago
as ala the green bay tree OF old, but
enough has been said Of them
Go In an almost opposite direction from
that locality Far away from the holy
sanctuaries where the pealing anthems
swell the note Of praise, and you are IN
the abode Of Les Miserables.' where
poverty cometh as one who traVeleth'
and want as an armed man. rev
strangers pass that way, and there is
little about II 10 attract the casual
visitor. but within the confines or this
caravansary Of chill penury are scenes
OF reality and life sufficient to make
those with a spark of pity IN their Souls
weep tears Of blood. To you whose
charities are bounded by your own IN
dividuality and who satisfy yourselves
with the idea that you are not your
brothers keeper. l beseech you 10 pause
in your unvarying struggle Tor ser ana
reflect iron the fact that times mysie-
rious mutations has placed countess
thousands OF your fellow men In posi-
ton where life is banetul burden anu
existence a double death.
Many appalling scenes greeted me as
I hurried through this populous CITY OF
sorrow" Many Of the spectacles were
too revolving for publication, some OF
which win only be revealed before the
Judgment Bar OF God.
The First Two Incidents.
On the steps OF a dirty. dingy, OLD mover
containing only two windows, WIN olu
rags for panes sat an errand boy, per
hans thirteen years OF age. smoking
cigarette and expectoraung almost ihces-
sanity BY his side rested a bundle on
the ton OF which was a black borde cred
envelope. The inference is obvious. mat
bov was wasting his employers time. and
the effect OF that constant eXPectorauon
upon his youthful constitution may easily
b. imasined He will doubtless spit nm
self into an early grave and some gooo
doctor will have I'm his report In bolu
letters, consumption
In flthy garbage cart which had been
standing at least an hour in front OF
house lying upon his back. was a sloth-
fui-looking driver fast asleep. The pa |
tient horse stood. now and then turning |
his weary head toward the cart, as II in |
wonder az the laziness Of the driver who |
snored complacently. I imagine that TEL |
low going to his home 20 be met by his |
wife and children. mis- very presence a |
stencil. his clothes reel1ing with garbage, |
his hair nostened with Nth, I'm short |
his very existence a curse to his family |
and a disgrace to mankind.
\ Disgusting enc.
little farther on. my attention was at
tracted by diabolical laughter and loud. |
profane and immoral conversation. The /
sounds came from low, greasy-looklng |
aroe-shop A dozen or more men, all OF |
whom had reached middle-life, except /
two. were seated around an old riekety !
table which bore several empty beer /
bottles The floor was covered with saw
dust. made fast 10 the floor with tobacco |
Juice and other fluids which had been |
thrown or split upon 1T. 1t was in the |
forenoon. These men had not been 10 |
work they were not ON their way 10
work but were content TO remain In mat
miserable den and waste the day IN ldle-
ness and debauchery.
The impression produced upon my ulinu'
which ] believe Is charitably disposed as
a rule, was that OF inefable disgust AT
the Dirt the uncanniness. the dlsresaru
OF All sanitary and cleanly regulations ana
the appearance Of observation-disclosures
manifested by the entire group. There Is
no one that has a higher regard Tor the
honest worlingman than myself, hehce'
let not the casual reader attempt any
demagog,n appeal over my head. draw
a very great distinction between honest
endeavor and careless slackness indicative
OF dishonest work.
These men are dishonest. They are
not honest with themselves. man who
can sleep comfortably. enjoying his
s!esta In a swill cart is not honest 20
himself. He certainly is not thoughtful OF
his wife nor careful OF his children. we
are told that the human body is the
temple OF God the Father II would be |
A Borry day for God the Father TO enter !
any such temple as these disporting them |
selves In this Chicago slum and hell.
What Ia the result? Lake breeds like. /
The children OF these fellows will have the |
same dirty habits. wifi be contented with |
the same flthy surroundings. The fount-
ain cani.ot rise higher than its source, !
and when an exception occurs and some |
man born OF this uncanny class. rises |
above his condition and makes himself |
felt. man above men, he is noted |
throughout his state. the country and |
possibly the world.
Whence came these men7 What powers !
sent individuals with tastes susceptible OF
such degradation into world so beauti- |
ful so fair? IL may be part OF the great |
Creators plan that thousands OF under |
Drained human beings shall float like
ecum upon an uncared for pond until 4