Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-20


To the Editor of the Pegister.
Sir: Wheeling enjoys, and the term
is used adyisedly, widespread repute
among the tramp fraternity as one of
the toughest propositions that the con-
tinent affords for a hobo to run up
against.
This is not so much because the
Bulls, l. e. police, keep systematic
nomad, as that the consequence of ar
rest and Incarceration are SO terrible.
Among its metropolitan adjuncts
and cons tituting an indictment of such
pretension at all is its workhouse-
and God save the mark and mis-
homer
Language experiences its utter help
lessness, and mental conception of the
widest flights Of imagination honor
ward is discounted when the condi-
lions prevalent at the Wheeling work.
house invite attempted description.
There are annual conferences of an
international association of workers
in the direction OF charities and cor
rection; there are societies for prison
reform, there are individuals whose
lives are consecrated to the reforma-
ton of the drunkard. An ex-presi-
dent, Hayes, often presided over a
great assem- blage OF the worlds phil
anthropy porsonified, which dispersed
fondly hoping that their influence had
ameliorated dealings with the erring,
but they knew not of the unspeakable
abomination maintained by a city OF
such pretension as Wheeling under the
name Of a municipal workhouse.
Let us undress the monstrosity and
hold 1t up in all its revolving naked
ness to worldwide shame and in
fanny.
A wretched old ramshackle shed,
which wise farmer would reject for
shelter of lot of scrub stock, was Sc
lected as an emergency facility for
soup-house service during the panic Of
'73. For even that transient purpose
it was regarded as unsuitable. About
80, as the story goes, the growth of
the city made it desirable~.tfat some
more drastic punishment than mere
jail confinement with good rations
should be desired for the developing
tough element and SO that wisdom of
The city in council misrepresented de-
termined to convert the long diSused
old soup joint INTO a workhouse, and
thereafter up to the present writing
such has been it's use.
Imprimis, just a pen picture of
it's exterior aspect, a comparison sug-
gested to the mind reminiscent of
travel in the Southern States Is years
after The war, is that OF an old four
L- in, a
back woods of Georgia, which inquiry
developed to be an old slavery time
tabernacle of the bondsmen long since
abandoned under happier conditions Of
freedom.
The Georgian shack stood on level
ground and did not, as does that used
by Wheeling, stand downhill-ward at
an angie of at least IS degrees. Its
walls and roof did net more yawning-
ly invite intrusion of piercing wind
and descending rain as does the Wheel
ing wcrkhouse, and from every point
of view even in a ruined and abandon
ed state, favorably compared with it.
am signing this article, and if the
publisher of the Register should so de-
sire will make affidavit to every detail
contained therein
charge: First, that the so-called
work house, so far from correcting de-
bauches and depraved unfortunates
committed to it, that any man with a
single remnant of refinement or sensi-
bility committed to it, emerges robbed
of that and perhaps ready TO forever
more remain at the level to which the
city has brought him.
Second, that the unspeakable aggre-
cation of roughly thrown together tim
Der is saturated to the innermost pores
of each plank with filth terminating
hotbeds for the propagation of every
form of bacteria and microbic source of
contagious disease that human flesh is
heir to.
Third: That disgusting and loath-
some parasites so uncontrollaOly
abound in the shape of lice, bed bugs
and reaches, that the unfortunate in
mates find no possibility of refreshing
sleep by day or night, but have to ac-
tually contend with these insects for
the untainted passage of food from
hand to mouth. 4 common expression
is, by Gee, believe | chewed a bed
bug that time"
This is case that makes exaggera-
ton impossible. Vermin so abound
that mathematics would be driven to
multiplied Ion of cyphers for their
enumeration.
Finally that discipline or attempt at
enforced cleanliness or equitable rela-
ton of The inmates is not attempted
Right has no standing there save
as it may be enforced by physical
might. Inmates adapt themselves to
their inebriating conditions and sur
roundings. The better nature. howev-
er small it's surviving remnant in every
creature there. shrinks away abashed
before the appalling degradation of his
condition. The worst finds expression
and applause.
The grossest aspects Of selfishness.
obscenity, profanity, lewdness of ex-
preston and action find encourage
ment and applause.
An utterly deplorable. disgusting and
reprobate condition obtains and any
man or his son, or his brother or his
cherished friend is liable to the pollu-
ton of such an experience while this
unspeakable cesspool is permitted to
remain as blot upon the fair fame of
this city and an indictment of 10Th
century Christian civilization.
Sweetly disposed ladies. and men
with consecrated purpose to carry mes
sages of hope to the unfortunate, make
stated visits to this chamber of hor-
rOrS No dOubt thay 90 away saddauo6