| Show LETTER FROM LONDON the first time since 1855 11 1 1 was the statement in the newspapers on new years yearns morning respecting the freezing over of the thames the thermometer had been down to seven degrees above zero in addition to over skaters in the parks there were fully that number on the thames and for miles they had a clear way before them bonfires and barbecues on the ice were also in order the accidents too were rather numerous and several boys and girls who ventured near to dangerous places were plunged into the chilling water never again to behold the light of day in mortality from the suburban districts come reports of people freezing to death a aud ud all through the city the poorer claws classes who ventured out either from choice or necessity clearly showed by their appearance that they were not entirely proof against the biting frost but in london the people dress better even in the lower ranks of life than in other parts of great britain there were many thousands clad in furs and warm clothing who were out to greet the new year cheerful and happy did they appear forming a strong contrast to the misery to be seen in the poorer quarters as they hurried to and fro on root foot or in the thousands of vehicles that hasten in either direction one place that seemed of special interest was st pauls and shortly before midnight the space in front of the cathedral was occupied by thousands who were apparently waiting some particular event there were all classes of society and each member of the motley crowd seemed to vie with the other in making mak ing the air ring with sounds of every description then the bells pealed forth their mel odmand the noises from below arose in perfect pandemonium the multitude had assembled to welcome the new year tear and when the bells ceased their ela clanging nging the din became so great that the striking of the heavy gong in the old clock could scarce be heard as it tolled the hour that marked the transition from the old year to the new this was the most notable event in the metropolis and that because of the disagreeable disturbance to welcome 1891 for christmas is by far the best observed holiday turning to another picture the first of the year finds a peculiar state of things among the industrial classes in the british capital A mania for strikes seems to dave broken out among them and while a great efort ort is being made to steady the movements of ef the laboring men it now looks as though it ft would avail but little there are strikes by railway employee emp loyes by dockers by colliers weavers and in almost every ewery branch of business till employers know not where the next blow will be struck politicians are beginning to take the matter in hand band not with a view to quieting the feelings exhibited but rather to seize the opportunity port 1 to be carried forward to fame fion e by the tide of popular opinion as an manifested by the masses manes the rights of the wei is now the cry but as yet it is spoken carefully so that the capitalist and monopolist will not be turned into a political lotical foe even home rule bids fair mir to soon take a place second to the labor question in british politics the scheme set out in booths in darkest england is already having an experience with breakers which won place it in a sorry plight mr smith resigned his position as mana ager of the social reform wing of the salvation army then the public public began to ask tor for the reason as it t was known that to mr smiths ability was largely due the success which had bad attended the army ardys Is place of refuge A after after fter considerable prodding the ex commissioner gave as ae the cause of his action that to such a pus pass have things come that an lu independent dependent opinion cannot be allowed in the salvation army on any subject the generall generalli I was next approached by those who were giving him support and who wanted to know what financial system would be followed mr booth told them he was going to run it according to his own ideas and to do it himself he wanted no help but money and no interference at all he refused to accept any ar ran gement which would modify his bis power or compromise bib status as the solitary and autocratic head bead of the movement in all its parts and all its developments his motto do as you are told and dont argufy 3 and be did not propose to change by tousent ing to account to anybody this was too boo much for the non salvationists and out of the scheme they went now instead of warm commendations of booth and his scheme from the pulpit the public are told that booth is an irresponsible power and his plan inferior to the combination of charitable societies that are arb now keeping the wolf from the conr of hundreds of thousands suds notwithstanding the fact that we are 4 across the big pond there is considerable sid erable interest taken in the american indian question the dispatches about the fighting paint everything in glowing colors for the troops and commend them for their promptness and bravery but the results of the conflict at porcupine creek created an impression that there might be something that was not heroic in the murder of women and children the rhe effect of this was to cause inquiry and three days after the first accounts of the battle came uncle sams blue costs coats are spoken of with tenfold more detestation than was awarded them praise at the outset the london standard makes this pointed comment on the cause of the disturbances and the spirit that animated those engaged in the awful butchery the bithe dispatches of wednesday say that in the fighting at porcupine creek one hundred and ten indian warriors and two hundred and fifty women and children were killed and that not more than six children remained alive in the indian camp if this report be true it is a disgrace to the american soldiers which no provocation can condone indians indiana are execrated as monsters of cruelty when they murder the families of white settlers but it appears that the white soldiers are botone not one whit less lees barbarous their idea being obviously one of extermination americans covet the few tracts of land left to the poor indians indiana and it is to this covetousness that the whole of the present disturbances are due clue J the boast of enlightenment and progress in american civilization is a mor mockery kery when tested by the atrocious crimes oom com bitted by the united states under the cloak of governmental authority there has been much discussion among ministers and promoters of charity organizations regarding the poor of london some cases of starving to death have occurred and the burden ot of poverty bears heavy not alone on those who are improvident but on many who would willingly labor if they could find the opportunity to gain a livelihood appeals for aid are issued by various districts of which the following from the southeast end of the metropolis is but a sample upon the south side of the thames in the districts of bermond sey and down to deptford depthford Dept ford the privation and suffering ring especially of women and children caused by lack of work through the weather is terrible strong mena rein enforced idleness compelled to see their families absolutely without food we do not ask help for the lazy but for those who would much rather have work than charity f in another district wandsworth wands worth on wednesday a body of men paraded the streets with collection boxes asking for money food or anything to alleviate the poverty and distress of themselves and families they were out of employment and funds and could not secure either unless it was by begging the police warned the men that they were liable to arrest but they continued on their way finally the police interfered and checked them mr denman the magistrate was waited upon and said the police would have to enforce the law against begging he said he regretted that they were so badly off but could not sanction a disregard of the statutes the men then went to the relieving officer of the workhouse to see whether he could render them assistance for a brief time he told them they could enter the work workhouse honse but they refused to do so as paupers haupers pau pers and returned to the court the magistrate informed them he would render aid and upon each one giving his name and ad address drees and receiving assum assurance nee that the assistance sta si would be prompt they departed these instances are indications of the deplorable condition into which both tradesmen and laborers are being crowded by force of circumstances the seeds of discontent with the present condition of society are implanted in their breast to grow and develop amid privations which render men desperate in their struggle for existence lat edice who can tell what the harvest will be J H A LONDON jan 3 1801 1891 |
