Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-15
statement OF the CrOton Water Work
Contractors.

deepest surprise and sstonishment the recent nu-
merous statements that have appeared in the columns
Of various public journals, printed in the city OF
New York and elsewhere, calculated to msiniorm
and prejudice the community, in relation to the late
Of repeated violence and force, perPetrated by
the men in employ: And so necessary has 1t be-
TO disabuse the public mind upon this subject,
and TO correct the erroneous impressions that have
gone abroad calculated to njure us in our business
relations that at length compelled, although
with the greatest reluctance, TO publish VindIca-
ton Of actions, and statement OF all the mate
rial circumstances with the disordsrly and
rio,ous conduct which has occurred upon the whole
line of the works under our charge.
We were at first disposed to permit these misre'
presentations pass unnoticed; and perhaps should
have done So had their operation and consequence
been confined to alone. But when our conduct
and motives are grossly perverted, as to coasi-
tute the foundation and for acts of the most
nprovoked violence, and even bloodshed, accompa
MED with threats of the destruction Of life, and the
actual humiliation of property, feel it TO be sa-
cred duty, imposed upon us by the civil and polit-
cal relations which we occupy IN society, Is expose
the origin and faithful history Of the almost unprece.
denied attempt that has been openly made, by COM
bnation Of brute force, to into compliance
with terms, in such utter and notorious violation Of
the laws, and Of our rigats American citizens.
The sole, the only reason that is all ged by the
men lately in our employ for refusing TO work, and
for the riotous proceedings in which they are en-
gagged is that the wages offered too low; and that
they ought receive dollar instead Of six shil-
lings per day.
Ifthis is made the subject Of grievous complaints
now, how much more justly could it have been made
ia 1887. AT that time the two first lettings were
made to at higher prices than at any subsequent
period and the statements which have appeared that
our contracts were entered into hen wages W ere
high aad that we still continue TO employ labor
at the rate, are entirely false, and without
the slightest foundation which is easily by the
fact, that during the summer of that year we paid
only six shillingS-the same price which we now
offer and during the winter of 1857 and g. and up
to the first Of April Of the latter year, paid but
five shl ngs per day. From that period to the FIRST
Of Jaly following, six shilli was again paid and
fore that time the contracts upon the first, second,
nd third divisions Of the works were all taken,
without the least anticipation of advance in wages
being demanded.
But the fact Of our contracts having been taken
under these circumstances has not prevented us
from paying our men more than contemplated !;
and we have never refused to pay them as much as
From the first Of July until the fall of 1898, we
paid one dollar, and sometimes nine shillings per
day while, during the winter Of that year, and Of
1899, from five to six sAiilings only was given
From April, 1889, until November of that yer, we
again paid dollar, and since that period have
cont nued to pay six shiliings
In 1887, as is well known, provisions ofevery kind
were very high-the medium price Of -four then be-
ing eleven dollars per barrel, and that Of pork
eighteen; while, for some time past, il is notorious
that all the cesaries Of life have BEEN compare
lively, much lower and yet, notwithstanding these
circumstances, at present so favorable to the la
boring classes have paid, during the past winter
high, and even higher wages, than in 1887; and,
in mentioning this, the means by which we have
been compelled to raise money should not be forgot
ten for they to show the peeuniary embarrass
ments under which we have laboured, and which,
upon every principle oil equity and common Justice,
would have long since authorised us in reducing the
wages Of our men below what now effer
From the first OF July 1882 until the first of March
1910, we were obliged to receive in payment upon
our contracts corporation bonds aud these we were
compelled to dispose Of at rate Of discount varying
from three to eight per cent. And yet, under all
these circumstances are held up before the pub
lie the most hardened oppressors, while sympathy
and pity are extended 10 those who have outraged
the most binding and sacred laws.
As the proceedings Of the rioters upon the " orks
and the preliminary measures that led to them, have
either through ignorance or a determination TO mis-
represent, been greatly perverted, we will briefly
notice them.
In a mmunicatisn that recently appeared in the
Sunday Morning Neos IL is stated that the Iaborers
we're compelled to board with us, agents, at
$3.50 per week and that they have been obliged 10
purchase from all the necessaries of life, such
provisions, groceries, clothes, etc, at the most
orbitsnt prices.
These statements are wholly untrue, and without
the least foundation, for the have always board
ed wherever they have preferred and in no case
have they been compelled to purehase pr visions
etc, from us, except in few instances, where IL
was made portion Of the agreement by which they
were hired; and this has arisen solely from the
we're embarrassments under which we have for some
time past labored in procuring money.
In the communication to which we.have referred,
il was alse stated, that on the I'd Of April, $780,
large meeting Of the workmen was held, and con-
mittee appointed for the purpose of requesting an
increase OF their wages. We are entirely ignorant
Of any such meeting; and il it took place stated