The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-01
COMMUNICATIONS.
ron THE PILOT.
look AT, BUT D0N'T
READ. THIS.

PRINCIPLES VERSUS PRACTICE.
We are told that Mr. Buchanan and file adj
minSstration are not in favor of the reduction of
wages say we, for I assure you all 1 get is
by the sweat of the brow but let me tell you
fact which came under my observation. A nuai-
Der of our best mechanics were induced by fair
promises to leave this, their native place. for the
navy station at Gosport, Va. After having re-
moved their families to the above named place,
and working for some two OF three years at the
wages given, on the 10Th of last September, an
order is given by those exclusive friends to the
mechanic and poor man, to reduces the pay OF tAe
ship carpenters 81 cents per day; boat builders
62a; black smitlas, 37l; sail-maHers, %; paint
ers. 25 cents, and all the other worisnen in like
proportion, (without once saying, boys, will you
work for a less sunny and this very order ISSUED
before any of the master mechanics throughout
the country had made such request OF their
workmen. We find those very men who profess
to be opposed to reduction of wages, set tbs ex-
ample in the navy yard. Oh! consistency thou
art jewel.
And, again, in the above order, there was not
a single penny taken off of the master workInen's
wages in the respective departments, all of 'Fiem
are getting $3.50 or 81 per day, but it must oose
from those who were getting much less sum3and
from necessity were compelled to take what was
offered. or let their wives, mothers, and little
ones suffer, for there is no chance of getting
work from private citizens there. These are
facts, my fellow mechanics and challenge conf
tradiction.
Once more.-We are told that there is not ors
currency for the People, and another for Office
Holders Have we not seen an order from the
tepower's that be-" to pay members OF Congress
off in specie; and, at that very time, the Govern
ment were paying the mechanics, as aboye
stated, with paper; well, to prove the fact,
there was an established rule to sell the poor
mechanic and laborer at this yard, the condemn
cd wood, torn from the ships under repair, for
the sum of 25 cents per small cart load
have seen the poor laborerreceive his pay
to-day at that yard, in Virginia. bank notes, and
all fractional sums less than one dollar, in
check dated U. s. Navy Yard, Gosport, Va, and
on the morrow, have seen these same checks
refused in payment for loadSof rotten wood;
and he was compelled to go to asbroker and get
it shaved at the rae of ten or twelve per cent.
to get specie, although paid off the day before in
rags Oh! honesty, honesty, where can you be
found! And, further, those very men who have
been treated thus, have sent memorial after me-
mortal, Tor the ten hour systemj- Qor they have
been worked from sun to sum- and have as often
been refused, until the 1st of last April, on the
eve of the Virginia election, when the party in
power begaIr to find their cause requiring sup
| port, an order is sent from Washington, signed
| by the President, granting the ten hour system
| to 'sthose under my immediate authority"
| After so long delay, my fellow mechanics,
will you, after knowing such facts as the above,
support man, or such set of men, who profess
one thing and carry out another? | hear you
answer, noF defy, challengScontradictio to
one assertion made above. Believe me your
friend. A WORKING MAN.