New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-27
I.nbor Reform IN philadelphia.


their resolutions copy of which l enclose for
TIE Irl5vne All I viii say here of these move
ments is that they do not go to the source Of our
social evils, por do they propose an appropriate
remedy. propose to discuss them in the Trades
Moea=tnc, Z weekly journal started by the Print
ers' Union, to which wish the most complete
success as su advocate Of therghts OF endto abor.
My attention has been drectedto the fact that the
individuals who have earned $63 in > weeks as
1nachinists, at piece work have oyer.tesked ma,
ture, working almost night and day. Three intel
ligent iourneymen called upon me yesterday
evening, after reading my letter in which | allow
70 years to reduce the wages of machinists to an
average of s. per week, and they gayeit as their
deliberate opinion that the results predicted by
me will be fulfilled before the expiration OF 10
wears ut TIE furthest. In connection with this
matter OF improved machinery is another, namely
that of foreign laborers landing daily upon our
shores
Our cities are already filed to overfowing with
laborers; already there are too many shoem akers,
taiors, weavers, day laborers, spinners, book
binders, printers dyers, carpenters, stone cutters
&c. &c Now is it not clear that every fresh in
migrant vessel throwing from 100 to 100 persons
into an already oyerstocked labor market, must be
apositive injury to the mechanics already here
Everybody will admit that four out OF every hive
are too poor to push their way W est, except IN
der great disadvantages and privatlons, and as
matter OF stern necessity are compelled to remain
in our already overcrowded cities, entering into
fearful and deadly competition with our own me-
chanics Here is great and rapidly growing
evil Have the Trades Delegates proposed
remedy? Let there next Journal proclaim it to
the world if they have; for my object Is not to
create strife or disuniOn. but rather to promote
harmony and union. But then my union must be
made OF the most substantial materials, and not
rope ofsand It must rest uponthe rock Of princi'
pie These men who come among as, refugees
from despotsm, have, according to the laws OF
Nature and of God, the same inalienable rights as
ourselves. To seek for liberty and happiness Is
their business, and we have no CHARTER from
Heaven TO prevent them.
We must all see and acknowledge that under
the present arrangements Of society every add
tOnal immigrant labUrer is an injury to the resi-
dent laborer whether he be q native or natnr
allied citizen, because the advantages taken 6y
the employers of the surplus OF unoccnpled pro-
ducers are precisely similar to those taken by the
improvements in machinery. This is plain to
every candid mind. Where is the remedy point
ed ont by the Delegates Let them remember
that there are hundreds OF readers oil Tie TribHae
in this city who will ask similar questions For,
let it be borne in mind that we, AS Americans IN
feeling and in principle cannot ing imitation
we know that same Almighty hand has made al!
the children oil men.
now pass to the apprenticeship system. The
Printers. e1enpi grofia decide that only GER
tain number of boys shall be taken as apprentices;
the Hatters jewelers. Stone cutters, Sadders,
&c we will say act in similar manner
We Will suppose there are 10000 boys in Phi
adelphia, but under the new regulations of the
trades only $4,000 can be taken as apprentices.
VIII not the other 5000 consider themselves as
outlaws? VIII they not say-"W ell, Society
has made of US vagabonds and outcasts we
were willing TO learn trades, but the rules OF the
trades associations eX,,,v,.,y require that we
must be treated as outaws-that we must NOT
be permitted to be honest as they nave forced
the fearful and terrible alternative upon us ana
as we have no other refuge, we accept the ma.,
dreadful though it be. AS you have thrust US
from your bosoms as outcasts, we will tearfulIy
repay you. We will become thieves. fOotp ads,
burglars, robbers, dfunkards, gamblers, and, il
needs be, :nurderers. No crime shall shame u.s.
no danger OF punishment intimidate or appal US
we will live, no matter how. Why should we
blush for perpetratng crime, seeing that we are
forced to be vicousl Nay we rejoice in our
very infamy.' VIII not such be the practical
efforts of the new Trades regulations Have the
delegates looked atthls portion OF our movement!
say our movement, because, although the pres
entmethod adopted practically, prevents me from
ptispidlI III tlctl illp' rluthLSi tl
cordially sympalhlse with them in their under
taking
have now briefly shown what the three most
prominent causes are which tend to keep down
wages lhave not attempted propose aremedy.
| did not attend the mass meeting. Consequent
ly am unable to say whether or no the speakers
offered clear definite plan or SYSTEM by which
all may be employed under the existing Social
institutions how wages shall be raised and rents
lowered. Having said much upon the Trades
movement, now turn to another subject.
The Social improvement Society met on Sunday
afternoon last and held most interesting con-
versation upon the important question 4" Is this
nation benefited by an influx OF immigration p
In the evening Mrs Lucreta Mott delivered
most instructive lecture upon Reform. Other
speakers followed among whom were Messrs.
Ahern, Power, Phillips, Eddison, Banker. Coul-
son, Browne DUNCAN, Shedden and Warner.
Mrs. Mott gave great satisfaction. The hall,
Franklin, in Sixthst. near Arch was literally
sitting and standing, and composed as
it vas of ladies' and gentlemen noted Tor their IN
and responsibility must have been +
gratifying to the heart of every true Retormer.
There could not have been less than one thou
sand persons present. The sound practical, /
moral and religious instruction incucated here
every Sabbath afternoon and evening IS doing I
much good to the community. The same will be
discussed on next Sunday afternoon, and IN the
evening Mr. herrison will lecture upon Money,
Doctor Thomas Dunn English will lecture COZ.
corning Hungarian matters on Sunday the 22d
inst and Lucretia Mott concerning Womans
Rights upon the seth of December, Sabbath
evening Doctor Gleason, one OF our most emil
nent physicians, is also engaged TO give US
Course OF ectures The abest talent OF our City
is at our disposal and some OF our most eminent
citizens Say that we upon the right track.
Our debates are conducted upon the principles OF
kindness and moderation and everybody goes
away satisfied and edited.
circulation in Philadelphia. need hardly say
that rejoice at the fact, although am opposed
to its Tariff and Banking doctrines. 4
| will ii possible, in my next communication,
make some remarks upon Mr. W hitney's hail-
road scheme, as am certain that but few thor
There is one subject which appears to me Of