New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-27
LABOR MOVEMENTS.

The OMNIBUS DRIVERS "A meeting OF the
Omnibus Drivers took place at Military Hall In
the Bowery on Friday evening. the 24th inst
The meeting was called to order by appointing
ADRIAN RELAY, Chairman, and IRA b. DAVIS,
Secretary. A Committee was appointed to secure
q larger room, as one half of the persons who
came could not find seats. No further business
was done until the Committee returned who re-
ported the corner of Houston and Allen SITS. as
suitable place for the meeting, and on motion, the
meeting repaired to said place. The Chairman
then stated that the drivers had been called TO.
gether by DIR. King, who sympathised with them
on account Of the onerous toll they have to per.
form, and the poor reward they received therefor.
He would therefore advise them to call up DR..
King to explain the motive he had in calling them
together. The meeting approving OF said PROPOSE
ton, DIR. King came forward and addressed il at
considerable length reviewing the evils suffered
by the drivers, and showing the necessity OF
Association on their part in order to protect
themselves and families in the hour Of Sickness,
and when unemployed. The substance of the
plan OF Association he offered was 10 the effect,
that fund be created by payments of small
sums by the drivers, aud appeal be made TO
the proprietoIs Of Tbeaters, Museums, aud other
places OF amusement, Whose prosperity is much
enhanced by the services of said Drivers for sub.
scrptions. The address was listened too with
the greatest attention, and the speaker was
warmly applauded
The plan was received, and motion was then
made to adopt, when
j. b. Davis addressed the meeting upon the
subject. He said this was the third time the
Drivers had shown a disposition TO emsncipate
themselves from the slavsh system under which
they labored, and he hoped that they would prove
themselves equal to the task, and thereby COM
mand the respect OF men as well as enjoy few
OF the advantages and social comfort realized by
those who labor for themselves. He said there
mn auok 10 oIt Ia 81 n. t.x
but to his mind there needed to be something
more done than the mere organization OF
benevolent association. There was a plenty
OF that kind of associations already. He
thought the gentleman made a mistake In sup.
posing that the interest OF the propretors and the
drivers could be united under the present sys
TEN. The only means Of effecting such a con-
summation was by uniting them in one and the
same person These were the times for bold and
vigorous measures being taken by the working
classes, in order to prevent direful calamities
befslliDg the working classes here az had thinned
the population Of Ireland in '4e. The people did
not starye because the land would not produce
enough to sustain them, bat it was because the
land and other property was in the hands of a
few, and when they demanded high rents and
prices, and refused to employ and pay living
wages TO the poor. He would therefore urge the
Drivers to organize with the Coach Drivers, and
form business as well as a benevolent society,
and thus lay the foundation of emancpa ting
themselves from this heisb system Of plumber and
individual competition These remarks were
warmly approved.
The following resolutions were then adopted:
ResOved That the Drivers OF Eew-York are hereby ear
nesuy Solicited 10 unite for the purpose Of protection
against The ssvsh tendency Of the present system Of tho
ResOsed, That fully persuaded OF the necessity OF
uncn on The part OF all classes Of working prevent
the horrors Of poverty being the last Of all who depend
upon the capitalist TOR employment
Resolved, That we regard tbs organization Of trading
a. well as benevolent association the only safety
against system Of Slavery whose ulimate effects
plainly shadowed forth worse than chatte bondage
hesoteed That ard equality Of rights and opportu
mites a. the only basis upon which Society can rest
be productive OF happiness, virtue and wisdom.
Resoved That form ourselves into an association for
mutual protection In time Of sickness and TO establish
business by which we may ultimately employ ourselves
Re'oired That Committee be appointed 10 dram plan
Of association.