New-York daily tribune., 1851-05-29
LABOR REFORM.
F. R. DELEGATE.
A Disgraceful Evil.


Allow me to direct your attention to an
aspect Of the labor question: which, though not before
publicly exposed and stigmatized, Imeets with gen.
eral condemnation from the very numerous class who
are made to feel the evils which result from it. It
supererogatory to inform many of your readers that
it is customary in this city for employers to make
satisfactory settlements the Saturday night; but
there are .others who read this paper, to whom
knowledge of the circumstance may be somewha'
startling, and who may, when the case is stated lend
no nconsiderable help to effect an object which in
the minds of many is very desirable and thoroughly
necessary TO improve the condition Of a large body
working men.
/ have not had very xtensye acquaintance with
the employers Of New York. There are, am sure
others better able TO state the evil of which complain
and illustrate Its working by examples more forclble
than any can offer. But il with me as 1t has been
with many-that after hearing complaints and expe
rcncng many OF the annOyanceS that call for remedy
] am obliged IN the absence of a more competent per-
son, TO do the best can. Indeed, would never care
to insert line IN a newspaper If could find another
who not only felt my sentiments, but expressed them
have worked for about six months IN tins city,
during hiCh time have experienced so much incon-
venlence from the defetve mode OF paying wagcsthat
feel deeply impressed with the belief that there Is
no refOrm-nOt even sanitary refom-which more ur-
gently needs the cooperation OF mechanics, and the
aid OF every honorable person. 70 effect remedy,
than this nqultOuS SyStem-fOr such 1t Is IN It's re-
suits. With many employers 1t IS customary on
Saturday night to pay their workmen from 80 to SO
would not have quite so strong an Objection 10 THIS
system If the money withheld received interest, or If
an employer, cOnceivng workman had, by his
weekly investment, assumed something Of the cha
raceT OF partner was more generous or rather Just,
In the price he paid for his WORK. But neither takes
place there is no interest, and the disposition is
more TO reduce wages than to increase them. In
such places these, the wOrkmanlS eternaly obliged
10 expose his necessities, by begging, al regular IN
teryas, extra few dollars To stranger there Is
nothing more annoying than tins system IN his eyes,
II is little less than borrowing for the boss. by his
manner, takes care to make the man feel his position
acutely. In many places, settlement takes place
for years, the employer having perhaps. couple OF
hundred dollars in his pocket from each man. which
IS highly Serviceabe to his business and enables hun
all the sooner to make aiOrtune while the mechanc
is paving an enormous yearly rent for his lllyentl-
lated and unwhOleSOme apartments. because he has
not his money in hand TO purchase a house have
heard II said that, although the workman receives
phrase OF direct and indirect" - too often luYgcd
into the service Of great deal OF tOmfoolery. There
is but one interest served by the system, and the
boss" knows whose that Is.
But, unjust and unsatisfactory as tins mode OF pay
ing wages is there is CLOVER deep" far beneath H.
In this city, there are hundreds OF employers who
have no idea that the labOrer Is worthy OF ms hre
As know TO my cost. Many men never think oi pay
ing more than a couple of dollars for weeks WORK,
although, perhaps, ten has been earned OtnerS
never pay any wages There Is a numerous class
(chefly composed of printerSl who carry on business
in tins disreputable style Every week, numbers OF
them, that they come here strangers and are taken
in" Ignorant OF the character of the employers III
their several trades, they are unable to exercise that
care IN the selection OF places wherein 10 "oIA
which resident is able 10 do, and which saves MN
from many Sharpers. The cOuntryman at once goes
To work as as employment offers lseii, not iof
moment SuSpectlng thatsn unfair advantage VIII oe
taken of him These latter are the men who STOCK the
shops OF many VIGOROUSLY dishonest employers IN
New York After month, the poor fellows Bet
starved out when the leave 10 make room for tresh
vic | * N unnecessary
evils consequent upon this system, 0y any reference
TO the hardships endured. Any one who deyotes the
least consideration to the subject VIII perceive ther
nature immediately for these foreign mechanics
have most of them, been reared in an atmosphere o
honesty, and rather than resort TO that system OF re-
priSalS which Is forced upon naive artlSuS oi tvn
SUindling EMPLOYERS, they are wiling 10 Sd'Tlhcc
(and do) every article OF value and dSpenSaOie com
fort 10 pay their way win. ,.. a.,
Ii has been said that 1t Is the LATEST uhhs III lIe
world To expose an evil point uS out remedy
and we Will thank YOU" say people. In the present
case / am inclined to think the cure Is very apparent
being simply the adoption OF TAR play ana average
honesty in the relation OF the employers Win iiS
workmcn and / pledge the master Who tries the
action of such a system for six months that ne Will
of the two find his pocket rather improved 'hdh o'u
erwiSe, beside possessing the pleaS0TaDle leehlS o'
one dnY being able TO associate with honorable men
am not acquainted with the character OF tle law o,
tins State for the recovery Oi wages out II y @ ncIu
altogether inadequate as means oi REDRESS oy efet1
artisan of my acquaintance. Having been more IMAM
usually exaSperated on two or three occasions oy 'c
mean crattineSS of employers, had determines ~
appeal 10 the law hut other men VINO nave >ousH
The same means of redress, without deriving the
smallest success advised me 1t would be better 10
resi- where was AS would probably, only oQfn my
fingers. as others had done before me. Inc law VI
WAGES should not be of this character. To De gooi
Law II should be clear IN its expression, easily "GceS-
shle and prompt and direct IN ltS execution IL II
the duty OF every working man 10 use ms eAeI'lois
for the passing of some such law, and every honest
employer must feel himself cOnSclentouSiy bound
20 aud the effort
ApologiSng Tor the length OF tins letter ana So
hctyns Mr. Editor vour aid IN correcting the evils
haNr hni barely limited. remain Very O0edlently,