New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-23
Nsru'1lurk Dailu Gribune
PUBLIC MEEIZNGlG
THE wORKINGMEN AND THE MAYOR.

THE WORKINGMEN AND THE MAYOR.
meeting Of the unemployed workngmen WAS
held In the Park yesterday morning, and after several
sadresses in which the Commissioner of Streets and
Repairs was accused of psrtiaity in employing one
ret Of men on the old ruins Of the City Hall three days
in succession contrary 10 the orders Of Mayor Wood,
who Instructed him to employ new men daily, and the
Mayer app snded for the many kindnesses he has
showI toward tho workinRmeD. q Committee OF sI
was appointed 10 wait o. his Honor, and lay their
grievances before him. The Committee consisted of
Me following named persons: CHARLES Smith, Richard
NcGsrvin and John Gsffney who, followed bv the
workingmen 10 the number Of about three hundred,
proceeded TO the Msyor'r Office completely block
sdiUg hfare leading thereto % reach
ng tn Mayors Office they introduced the nsdves to
Col Ming, bia private clerk to whom they stated that
hey we're a Committee, aopointed b. the working
men to wait on bic Honor, and see what the prospee"
were for the workiosmen procuring sun'ci-nt VOL
condition Mr. Ming took their nAmes snd hsaded
th.mto the Mayor who invited them into his priv stC
Office.
Air SMITH the man who piled bricks half day for
6f,x cents on bebsIf Of tie Committee, addressed
The Mayor in substance as follows:
"Your Honor We have been appointed a commit
tee from the workDgmen in the Park to day to wait
Or you and request you If possible to use your Ell
forts in procuring work for us, that we may buy
bread for our families. Most Of us are without
nopsu &C csevisoDs Of any kind for either ourselves,
clothes stand in left-hsvng been obliged either
70 pawn or cell nearly everything In possession TO
keep ne from starving. We can get soup BY going to
the soup bouses; but We DO not want chsrity-we
want work, which willing TO perform. We
have waited on Mr. Purdy, the Commissiooer Of Re-
pairs and Supplies ard he informs that he will
probably have work for az IN about three weeks,
before which time, unless we procure something to
do We .hs all he beyond the need of work or food.
We know thsf Won have done much for US, and would
have given all work had you been able TO do 90, bat
the City Charter has inferfered with your doing;
and now what we ask vs. that you will use your fur
tb.r influence in compelling the Commissioner Of Re-
pairs lno Supplies in doing as you requested him to
= dc by not empo, ing the ssme set OF men daily II
We can in this manner procure an occasional days
work ~e may manage 10 live along and procure food
for families until spring. when we are in hopes Of
seeing better times
Mayor WooD received and listened to the Commit
tee sttentively. When they had concluded. he re-
piled in substance, ss follows:
Gentlemen-I feel deeply for your situations, and
can assure You that had | the power l would give
every one OF you employment. l had hoped that
could hsve employed from 600 10 6 900 men on the
Reservoir this time, but the Charter has pro
ventec me from doing, without violating my oath
Of Office. A. the next best thing left for to do
was to employ many men on the runs OF the old
Guy Hsll the charter would allow without any
violation Of il on my part, l ordered Mr.. Purdy TO
employ 1875 ulep daily in tearing down the runs Of
the old City Hall these men to be changed daily
which thought would give each man a days work
every week. This order supposed Mr.. L. bad com
phed with, up TO this time. assure you that
have no possible means Of giving employment to
more thar this number ard nv advice to you now is
to go ~ Committee 10 Mr.. p aud ask 10 be set to
work t. morrow morning, for which request you have
The nuiborits To use my naue.
The Committee then len and proceeded /, Mr..
Pnroys Office, where they made their errand
krc~n He replied that slsrge number Of nsmes had
beer entered on bic books ahead Of them bat tina, he
would iste 'heir rsm.. and hcrea TO give them two
days work by WedDesOa, or Friday next. He also
stated that he Kept each gang OF men two instead Of
dsy in order give them an opportunity Of earn
inc o. instead Of 81.
rtis reuy satisfied the Committee, who in common
9TH the work who bad appointed the H. regis
'ersa their names and left the efiics