New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-02
THE WORKINGMEN.

In another column will be found the proceed
ings Of meeting Of the mechanics and working
men of this City held last evening in the Park.
They take strong ground against the cleaning Of
the streets OF the City by contract, and ayOw
Partially for the present order of things. under
which, as they contend, fair and equitable
wages are paid TO workingmen, aud the streets
kept cleaner than they ever were before. They
are opposed to the contract system generally,
and characterize it as one of the greatest evils
against which lsbor has to contend; a serious
burden on the taxpayer; operating "for the
" benefit Of corrupt politicians and contractors
." who live and grow fat on public plunder and
the earnings Of honest labor" They say fur
Their, that while in theory the system presends
to be based on economy, all experience shows
that under il for the most profigate expendi-
ture of money the City gets the worst work.
Under the last contract for cleaning the streets
the work was paid for twice over-once t. the
contractors and a second time TO the working.
men who were called in to perform the work
neglected by the contractors.
The wOrkiDgmen are, however, in error when
they allege that the municipal treasury has suf
fered by the contract system any more than by
it's opposite. 1t has suffered az much by one as
by the other, having been roundly robbed under
both. The contract system is, however part
Of the law, which the Corporation cannot
change. They are required to have the clear-
ing Of the streets, and all other services Of that
sort, done by contract, and the resolutions of
the workingmen cannot affect the duty of the
authorities in the premises. Besides, the con-
tract 81 stem is in itself the bestthat can be de-
vised; all that is necessary is that il should be
honestly administered and we fail to see how
the officials who connive at cheating and plum
derirg b. contractors, would be converted to
honesty by simply allowing them to direct the
execution Of the work and the expenditure of
the money themselves.
The workingmen threaten with political ven
geance all who may not agree with their views
of the question Such persons they will vote
against whenever they have al opportunity.
We take leave to say that this language is not
calculated to advance their cause with sensible
people. The sOundest argument gains nothing
by being accompanied by menace; and weak
one remains weak though fortified with threats
on every side.
A complaint is made against rich monopolsts
and contractors, but it would have carried more
weight if put in more precise form. If the
contractors who have fulfilled their contracts
have forced people to work for them at rates
below the current standard of wages why not
say 80 clearly and let she case be understood
or if those who have failed to fulfill them, and
have taken pay for their work without doing it,
have been guilty of that failure because the meu
would not work for them at the pay they offered,
Why not state that also There is no force in
these general denuncations aud bitter vague
nesses. The workingmen 40 doubt have hard
life of il, Though their incorporate and careless
habits often render it harder than it need be- and
if they have any special grievances, they will
never find us backward in their behalf But
We must say that the proceedings Of this meet
ing are not of nature 70 enlist many disnter-
ested advocates in their cause.