The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-14

WORK FOR THE UNEMrL0YED-A PHAcr10AL
SrG0EsT1oS.- Of our city Aldermen intro
duced . resolution into the Board last week, the
professed object Of which was to supply employ
ment on public works for some of the many thou
sands who are being daily thrown out Of employ
ment. Ills plan was to have the works In the
opening Of the Central park resumed Unfortu-
nately however, for his sincerity or for his know
ledge of public affairs, these very works had to
be suspended because there was no money in the
treasury 10 pay the laborers; and there Is no i'm
mediate prospect of supplying that vacuum. We
were therefore compelled to treat the movement
as hypocritical one, or az intended to get up
little popularity for use at the approaching cleo
tons; and we have heard no more of it,
But if the mover of that resolution, Or, if the
Common Council, be sincere in wishing to come
to the !relief Of the unemployed poor, we can
suggest q very easy and practical mode of giving
effect to their humane feelings. An appro-
priation of 100000 was made by
Congress some time ago for the pur-
pose of erecting Post Office in this city
That sum is still lying in the treasury at Wash
ington, liable to draft. Not dollar of ii has yet
been expended, owing to the fact that although
the appropriation is fully adequate to the cree
ton Of suitable building for Post Office, It
would hardly be enough to pay for such site as
is required. But the Corporation can donate
such cite to the general government. A corner
of the City Hall Park is indicated by public
opinion as the place exactly suited for the Post
Office. Why should not steps be forthwith taken
to convey the title thereto to the general govern
meat, to whose iberality the city owes its pos
s@sion ofthe Battery? There is noreason, what.
ever, except indeed, that some Spectator OF the
FortGansevoort school may have influence enough
with the Common Council to prevent such q
thing. 1t would appear that some such influence
is at work for on the 2sth of September last =
the very day that Judge Roosevelt gave a
Of Councilmen adopted resolution nstructing
the Mayor to communicate to the Postmaster
General that it is not within the power of the
Common Council to dispose of any of the lands
Of the city except by public sale.
That resolution looks ominous of some such in
uuCuCc DE- VIC nave ulutSu ~. DuL IL Iuuot DC
rescinded If the Common Council has not the
authority to donate this land, the Legislature will
pass special act for the purpose. So there need
be 10 excuse formed on that head. Then let that
suspicious looking resolution be Immediately
rescinded, and resolution substituted therefor
directing the Mayer to notify the Postmaster
General, who will be here in a day or two, in
connection with this very subject that he may
select any site be choices on the public grounds
of the city. This is not time to play tricks
upon the people. When hunger stares men ia the
face il is bad to trde with them. Our city legis-
lators had better not run any unnecessary risks,
but go Immediately to work and give proof Of
their sympathy with the unemployed poor. Half
million dollars in gold will do great deal
toward allcvisting distress during the coming
winter and spring. There is no reason why this
relief should not be obtained. There is every
reason why il should be. Let schemers and spe.
culators be thrown aside for the present, and
let the safety OF the people be the supreme law.