The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-07
J1Co8lNIsM EXTRAORDINARY

Mayor Wood, of New York, who has been
educated in the school Of modern Democracy,
Denagogulsm, or Jacobinism, has seized the
occasion Of the times to PLY what he UNI
doubtedly intended as trump card, to win
popularity and secure reelection to the office
he now holds 1t is communication to the
Common Council of that city, in which he
makes some most extraordinary propositions
and incendiary appeals to the basest passions
and propensities Of the lowest order Of the in
habitants Of that Sodom and Gomorrah. His
object seems to be nothing more nor less than
to stir up the bitterest feelings of the poor
against the rich, and to invite them to violence
and robbery What other meaning can be
given to this language. For instance:
"Truly may it be said that in New York those
who produce everything get nothing, and those
who produce nothing get everything. They labor
without income, while surrounded by thousands
living in affluence and splender who have income
without labor. efs ps..,yas tg.
The above and the following paragraphs
contain the cream Of the whole: s,
81 recommend that the Comptroller be author.
lied to advertise for estimates for furnishing the
Corporation with fifty thousand barrels OF flour,
and corresponding quantity Of corn meal and
potatoes to be paid for by the issue of public
construction stock redeemable in fifty years, and
bearing seven per cent. interest-these provisions
to be disposed of 70 laborers to be employed upon
the public works referred to, in lieu Of money,
at its cost price to the Corporation Let all these
works be commenced forthwith, under the proper
departments. Twenty-Five per cent. could be paid
in cash. esi M sa.g ...s, #
"Eyery man who will labor should be employed
at a fair compensation, and the supplies thus pro-
vided distributed in return. The tax payers will
be relieved Of the prospect of additional pauper
expenses and will receive fifty years credit upon
cost of the public labor, while the laborers will
not only get employment but provisions at whole
sale prices, and be freed from the imposition Of
middlemen and others Of whom they buy. The
advantages of this suggestion to the Corporation,
The working classes, and the public at large, are
too obvious to require elucidation. The only
question, therefore, remaining is, how far the
Common Council has the power to carry it out.
In my Judgment it has ample power.
~ hope immediate means may be taken to carry
out this Recommendation. There is no time to be
lost. By the time that a proper ordinance Is pre-
pared and passed, and the supplies provided, win.
ter will be upon us-and it may be that, if no pre-
caution be taken, want, restitution, and starva-
ton will pervade the homes of the working men.
Do not supinely permit any such calamity give
no man excuse for violence or depreciation upon
property, that he must have bread for his chill
dren; and remember that, in a population Of
three quarters Of Million like ours there are 70
be found many of the vicious, who will not omit
such an opportunity to plumber and pilage. Bet
ter support such at public expense than to pay the
citizens for their property after it is stolen or de-
stroyed. Indeed, there are SO many reasons for
the adoption OF this preventive course that we
shall be justified and sustained by public opinion
the responsibility. am willing to take my share
of it, aud hope the Common Council and the sew.
eral departments will not be afraid to take theirs.