The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-06
IMMENSE GATHERING OF wORKlNGMEN.
Mass Meeting at Tompkins Square and Cit,
Hall Park
Address to the Mayor and Petition to
tho Common Council.
Interview between their Com
mittee and Mayor Wood.
Speech Of Mayor Wood and Reply Of the
Committee,
&C., &C.,


monstration Of unemployed workmen took place yeser-
day. AS early as O'Clock in the morning 500 persons
had assembled in Tompkns square, and before 9, the
hour which the meeting convened, at least 5000
met had crowded the centre of the square These
Joined by the Workngmen's Association the members Of
which marched in procession to the sound Of martial mu
sic and under banner which displayed the word
"Work,n both in German and English.
The meeting was called to order by James T. Mcguire,
Secretary Of the Workngmens Association, and in the
absence Of Charles smith, Presidsnt Of the same, Francis
Blcy moved to the chair by unanimous voice Of tho
multitude
Mir BlEy then stated the objects for which the working
men had assembled viz for the purpose Of reading the
resolution that had been drawn up by the committee Of
seven fellow worknen appointed for the purpose and of
expressing their views concerning the best mode of OBJ
tanning employment for their fellow citizens who must
not this winter Willie there is plenty OF provisions
in the country.
Mr. MAGrIEE was now loudly called upon to come for
ward address the meeting aud his appearance
before Il, spoke as follows -feliow citizens ~ aorus
me sincere qualification TO many OF You present on
this day There Is terrible winter before US
and if do not influence the authorities Ia the proper
time will be late TO ourselves from the dire
misery that must come upon We have Individually
duty to perform and the present time that duty should
occupy small portion of our attention. Mayor Wood
cannot everything for US, nor perhaps anything,
he is supported by the Aldermen and Common Coun-
clmen Of the city All our consultations and wisdom and
the good incnaons of worthy and honorable Mayor
unavailable those persons who are IN authority do
give their sanction to what may be proposed For
this reason resolution has been drawn up which will be
proposed to the Board of Councimen and which trust
will be approved by that body. (Cheers) But II has
been proposed that in the event OF beng impossible to
nav ncn who might be employed nj public works during
the winter with money to employ them on the different
public works and give them lour and provsis Of va
rous kinds instead OF cash >nr We ..s not have pay
meuts Of this kind when get money-for we can
get it, We want clothes a TIA As provisions during the
coming winter and VI u ec our children perish OF
cold while have it in power TO obtain Clothes by
insisting not only on the carrying out OF various pubic
works the Central Park the grand reservoir &c,
but Of receiving cash and no other payment Tor our
is ia favor of accepting charity in return for your labor "a
voiceWc are Lot heggars YETI No, you are the real
wealth OF the country and you must receive what VIII
contribute supply your wants in return for that which
makes any State either great wealthy, viz, industry.
Mr. Mcguire conSuded by reading paper containing sta
scs showing the Of the agricultural produce of the
country, which he clearly proved 10 be three times as
much as the quantity that would be necessary to support
the entire population Of the country Much applause fol
lowed this address and after the noise had subsidized
EyAderman HART spoke AZ some length on the means
by which employment might be afforded TO workmcn dur
ing the winter the necessity There i TOT some works De
ing commenced and the misery that Will be entaed up
all classes Of workmen in the city the proper means
are not used TO prevent the misery existing. other
speakers succeeded, who addressed themselves both IN
English and German to the crowd, after which Mr. Ma
guire announced that they would proceed To the Park
where they would read the resolution that had been pro
posed by the committee, and which, passed 70 be Of
fcrea to the Board OF Councilman for their consideration
The drums struck up three cheers were given for
Mayor Wood and the procession then started OH bearing
with them banner with the following inscription
..WoRKlD .ARnErrln
The line OF march lay through ST. Marks place, Third
avenue Bowery and Chatham street TO the City Hall
where they took up their position in front Of the City Hall
steps when OF their number, members Of the Com
mttee Resolutions and Addresses after mounting the
City Hall steps read in and English the follow
ADDRESS TO THE MAYOR.
TosPKISs SQUARE, New YoRg, Nov. 5, 1857.
To IIrs THY Won pr
Tie terrible distress actually existing among the labor
classes has given to several meetings and peacea
BILE mournfu professions throughout the city with the
aim Of obtaining work from private but having
entirely failed in this cndcavor and arrived at the gloomy
conviction that during the present crisis viii be utterly
Impossible get work by individual exeron the bearers
OF this petition viz delegates Of the meeting charged
10 submit to your Honor the following resolution
ITO convene without delay the Aldermen and Commo-
nay Of the city Cor the purpose Of ordainng the mme.
date employment OF wokmen ri the Central Park, Grand
Reservoir new Post Office, evelling or sewering the
streets any other public works indispensable for
the sanitary condition ii tho people and tbs comfort and
safety of the wealthy themselves
Every human being has a right to live, not mere
charity, hut a. right and governments, monarchca or
republican, must ind work for the people, individual
exertion prove not sufficient
sfgIfr' committee.
GElLMAS, and others
HUMMER
ADDRESSES.
They were then addressed by Mr.. Charles Smith who
during bis remarks said that while there plenty OF
work TO be done In this city and they the workngnen
willing and anxious to do II, there 10 y,
had not even sufficient for them % earn enough % keer
their families from actual starvation. There plenty
Of public works which they might all or nearly al End
employment on II the city authorities would but com
them, and thereby make provisions towards
aiding the workmen out Of employment to sufficient
during the winter 10 keep their families on nothing
lie urged that the authorities should have the pub
lie works commenced at once, from matter Of policy, u
FOR no other reason as now workmcn could be procured
for half what they cou six months honcc besides being
matter Of economy otherwise 20 the city by doing
would the city $50 900 this winter. by paying
the workmcn 10 -four AMI provisions
The next speaker ex Councilman HaRr who remark.
ell that during tho time no was member OF the Board in
1865 he eudeavnred 10 get 500 600 appropriated for
the benefit Of the poor and 70 keep open soup houses
IN the city. but he could not succeed; and he felt
therefore that but little would be done by the present
Bcardt He thought u the Common Council would
but carry ont Mayor Woods recommendation
all would be well for those Of employ, but he
thor. h that there very LITTLE prospect Of thnr doing
50, there much opposition % such beneficial
result Tho Mayor wss good captain 20 poor mans
ship but would not DO ~ crowd him too much when he
had power e act himself without the aid OF the Com
mon Council The black republicans opposed 10 any
such cxtravacancc they called II. whilst they still
proesc to be great friends Of the working m'n but they
we're his greatest enemies.
speeches wcrc subsequently maize by Mr. Naric,t and
others after which the following document was read,
previous handing Il In to the Common Council last
To rIw IovonAptg MAYOR ALDERMEN AND COmovAtrY
or TIE CIY o. Nav YoRg;-
Your mcmorialisis respectfully show that they were
appointed a committee Al public meeting held in the
Park Nov .. for the purpose q memoralizng
your honorable body on behalf OF nity thousand
mechanics and wurkinrmcn who are at present
uut II employment, many q whom have wives
and families dependent them for support which NY
tho force of circumstance they are totally unable 70 pro
vide for and cl upon you, IN your Official capacity
mag raos and guardians q the peace and goof order %
society to furnish thom that employment that the urgcn
cy o. the demands Trusting thi you IN your wis
dom will perceive the justice ol their claim, AMI acceic
10 our humble request ty ordering tho public works Of
the city be- carried IN just and liberal manner they
will remain quiet possible, that they may he able 20
obtain employment ~ supply themselves AMI families
with the common necessities al life. We would also
state that the works III question be done more ad
vantage tho city NJ present than "a future period be-
herc 4 oyorstock OF unemployed labor the
market ri this time
VIC would al urge you TO carry ont the plans ~ our
working Mayor ~ furnish -Four, coal ani other necess.
rics exchange f9r labor II other means arc left at
your disposal 80 that they and their families may be
spared from The impending fie that ~ await them
this winter ~ land q plenty.
Permit " 70 say Tia W. have sufficient confidence in
you a. body elected by the people TO suppose that you