Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-06-19

GREAT observation-disclosures
rIon OF THE LABoRERs-WoRK OR Bread De-
MANDED.-At about half past two o'clock
yesterday: afternoon, a large crowd oflabor-
ers of all classes, numbering about two hun
dred, marched down Brady strt. to the cor
ner of Third, the residence of Geo. l. Da.
venport. Esq, where they arranged them
selves orderly and quietly in front of the
house. and dispatched two persons, Mr.. D.
c. Cullen and Mr.. c. Blocker, one an Irish.
man and the other a German, to confer with
Mr.. Davenport. The spokesman, Mr.. Gull
len, stated that the laborers were out of
employment, had expended all of their mo-
ney, and now There being no work-were
in danger of starvation, and that they had
come to him, one of the prominent citizens
of the city, to see if he could not devise
some means to alleviate their condition.
Mr.. Davenport replied that he sympathised
with them in their misfortunes; some plan
could probably be devised to assist them
that he was ever ready to do his share per.
sonally, and would use his influence with
the City Council and the citizens to pro-
cure work for them. The spokesmen, after
thanking Mr. Davenport, then returned to
their fellow laborers, and stated to them the
result OF their conference, when three cheers
were given for Mr.. Davenport
The procession then formed again and
marched down to the banking house of
Messrs. Cook 4 Sargent, where the two
spokemsn entered the banking room. (the
crowd remaining outside), and asked to see
the Mayor. Some person in the bank sug-
gested to them that customers were coming
in at that door. apd requested them to go
around TO the other door on second street,
where the Mayor would meet them The
doors of the bank were then closed, and the
crowd moved around to the door indicated,
where Mr.. Ebenezer Cook shortly after
made his appearance Mr.. D. C. Cullen
then said:
Mr.. Mayor: We are laborers out of work,
and have called upon you to help US. We
have had talk with MIR. LIE Claire and Mr..
Davenport. and both have promised to as
fist us. We are poor, and willing to work
but none is to be found. We are out OF
money and cannot get work, and must come
upon the county, Mr.. Mayor, if nothing can
be done for us. We want you to help us.
Mr.. Cook Thi. is q matter which has
been discussed again and again in the City
Council; but no plan has yet been devised
by which they can assist you. They are
willing and anxious to do the best that is
possible for you. / think there are many
in this crowd who might get work if they
choose A man came in yesterday from the
country and told me that he wanted men to
hoe corn; that the times were hard, and
that he could give only fifty cents day and
board. and that At these prices he could get
none to go.
1t would be useless for the city to employ
you and then not pay you. The city did too
much work last year, and now has no mo-
ney to pay for more. If any plan can be
devised by the members of the City Coun.
Gil to help you, they would be glad to do
so. The Mayor has no power in the Coun-
Gil, and can do nothing. He has not even
vote. His business is to see that the laws
are executed when passed His disposition
is good. but he cannot take power in his
hands which is not given by the law to as.
sist you.
Spokesman. We have talked with Mr..
LeClaire and Mr. Davenport. and they said
that they would lend money to the city to
enable it to give work to ua They prom
ised heart and hand for US.
Mr.. Cook. have never heard that any
one offered to lend money to the city. l
myself worked four days to get q loan to
pay the interest Of the city debt If Mr..
Leclaire. or Mr.. Davenport. or Judge Nit
chell, or any one else, is disposed to loan
money to the city, l would be glad to see
the City Council make an appropriation
There is work enough to be done, but the
trouble is that We have no money to pay
for it do not consider it honest to order
work when We can't pay.
Spokesman. We can apply to the coun-
ty if ws can't get work We merely came
to ask you psaeably and quietly, NJ. Nay.
or, for work.
Ar. Cook. I think Il any plan can b
seatsived Or sssgsatsd By yea - ny sas
tlss, by whssh wssk go " paid ~ When
u 4 dssA the Clly UpuSso tool1 u ~