The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-04
The Public store CONTRACTS.

Yesterday morning a committee OF laborcrs from tbc
public store in Broad street, which, after Monday next
will pass over, by contract to the charge of Mcssrs
Craig Co., waited on the Hon. Howell Cobb Secretary
Of the Treasury in the Collectors Office at the Now York
Custom House, to express to him their high sense OF obn
CATION for the manner in which he had secured their in
teress, with regard to compensation and retention In
Office under the new arrangement
Mr. Michael Murphy, in behalf OF the public store
laborers, was spokesman Of the committee He sncere-
ly thanked Mr.. Cobb for his kind remembrance OF and
consideration for democratic aborng men, and assured
him that 1t was Can evidence Of good will which would
always be gratefully remembered by them;' that they
poor but that they endeavored to be honest ndus
trous and faithful that they were dependent upon their
occupation for livelihood for themselves and their ami
lies and that in guarding them from HARM he had
DONE he had performed act too in official e Of
humanity and Christian charity'
Tho Secretary Of the Treasury replied to the committee
that while he was in the Congress Of tho United
States, he Lad represented district composed almost
exclusively Of laboring men, They had, he said,
invariably sustained him with fidelity which had
wavcred under no temptations and it was rulo Of his
political and private lie, dictated not only by OF
what right but also by gratitude to maintain their
rights whenever opportunity afforded, and promote
their interests all occasions He assured the commit
tee that in contracting for the business of the public
stores he had been guided by what he deemed to be
duty to the country in securing far possible,
economical administration Of its finances; that to be mind
less of this consideration would be to sacrifice the first
claim which he had upon their esteem and obligation
imperative upon his conscience, and for which the who6
nation would hold him to account He rej0ced that they
appreciated his motives and believed that all would do
so when experience had shown them in how friendly
spirit to the aborng classes everything had been DONE
Much opposition has existed among politicians against
the letting out Of the public store business by contract
the ground that doing would Of dscrvce TO the
employed and also to the democratic party
has been feared that the two hundred and fifty
in IL Broad street would either DO dis
charged, or that their rights would be greatly n-
fringed upon Since the men, however, have learn.
ed that they mistaken, and that the
outcry the subject has been unoundcd they pac
fed as the meeting which took place between Mr. Cobb
and the aborers proves enormously stated by
the Washington correspondent of tho HERALD that the
members of Congress, including Mr. John Cochrane, ex-
Surveyor unqualiGedy and Internationally in favor
of the change which has been made This is a mistake.
The members of Congress- and especially Mr. Cochrane,
have taken recommcndatory part in the NATTER but
have, when inquired of declared that was expert
ment the popularity Of which would probably ultimately
depend upon the Of the contractors to avoid inter-
with tho rights of those aborcrs who faithful
the discharge Of their duties and to the interests
democratic party The change made is exclusively owing
the determination of the Secretary Of the Treasury
duce the expenditure and the advice and utter
ference Of Mr. Cochrane and others here has been given
with view to render the working out Of the plan
beneficial as possible to the working classes well TO
the mercantile community Moreover, in the contract be-
tween the government and the gentlemen who TO have
charge Of the public Stores clause has been inserted
enabling the Secretary of the Treasury rescnd all that
has been done and fall back upon the old system, the
new one does not work well.