The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-18
THE UNEMPLOYED LABOR1NG MEN.


MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE COM
MON COUNCIL--REMARKs OF MR.. ORTON--FINAL
ADJOURNMENT OF THE COMMITTEE.
An adjourned meeting Of the Joint Special Committee of
the Common Council appointed to confer with the citizens
Of the city in reference to devsng plan to furnish
employment TO the aborpg classes who ont Of work.
held yesterday afternoon in the chamber Of the Board
Of Counclmen, Alderman Chip presiding. The attend
ance very slim-so much that the object of the
meeting was not accomplished Those gentlemen present
misunderstood the object Of the meeting supposing
to discuss the best mode of relieving the families
Of the volunteers Ey.Alderman SMITH stated that the
suffering the city at tho present time unparalleled
and IN the Of his remarks sanced Of great
destituton
Councilman ORION, who was not member Of the
mttee, made speech, observing that he had serious
doubts whether IL was in the province OF the Common
Council do anything in the premises One CT pro-
mnen citizens suggested at the meeting Of the committee
last week that there was line Of public work of i'm.
importance 10 the city, that could be undertaken
and prosecuted perhaps favorably the
Of economy, than q, any other me-which the
ton OF stone piers throughout the city. He (Mr Oron)
thought that the Common Council could not take action
upon Of such magnitude without the previous
action Of the state Legislature. While the city
mont had succeeded IN raising money upon bonds that
confessedy Illegal so far as the strict letter Of the
law was concerned, Tor the purpose Of providing bread
for the almost starving people, he questioned very much
the proprety well as the right for the Common Coun
ci TO 90 beyond that with any scheme of public
importance merely for the purpose Of furnishing employ
ment without previous legislative sanction There could
be doubt bul That The present favorable time to
commence the vigorous prosecution of this grand scheme
to replace the miserable wooden piers Of city with
structures Of stone and iron This would involve an ex
pcnse Of many millions Of dollars and II would be COM
paratvey useless the erection one or two
PIERS which would only furnish work for few persons
He thought that in providing for the erection of
piers, Il would be necessary 10 pursue the which
was pursued when the Croton water introduced into
the city namely that the Legislature should provide for
Tho issuing OF bonds In conclusion Mr. Orion said that
unless some definite plan suggested TO the Common
Council by which the suffering which prevails among
the unemployed Of our city could be aleviated, they
could do nothing In tho premises, aud had
better adjourn At subsequent stage of the
proceedings Mr. orion alluded TO tho action Of both
branches Of the city government in passing an ordinance
hing half million of'dolars TO relieve The FAINT
lies OF the gon eers said that he had the authority
OF the Comptroller say that portion OF that money
could be had Immediately for disbursement yet would
some days appoint assistant reasurers In the
Senatorial districts and 10 get the plan in proper working
order.
The SECRETARY read communication from Mr.. A. s.
Hewett In which he gives valuable suggestions IN rele
to the proper mode OF procedure In relieving the
wants Of the suffering portion Of community. He
says that he was unsuccessful in trying TO get the War
families Of che volunteers could draw the monthly pay Of
the soldiers Ia New York IN speaking Of the expend-
Of families he mentions food eothng and rent
the 6rst two nccessaries being cheap and abundant
udcious expenditure Of small nnount o. money would
90 rcspects rent he urge4 uo landlords 70
reduce the rent Of tenemept property.
After waiting Tor the arrival OF some Of the two
hundrca citizens who were invited TO attend, the
m aztec adjourned subject the call Of che chairman