The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-24

PALACES OF THE WORKINGMEN.--A commit
tee, appointed by an organization protesting to
be composed of the workingmen Of New York,
waited recently on Mayor Wood to demand
that the city and State authorities should fur
nish work to the large number of unemployed
operatives whom they alleged had been thrown
out of employment by the war. 1t was urged
that such action had o precedent in the conduct
Of the President who had not hesitated to out
step the constitutional limits of his functions
when the safety of the government demanded
It. In the same way that Congress had en-
dorsed his acts, it was argued that the State
Legislature could legalize such measures as
the city and State authorities might decide
. upon for the relief OF the distressed working
men and their families. The Mayor, as might
have been expected, declined to assume any
responsibility in the matter?but stated that he
would submit the requests Of the deputation to
ne consideration of the two boards.
TIE demands thus preferred are based on
two fallacies:-First, that there is any real ne
cessity for the Intervention of the authorities;
and secondly, that, supposing it to exist, they
would be justified in taking the steps indicated.
1t is nonsense to say that there is any larger
amount Of distress than is usual at this time of
the year among the working classes of our
city. If there has been since the outbreak of
the war stagnation in many branches of in
dustry. in others there has been vastly in
creased activity. Tailors, shoemakers and
seamstresses-who constitute by far the largest
number Of persons engaged in mechanical occu
pations and who are generally the arst to
suffer from commercial depression-have had
as much work as they could do for the last
three months in making uniforms for the troops.
1t has been the same with all those engaged in
the manufacture of knapsacks, tents arms, am
munition, &c.-branches of trade that hitherto
have only been carried on on q limited scale.
but which have now taken vast expansion.
Then, again, it should be remembered that while
there has been largely increased demand for
hands in all these industries, oil the surplus
labor in the market has been drafted off to the
army If there be still, as alleged, considcra-
BILE number Of workingnen unemployed, i. is
their own fault. The government is in want Of
soldiers, and pays literally for them Thirteen
dollars month, with rations, is equivalent to q
dollar day in wages, and with this the mocha
mic can contribute as effectually to the support
Of his family as by the uncertain employment
which, in the most prosperous times-owing to
the competition Of labor existing in the large
cities-he can obtain as his share. It is true
that he incurs in the army some personal risks
but it is question whether they are rs great in
the way of mortality as those arising from the
close quarters, the fetid atmosphere and the in
sufficient and frequently unwholesomc food to
which he is obliged to submit in the pursuit of
his ordinary avocations
In any case, neither the city nor State autho
rites can afford him assistance in the manner
prescribed. 1t is contrary to all sound policy
and experience that they should interfere with
the laws that regulate labor. Where
ever governments or municipalities have
undertaken to supply work to the unemployed