Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-03

Messrs. Elvans, Grinder, Larman. Richards
Tat and President fBarr(-6. Before the vot,
was announced Mr. McCa,hran changed hi
vote 10 no, and the nomination was relectec
by yeas7: nays S. Mr. McCathran then eav'
notice OF his intention to move reconsidera
tion OF the vote by which the nomination wa!
rejected on next Monday evening"
Nr. Moore, from the Improvements Commit
tee, made An unfavorable report on the Homi-
nation Of Mr.: John W. Dyer as Commi missicner
erned mainly by the recommendation Of tht
Ward delegation.
Mr.. Turton expressed himself as friendly to
Mr. Dyer. but he did net give satisfaction ts
the people OF the Ward by strict attention U
his duties. He would vote against the nomi
nation Reluctantly. but was forced TO do sc
from sense Of duty. The nominanon of Mr.
Dyer was then rejected by yeas l. (Mr. Lloyd
MIR Moore, from the same committee. also
read the following report:
The Com mittee on Improvements, to which
was referred the nil entitled IAN act defining
the On ALLEGATIONS OF employees of the Corpor-
ation," having been unable to agree in Opin
LoD, respectfully report the bill back to the
Board, that it may receive such consideration
and disposition as the wisdom OF the Board
may deem just or expedient.
One member Of the Committee, who is the
author OF the bill, urges il passage IN its pres
ent form; another member favors the essen !
tial provisions OF the first and second sec
lions: and the remaining member (,he under
siGned) cannot perceive the propriety Of any
legislation in the manner proposed on the sew
eral subjects embraced in the bill.
The first section provides that hereafter s.all
contracts and all work OF every description
.or or in any way connected with the city OF
Washington, shall be open to competition to
any citizen Of the Uniied S,aiss, without any
distinction on account or race or color, and
I'd at II shall hn The duty Of the Mayor and any
subordinate office Of the said city to make the
TACT known In all propoals for work or con-
tracts, by an appropriate clause in the notice
OF pn nblieatIon inviting bIds.''
The second section provides that in the en-
pIoyment Of wOrkmen by any contractor or
employee OF the city of Washington there shall
or color. or because Of political or party senti
ments, and that it shall be the duty OF the
Mayor or any other officer OF the city, in ente
Ing into contracts or engaging persons 10 per-
or stipulation In every contract or engagement
by which the contractor or employee snail be
obliged to employ workmen IN accordan cs with
the design, meaning. and intent OF this section,
and rendering the contract or engagement void
II snch clause or stipulation should at any time
appear to the Mayor, Board OF Aldermen and
Board Of Common Council or a majority OF
them, TO have been disregarded or directly or
indirectly violated.
The remaining sections exclude from the
benefit OF the foregoing provisions. and posi-
lively prescribe from any employ ment every
person who went South .sfor the purpose of
engaging IN efforts to overthrow the Govern.
ment, and every person who in any manner
gave aid and comfort to the rebeliion;" and
also every person who, while performing work
for the city, discharged any person on accounr
OF color. or because OF the manner in which he
voted or proposed to vote: or of the party for
whom ne voter or proposed TO vote and IL is
made the duty OF the Mayor and all other off :
GERS TO require Of every contractor ana every
employee an oath that he has not been guilty
OF any OF these offences, which oath is to be re-
tanned and placed on file; and then, "before
an contract or engagement for work shall be
com pleted," it must be presented to the two
Boards OF the City Councils, and ssshall not be
binding until ratified by the said Boards
Such are the provisions OF law proposed in
this remarkable bill. 10 which the UNDERSIGNED
will proceed to suggest his objections purs n.
ant 10 the instruction OF the Board.
First. The bill is unnecessary because the re
is 10 law OF the Corporation excluding from
employ ment the class OF persons in whose be-
half this measure is proposed. That there is
not now any exclusion "on account OF color
IL manifest in every section Of the city where
improvements are in progress. and that there
was no such exclusion prior to the late elec-
on Is atesfed bv that portion Of the bill which
proposes to iHfiict the penalty OF perpetua /
pros cription Tor oism issaIs from employment
on account OF the manner in. which any pcrson
i color snay have exercised or proposed to
exercise his right OF voting The passage of
me bill. therefore. could have no practtcaI ef-
irct except SO far as it might afford pretexts
Tor the oppression of one class of laborers in
OF der to ex alt another class. And, besides as
II does Not appear that there has ever existed
any law OF exclusion from the right to labor.
falsify the legislative history OF the CITY and
reflect uDlnstly upon those to whom, ia years
past, It's interests have been committed.
Secondly. It would not be wise or lust
policy TO attempt to leRislate any class of ueo-
pie into public favor, and especially those
" hom this bill proposes thus to exa!t Their
claims, as in the case OF other persons, should
rest on qualification and merit Nor would
Nf 10 l<Nr
here be promoted by the proposed procIama.
tons OF executive officers when advertising
work. The difficulty now is that there are q
great many more labOrers than can he EN-.
ployed; a consequence ls that many are idle
and 1t may be that some are suffering. Where
then, would be the propriety Of the proposed
publications. which could scarcely fail TO de.
lude to the city many more OF the same class
OF people to share the too scanty employment.
and thus increase the numbers OF The unem.
ployed!
Thirdly. The " design, meaning and intent"
OF the bill seems to be 10 force coiorea men into
public employment, regardless OF the interests
Of contractors or of the Corporation. Whilst
exalling and protecting the African race, it
cons trains and degrades the white race. Ererp
penalty proposed applies 10 the ashf'e man-noae
20 fhs black; because, the blacks having no
W bite employes, ana not being likely to have
W whife applicants fer employment, they cannot
missal from or refusal of employment on ac-
connt of color. nor, as they are all presumed
to be loyal, can they be subject to prescription
II charged with having given aid and comfort
70 the rebellion. They are thus secured from
penalty. But it is only necessary for any one
" them, however faithless and worthless he
may be, TO pretend that he has been dismissed
from or refused employment on account OF his
color, 10 insure the arraignment of a white
or employer. who would be liable,
ON the decision OF partisan Council to the
loss OF his CONTRACT or employment, not only for
the tune being but forever. so far as concerns
The work OF this city for il will be observed
hat every person having employment within
rs 10 sarisfy both the interested blacks and their
peculiar, friends OF his strict impartiality,
" ould be placed III the same category as the
most fagrant rebel, and ever afterwards be
debarred from employment. And it will seem
also that there is no lack OF inducement for
such prosecutions, because for every man pro-
seribed the benefit would enure to his colored
&C mpetitore. But, in addition to these pro.
scriptions, the bill excludes yet another class
ma mely, unnaiuraiized persons-of whom
large numbers come most directly in competi.
lion with the coloTed laborers. II has hither-
10 be en- the policy Of this country to encourage
i'm migration, but. under this bill a poor emf.
grant coming to this city could obtain no EN-.
lion, and, even after that time had expired, it
would be necessary for him 10 become natural
lZsd before he would have the poor privilege,
which is accorded by the bill 70 ali ..citizens,''
whether residents here or Rot. OF learning nis
bread in the sweat OF his brow"
Fourthly. This bill, by opening sail work
FOR the city, or in any way con nected with it =
10 competition by any citizen OF the United
States, }" would abFoGate some wholesome laws
and customs, which have prevailed for many
1t TO practical workmen 40 we'll a. to the cor
POT alton. Under the operation OF this bill. AZ is
1hoatd become q law, con htracts wouid NO
chgsr Be coniinsd 70 Tracitcal men, skilled in