The New York herald., 1869-01-10

their society TO avoid the employment OF the parties
against whom they are operating. This shows that
there are some OF this class out OF work. And the
PLUMBERS
are indeed, very blue, as there Is far less work In
being made, and only the extra skilled hands are re-
tained in the shops. Large numbers OF good work.
men are roaming around seeking odd Jobs. The
HOUSE CARPENTERS,
like al other operatives In the various branches OF
the building trade, are suffering for want OF employ
ment, very large majority being out OF work, and
applications by scores are made whe- the sound
OF the hammer or saw Is heard, all oeng willing to
accept occupation upon any terms. Among the
MARBLE CUTTERS
however, the reverse Is the rule. or all the trades
this is doing by far the most active business. They
have many old unfinished contracts and the diff
Guilty with them consists not In the want of work,
but to find skilled workmen. Among the other
trades such as the
BAKERS, BARBERs, HARNESS MAKERs, sADDLERs,
TAiLoRs, THuNkMAKERS, HATTERS AND UPHOL-
sTERERs,
the one general rule holds good. All are passing
through season OF trial and desIondency. With
all there has been great falling Off In business as
compared with former years; and whereas IN ord-
fifteen dollars to forty dollars per week the average
ranging between eighteen dollars and twenty dol
iars) large numbers OF them are doing nothing at
all, and many At different periods OF the past year
were glad 10 be employed at even greatly reduced
wages. The records OF the various
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES,
OF which there are in New York and Brooklyn more
than one hundred show that during the past
year their resources have been unusually taxed and
many preceding years. At present no accurate esti-
mate OF the amount can be made. ls their several
aue hes nou pes Du
the course pursued during the summer and 1ali by
the
PROTECTIVE UNIONS.
The objects OF all these societies are undoubtedly
good, nor can their intentions be fur moment ques-
toned They are one and all actuated by the same
motive-t0 secure uniform and justly fair remunlera-
ton for their services. But In their efforts to enforce
this uniformity and equalization, being composed OF
whether at times the end justiies the means. When
employers endeavor TO take advantage OF the neces-
sites OF the employed, and use their capital and
other means TO reap enormous profit without giving
Qutd pro quo, the employed would be justified by
united action to compel just reciprocity. But be-
fore such united action is taken the whole subject
should be considered carefully and q positive GER
tainty attaned that the motive and cause existed
imaginary grievances almost invariably lnfame the
human passions to greater extent than real ones;
and 1t is also equally certan that all associations Of
men are controlled swayed and led more requentlyby
the few than the many. All men are prone to view
matters In which they personally interested from
their own standpoints, and too frequently, though
not Intentionally, overlook the force OF the argu-
ments or circumstances OF those opposed to that in
terest. When those VINO compose the few and COM
mand the influence to sway the mass are so unf0r-
tunate as to have their judgments thus clonded their
very Efforts to exercise that sway blind them to a
thousand circumstances and prevent as compre-
hensive consideration OF the proper course OF action
that the course adopted by the different
associations last summer In making their strikes
was the q aroused and
leaders OF them, Their consultations may have been
OF the most dspassionate character and determined
by reasons OF overwhelming weight We are fafn to
believe that it was 30, or at least that they believed
so; but must be excused II We cannot concede an
equal faith in the result nor remove fear that the
action was precipitate and inconsiderate. II cor
recty informed, the sum expended by the various
unions IN maintaining their strikes was, IN the ag.
grcgate, several millions OF dOilars-we have heard
II estimated at between $5,0 900 and 50 600
and when the opposition was over and their terms
10 whole or IN part aSceded @ 70 t9ey i9nrd a lne
very many then found they had destroyed
the sources from whence they derived employment,
and that the compulsory argument to pay society
wages was myth and a farce, or there was no
work TO be given and no wages OF any KIND to be
earned. ~ can get nothing TO do" is the mournful
II can give you no employment; trade Is too dull to
increase my force,r says the manufacturer. Busi-
and retail dealer. All Of these had something for
you to do and might have continued to struggle
ing you from their employ, put yon voluntarily
separated and demanded and endeavOred 10
force from them what they were unable
to give, and In the attempt you taught
them that they could do without most Of you--that
indeed, your action was inadvertently the best pos
sible measure for their Interest," It enabled most TO
close np their business with but partial oss while
II forced Others TO do so with heavy loss and not
few IN ruin. Some continue to carry on their usual
reduced scale. with no immediate prospect urgent
desire to enlarge II. LABOR. ike trade, Is wholly
4 great T tns and e former bcer
wages can with propriety be demanded, and will
cheer.ully be given: but when the reverse prevails
wages must fall, unless the general activity in busi
ness justifies m enlargement OF establishments. II
il an exceedingly hazardous measure to attempt
forced change az times OF depression; and the his
tory of almost all such movements proves thar the
result Is eventually an injury instead OF benefit TO
those who engage In it-generally ruinous to both
parties. That the movements OF the trades unions
OF the past year have not resulted advantageousy
We think admits or no denial. We have heard OF no
benefit that has accrued from any OF them, while we
have heard of much injury inflicted.
IN THE MACHINE SHOPS
there ia still little ACTIVITY though the force
employed at present s smaller than al some
during the year, and none OF them are being worked
beyond u third or one-half OF their capacity.
The character OF work upon which they are
now engaged consists chiefly OF architectural
castings few uncomplcted contracts for steam
engines, one or two gasumeters for gas COM
panies and some iron work for bridges and railroad
depots. In all there are some eighteen or twenty or
these establishments, employing In the aggregate
between $500 and 1000 workmen. OF whom about
two-tiiirtis are mechanics the balance being made
mp Of helpers. clerks cartrnen, &c. These ironworxs
are capable or furnishing employment to between
TO- 900 and 1000 able hands, and on more than one
occasion those numbers have been reached. The
wages are very uniform ranging from 81 so to 80 90
per day. according to the rating Of the workman, as
irst class good or Indifferent In comparison with
their capacity and the amount of work formerly exe
cuied In these extensive establishments what is
being turned out might be termed insignificant:
yet 1t IL gratifying " know that there Is a
greater degree ~ Cheerfulness and hope ia the
prospects OF tho future TO be found In them tran IN
any other places OF industry we have visited about
the CITY.
TiiH SAVINGS BANKS
do not indicate great degree OF dcstiution a. we
had anticipated. Tue exact amount oi deposits aud
Withdrawals during tile year cannot be gwen with
accuracy nj present, as the annual statements are
not yet prepared: but from visit TO several OF
them we draw the conclusion that the deposits
are greatly IN excess, and equal n they DO not ex-
ceed those of any preceding year. In some OF them
there has been falling Oh, but In the majority the
deposits have increased largely. In one bank
alone the increase has amounted to 81, $50, ,O0o
Why tnis Ia so it IL difncult 10 explain.
but 1t may arise from the deposits having been
made by other than the strictly laborlng class,
or were sufficiently large In the earlier months OF
the year to counerbalancc the decrease In the later
months, for in OF the larger banks there was
D decided deficiency during the months of November
and December az compared with the corresponding
months Of the preceding year. Still We were sur
prised to nd that there was not larger deficiency
and the idea suggested Itself that the poor rather
than Withdraw the sums deposited for the future
benefit of their children, had concluded TO suffer
additional discomforts by parting with as large
portion Of their personal enccts ~ possible and to
trust uh hope in the events or the future to pro-