The New York herald., 1869-01-10

Prospect Of tho working Glasses for the
Wintcr--Trade During the Past Year
Unions and Cooperative Societies.
That partial paralysis in all branches OF trade
has marked the events OF the past year cannot be
denied. IL has been felt In all circles and made the
subject OF universal comment 1t still continues,
and its effects in many respects have been disas
trous and widespread as to have occasoned no little
anxiety-making the future assume an aspect OF
gloom by no means pleasant TO contemplate.
Thoughtful and anxious faces are TO be met on every
hand, and our business men wear weary look that
would seem TO indicataa more than ordinary mental
cxertion ana this is true; for at no period within
the past 1ve six years has there existed so gene
raj depression In business, or more cause for ap-
prehension In regard to the events Of the future.
While this is true OF our leading men, and OF all
classes the effects OF It's lnfuence have fallen upon
no class with greater severity than that OF the grand
army of wOrkers-thaI class whose very existence
depends upon the result OF its daily exertons and
which embraces within its limits fully 0ne-third, if
not q larger proportion, OF our entire population,
both rural and urban.
That the present season is undoubtedly in all years
Of stagnation in business and under the most IA
v0rable circumstances invariably increases the wants
and causes additional suffering among the poorer
cIasses-more observable probably in large cities,
than in the country districts, yet producing its
enects everywhere-has been demonstrated by the
experience OF the past; but he must, indeed, have
been o careless observer who has not been i'm
pressed during the past few weeks that from some
cause there existed an unusual aud widespread de-
spondency and draught upon his sympathies. The
spasmodic activity OF the holidays, with the tenn
porary relief afforded BY the circulation Of several
millions OF dollars in the purchase OF presents for
Christmas and New Years, and in the various social
cnjoyments usual at such times, may have drawn
veil for moment over the sad realities OF the social
status Of the aboring classes; but that is all
over, and the reaction but makes the truth more
sensibly apparent; for, go where we will, at
this inclement season misery and want obtrudes
themselves upon our attention; the eye is shocked
by encounterng pallid faces pinched cheeks, lusre
less eyes and the outstretched emaciated hand the
ear saluted by heartrending wailngs and feeble
voices appealing for aid in startling, despairing
tones, crying, 'Charty for the love Of God charity
bread for starving children ~ Nor are the appeals
upon our sympathies confined to the class Of profess
sional beggars. Though not 80 loudly and openly
made, nor the causes apparent, they come from all
classes Of the community who have not been so for
tunate as to secure permanent incomes. Thousands
among even what may be termed the middle class
are struggling, and many vainy, TO exc out an
existence; and, finding it impossible to make both
ends meet the surplus earnings Of the past are rap
IDLY being exhausted, and In very many instances
have been entirely consumed. All these daily
being added to the already vast army OF the utterly
destitute. The poor we have with us always, and 1t
Ii with pride that it be said that In the aggre-
gate they are well provided for. The amounts annu-
ally disburscd in charities in this city and is vcin
ity, quietly and without ostentation, IL announced
In statistical figures to the world, would astound
those whose theoretical and egotstical philan
thropy vainly parade such matters for repuiation's
SAKE We are content to remain satisfied with the
result of practical workings in this respect and
desire not the questionable merit to be derived from
comparisons-aways odlous. But 1t is not for this
class alone that we are now called upon to exercise
our sympathies and benev0lence in an unusual de-
gree, but for large ana worthy class OF our fellow
citizens, who however willing TO perform their
whole duty, are from adverse circumstances unable
to do so.
The year 1855 has been umbered with the past
and II IL with the results OF its various vicsstudes
We have now to DEAL At its opening some OF the ef-
fects OF the late civil still continued to exert
influence; redundancy OF money had been created
and the extraordinary market afforded by the de-
mands Of the government had stimulated all
branches of business ahd trade to a point beyond
that OF healthful progress and stability. That mar
ket longer existed; the supply OF all classes OF
manufactures was In excess Of the demand; a re-
scarce; financial crisis threatened and seemed
inevitable, aud to avoid escape from Its effects
caused marked reduction In the operations OF ali In
dnstria pursuits ana was continued gradually to the
close OF the year. These measures threw thousands
OF .ne aDor,ng 70 M CLASSES -. ou. ., ne, ann
10 almost total absence OF It, Early In the summer
the effects Of all these causes addeAto the passage
Of an act by Congress reducing the hours Of labor
from ten TO eight per day In all the yrous branches
Of government empoyments led the laborers 10 re.
sort 70
In order 10 aneliorate their condition. That Of the
pasterers and ma sons continued for long period.
and finally compromised apparently ia their
favor. But was II really sos We think not They
days work, and in some respects an advance OF
wages but their demands and refusal 10 work
until they were complied with caused cessation III
the class OF improvements upon which their services
were needed. Parties refused to build and many
builders refused TO make new contracts SO that
when the compromise effected and their de-
mands acceded 10 there was but little or no work
for them; they found little Dut unfinished contracts
found employment at all, and thousands now would
be most willing to work not only for the ten hours
1ngmen, including brickayers and house rpenters.
IL s sdfc 10 say that there are In New YORK
which numSer not o more reO'J than N one.ssu,th
now have employment; the rest are wandering
srn N OF & nnt ~ n a ans ~ q % M
ing It. And the
also made strike which held out for the space OF
three months. They were receiving on m average
- per day, and there some occupation for them,
though little. They demanded S. per day ani short
time, and nnay compromised for 81 30 per day
again nomnally a success, but not q real onei for
when they resumed work they. too, found nothing
Tor them to do There were few or ships building,
and the usual amount OF repairing done at thus port
had beed driven elsewhere. where the work would he
done and done cheapy, and now fully three ourths Of
this class are idle. Many have gore away IN search
Of work, and where they do find 1t are very willing
TO work not only for ten hours but at the reduced
Compense OF three dollars per day. In this class may
be included sparmakers, caukers samakers, rig
gers 6c.--a In fact that usually work upon ships.
Atno time within the past twenty years has less been
done In this line than during the year Just gone
Sh,powncrs and builders tell you that frcighls are
low that II IL almost hopeless to obtain inte.
rest from tho investment: and. indeed many assert
that they are satisfied II the vessels DO cause an
absolute loss; but |. IL than probable tnat the
true Of the want OF activity IN this branch lies
In the fact that the capital heretofore employed IN
In