The New York herald., 1871-08-19
O2ATORlCAL OUVRIERs.

The Wonderful WOrkingmen's UuiOn-(sOv.
eruOr Hoffman, President Grant, Secretary
Boutwell, and Others to Give the Union
Their Views-A Committee TO Look Over
the City Accounts in Conjunction with lhc
Chamber of Commerce.
A meeting Of the WOrklngmen's Union was held
last evening at No. 1927 Bowery. The attendance
was small but those present strained themselves
that the usual quantity Of turgid eloquence might
be vented. They were thoroughly successful. The
great question or the evening the violations Of
the provisions OF the law fixing the legal number Of
hours OF daily labor at eight The discussion, dur
ing the course OF which many most startling prOpO-
sitlons were evolved from the active brains OF the
labor philosophers was brought about IN this wise.
Mr.. Griffin had been instructed at previous meet
ing to inform Governor HOFFMAN OF the fact tDat
the Commissioners the erection of the Capitol at
Albany were compelling men employed by them to
work ten hours each day, IN direct conflict to the
Eight Hour Law. Further Mr. GrIfiln was required
to procure from Governor Hoffman an answer, en-
bodyng his views in regard to the violation and It's
prevention. Mr.. Griffin having complied with these
directions and having received a reply read the let
ter, preceding It with his own communication to the
Governor Governor HOhman's note set forth tnat
he would upon his return to Albany inquire dilli-
gently into the offence complained Of, and into the
proper enforcement OF the law. 1t concluded by
saying that, the Commissioners OF the Capitol
not his appOlntees ne could hardly be held account
able for their actions. Immediately aIter reading 1t
MIR. Grimm denounced 1t as "pOhtician's letter,
such one as the wOrkngmen have so often been
duped witn, and expressed desire to have 1t ana
lyzed by the gentlemen present. Well was his wish
gratifed. The discussion during the analysis took
the widest range Of subjects. Executive power,
violation OF the federal law OF labor on the
new Post ONCE bulaing, President Grants
nauteur, were among those touched upon One
speaker got his hearers In imagination 10
Forts hamilton and Richmond, and was just
about taking them TO sea when he was
recalled by the chairman. Finally the mouths OF the
orators were stopped by the adoption Of a motion
lnstructing the corresponding secretary 10 again
write to Governor HOFFMAN TO request from hlm a
definite statement Of ms views and his intentions
regarding the enforcement OF the law which had
been pointed OUT to HIM as having been offended
against. Again a debate arose over the reported
violation OF the fedora, labor law at the new Post
ONCE. resolution was passed instrucnng the cor
responding secretary TO write TO President Grant
and Secretary Boutwell, ana secure information from
them as to now the Post ONCE being Duilt, by
tract or otherwise, and their views regarding the
violation Of the law, which shut OF further oratOry.
A brlsy-haired gent who evidently does not
read the newspapers, now arose and read series
OF resolutions calling for the appointment by the
Union Of q committee, which should demand 10 be
allowed In conjunction with one from the Chamber
of Commerce to examine the city accounts They
were voted down. A committee was appointed TO
draft new Tenement House law, perfect the Lien
law and tue C0opers Barreil bll, all OF which
documents are TO be presented at the next session
OF the Legislature The meeting was adjourned,
after committee had been appointed 10 confer
with the Superintendent OF the new Post once.