The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-30
GRANT AND THE WORKINGMEN.
Interview Of New York Mechanics With the
President General Makes a Flank
Movement on Columbus-The Eight
Hour Law To Be Enforced-Sena-
tor Wilson on Davis Nomination.
WASHINGTON, April 90, 1872.

WASHINGTON, April 90 1872.
The President was called upon to-day by dele
CATION from New York city representing working
mems associations, and composed of Messrs John
G. Graham, Grand Master Of the United Order of
American Bricklayers; Arthur Mclaughlin and
Michael J. DAILY who had interviews with him in
regard to the workings Of the Eight Hour law In
New York.
The delegation asked that the Eight Hour law be
enforced on the work done on the New York Post
ONCE, and that the worklngmen be paid the high.
est local wages for similar works. per day.
The President said that this request must be
granted, and that they must be treated the same
the men employed on the public buildings in
South Carolina, receiving full days pay for eight
hours work, and extra pay for extra hours which
they may feel disposed to labor. Prior to the de-
parture OF this committee he gave them note to
the Secretary OF the Treasury asking him to listen
to their complaints, and saying
~ have stated to the committee that all en-
fits Of the Eight Hour law long as stands on the
statute books.s
The delegation afterwards had an interview with
Judge Richardson, who cordially received them,
asking them to make statement in writing prom
Using to investigate their complaint at once.
INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR WILSON,
The committee subsequently had a brief inter-
view with Senator Wilson, during which they dis
cussed the Columbus nomination. The Senator re-
marked that he did not arrogate to himself any
credit for being the laboring mans friend, as he
sprang from that class and had not, even after
years public life, been able to rise above the ordi-
nary pecunary condition OF his origin. Referring
to the nomination OF Judge Davis he agreed with
the delegation that II was unauthorized and III
advised.
at wasr said he, "the act OF a few scheming
politicians, who had for an object the disruption OF
present political organizations. They did not seek
the good OF the laboring men they would not
have placed on their ticket worth So 600 900,
who naturally represents capital rather than
labor"
The delegation agreed to this proposition, and In
formed the Senator that the best information OBJ
tanned by them regarding the Columbus Convention
induced them to believe that none OF the dele
gates from New England or the Eastern
States we're properly authorized to represent
the large body OF citizens whose inter-
ests they so basely betrayed. They added
that at the proper time the oficial letter OF the
Massachusetts, Association Of Crispins, together
with other similar declarations from kindred or
CARNATIONS, win be made public, regulating the
nomination Of Davis and Parker.
In answer to a suggestion from Mr. Wilson that
General Grants prospects for reelection very
good, the delegation expressed the unanimous
opinion that his action to-day regarding the en-
forcement of the Eight Hour law and his evident
interest in the welfare OF the laboring classes as
expressed by him during their interview, would
recommend him more earnestly and successfully to
them than the nomination Of twenty such conven-
tons as the one held at Columbus.