The New York herald., 1873-11-07
rhe Winter and enc UsAcmpioyed-
Public ss well ss Private Measured
OF Relief

A"e Winner enu sho OsN"PA~so
Public rs well ss Private Measure'
OF Relief
Reports from oil the Eastern States cs,nvey
the dismal intelligence OF factories closing,
works suspending. and. as consequence,
thousands of working people of all ages
and sexes thrown out of employment
what has taken place in Troy. Philadelphia
Paterson. Newark and Pttsburg is taking
place daily in New York, and want among the
working class, it is almost certain, will
be widespread during the inclement sea-
son when il Is most felt II is not moment
too soon TO look this fact in the face
In this great Republic no man or woman
willing and able to work should
want for bread. Unless precautions are taken
IN time this want viii exist in thousands of
cases. and may become not merely disgrace
but danger. We have already urged that
private philanthropy should become active,
that movements like that initiated by gentle
man in Wednesday, HERALD-a relief fund for
the poor-should be vigorously supported.
The many excellent organizations for help
ing the poor should turn their attention to
the problem which the coming winter will
present During our civil war it will be
recalled that the blockade OF the South
ern ports produced a ''cotton famine" in
in the cotton industries of Lancashire
were deprived of work, but the energy,
generosity and promptnoss with which the
wealthy classes in England came to their
assistance efiectually prevented anything like
suffering Thus England by timely
and prudent display Of philanthropy,
saved her seli-respect retained her skilled
artisans for better times. and prevented any
Of that wild appeal TO mob force which IL
generated on empty stomachs- Our wealthy
citizens cannot do better than act on this
example.
We have no desire. however, that the
American workingman should be- reduced to
charity for his bread. Nothing could be more
injurious 10 the morale Of the working
classes. What we nov propose is that all
public works city. State and national
which can give employment to numbers
should be carried on on NJ large o scale rs
possible. The docks OF our city are Q dis
grace to . commercial community. The
building Of substantial stone piers is
work which We are rich enough 10 pay
sands could find employment on this
undertaking, who otherwise might starve
in waiting for their usual vocations 10 open.
Now that the vote Of Tuesday last declares the
annexation Of Lower westchester to be an
accomplished fact, let Us have rapid transit
Here il another opportunity for giving the
hand Of assistance 10 men above beg
ging, but not above earning their
bread The fact that rapid transit from
one end Of the island 70 the other
was about to be accomplished would neces-
state the laying out and grading Of streets,
avenues and boulevards IN our new urban
territory. Homes in westchestcr for those
who sigh for pure mir and cheap rents
would then be required forthwith. and
the GROWERS Of the building trades,
master and man. would have an OPP
portunity to work or let IL alone. with
the certainty that other masters and other men
would do it if they failed 10 grasp their OPP
portunity In pointing TO these great wants
Of our city we merely indicate the most OBJ
vious works on which our rulers could provide
for the unemployed masses. II it be
only held in view that the works
have an immediate value 10 the city the
humanity Of our appeal viii not appear in any
eItnvagant light BY SO doing we should
come out Of the present difficulties the more
ready to continue our great forward march.
We commend these suggestions 10 the thought
ful notice Of the people.