The New York herald., 1873-11-20
THE LABOR QUESTION.

Mayor Havemeysr and Comptroller
Green Called Upon by q Committee of
the Workingmen's Central Council
Prosecution Of Public Work Asked For.
The several associations in the city, organized
for the promotion OF the welfare OF the working
men, are laboring industriously, through COM
mittees appointed for the special business, to in
duce the authorities who nave the power In New
York TO give them employment. For weeks the
important topic around the City Hall has been the
labor question, and heads OF departments have
been interviewed and talked 10 with such zeal and
persistency that at last they expressed their
Willingness to receive oficially such deputations
as were entitlen to~have hearing. The 'nelu
day. in this respect was yesterday and there was
much consultation In various ways with the num-
icpal authorities who have the "sayn in
this respect At noon the Committee OF
the WorKingmen's Central Council, led by James
Connolly, called upon Mayor Havemeyer and
Comptroller Green to present their claims and ask
them to assist the unemployed or tfe city, The
deputation was divided. and one portion visited
the Mayor while the other went to the Comp
troller's of1ce. The Iormer comprising fifteen or
twenty well dressed persons, were well received
by the Mayor, when their spokesman Connolly
presented the case OF his associates. He did not
desire to trouble the Mayor, but his association
the members were IN such strait that they must
APPEAL FOR HELP.
Not since the year 1887 were there so many men
without work IN New YORK, and they felt that II the
Board Of Aportionment would only endorse the ac-
ton OF those who have the power TO order improve
ments, there would be work enough of all kinds
for artisans to give employment to 10000
men. Mr. Connolly also referred to the proposed
Industrial Exhibition buildings In the city, and
while he did not vouch for the honesty OF the project
OF which question the workingmen had nothing to
do he asked that the buildings, II construction
rails and the men employed residents OF the State
whether citizens OF not. He also requested that
the stone ne should be cut cut on the ground as there
In addition, he suggested that the Department OF
Docks commence work, as through this channel
utter destltuton. In the course of his remarks ne
forcibly adverted to the fact that whenever there
is trouble in the financial world or revolutions OF
any character In society the burden fell upon the
" In response the Mayor went over wide field
He knew
THE WANTS OF TUE LABoRING MEN
and fully appreciated them. The years OF reckless
ah sn ,args tbat ~ ey mao saddied with
be the first aim Of all who held the reins OF the
government to sustain It's credit. This could not
be done unless economy was practised In all its
branches. He would aid them all that he could,
but they must remember that as In all callings,
the employer had the right to name his own terms
for what he wished done. Mr.. Connolly iuly &C.
corded with the Mayor regarding his position, so
lar as wages we're concerned, and IL was far from
the policy 0l the organization which he repre-
sented to dictate the least in this respect All they
wanted was work, and there would be but little
trouble respecting wages. The committee then
retired.
the INTERVIEW WITH COMPTROLLER GREEN
was OF like character as that narrated OF the
Mayor though not quite so satisfactory. He talked
to them OF the contracts that had already been
made and. said that while he was trying to be
economical he did not wish to lose sight of the
claims which the workingmen undoubtedly had.
At least this was the burden oY his remarks, as
reported by one OF the men who was deputed to
see him.
Upon the whole the committee were not dis
pleased with their interviews, yet they shook their
heads when the question oil Have the conferences
been OF any practical useV' were asked them.
They feel that the city should give them work I'm
thus season OF depression and aflrm that II II Is