, 1873-12-28
OH Gbi1tex4pn. 02ibu1se.
Sunday Morning, December 49, 1873.


THE ESSENCE or THE WHOLE MATTER.
The proceedings Of the joint meeting Of the
Mayor Common Council, Committee Of Work.
;urmon, md Of tho Relief and Aid Society, On
Friday night wero productive Of good. The
principal and most beneficial result Sns tho de-
n1olehing Of all dclueions, shams, md misropro-
scntauons, end establishing to the satisfaction
of everybody concerned tho following facts:
l. That tho City Of Chicago has no money at
i.s command, oven II it had authority, to expand
for public works, nor to advance to workmen
out OF employment. j..
2. That the Government Of this city is not
constituted for tho purpose. nor has 1T any an-
thority to engage in manufacturing or other
business; that 1t cannot carry on any public
work itself; that WHOM public works are needed,
ana tho money is raised for that purpoae, the
Same must 10 let by eontract to the lowest
bidder.
8. That tho Relief and Aid Society havo the
menus and machinery to relieve eSefy case OF
actual want In the city, upon being informed OF
tho facts: that whenever it is brought to thcir
knowledge TINT any porson or family ie out OF
employment md In need Of fuel, clothing, or
gunnliea, the Society will furnish the same until
such timo Us tho destitution ceases, or employ
msnt il found.
Now. here are the plain facts +; and since thore
can bo no such thing rs starvation or suffering
for want Of food or fuel, au further TALK OF CO.
ercing tho city authorities and the public gon-
erally is uaeless, and can Servo no end but VI
cious one. Tho worknon who were induced to send
In tho request to the Common Council probably
beloved that that body waB ab1o to grant It.
They aro now undecoived. We havc no doubt
that they ayo honest aud peacoably disposed; and
for TINT roason we tell the city authorities that
thcro can DO no further apology for buncomhe
ppecchos or paltering promises. Fortunately
the workiugmon themselves can SEQ through oil
such stupid pn1ayer, and they entertain
suitable aud hearty contempt for it.
The answer Of tho Mayor aud Council having
bean g1yon, and tho facts being admitted on al
hands, it only remains for them to preserve tht
poaco, if nttaclsed. b..
Tic rosumption Of work by several Of th'
closed factories will furnish considerable relic
very soon after New Years. Other employ
mcnts,, Mt present temporarily suspended, wil
follow suit. The outdoor work must, 81 !
always the case in Chicago in tho winter, be SUE
pended. The winter, SO far, has been an un
usually mild ono, and tho severity, whom
comes, cannot lust much ovor two month";
During thoae two months overY workman out
employment. in actual want, can obtain tt
needed assistance from the Relief on
Aid Society. It ia fortunate that til
agency Of relief exists, and that 1t hi
the neans to reach every case of actu
want. The whole matter haa now bcen fully di
cuaaed. All persons know and understand VIII
the city cannot do, and what tho Relief and A
Society can do: There is no room loft for tho
who would raiao tho cry Of Bread or blood
bccauBe bread can bo had without blood.
such cry is raised 1t will bo the duty Of tt
Mayor to tako prompt measures for tho preserV
ton Of order; aud, II ho performs his du
promptly and firmly, ho will find oil the ASST
nnro lie moods. -