The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-27
GREAT OUTPOUaING OF LABOR.
IL Demands Employment.
Interview With the Mayor and City
Council.

These meetings were held for the purpose O
consulting as to the best means of obtaining
work or relief for those ont Of employment
1t was finally determined to hold a mas
meeting, at West Twelfth street Turner Hall
on Sunday, the 2lst inst, at which time an'
place those leading the movement would giv'
their views in full. In pursuance to cal
for mass meeting at the above place anC
time, a large number Of the unemployed
workingmen assembled. After the meeting
had been organized, speeches were delivered
in German, French and English. The speak
ers spoke in very strong Ian yuage, demanding
that the city should find employment for thu
unemployed, and for those who could not b'
employed, food and shelter. A series Of res
olutions expressive Of the sense Of the meet
ing was adopted, and committee appointed
to wait on the Mayor and City Council, OF
Monday evening, and make known to then
the wishes of the meeting, after which the
meeting adjourned.
THE TURNOUT on MONDAY EVENING.
About O'Clock on Monday evening, the
22d, a procession was formed on the corner
Of Randolph and Union, and dividing into
two bodies, marched in opposite directions to
| the City Hall, where were assembled togeth-
er about 10000 persons. On arriving at the
City Hall, the Committee proceeded to the
Council Chamber, and through Mr.. Francis
Hoffman, presented their case. After hear
ing the case, Aid. Cullerton presented the
following resolutions, which were adopted.
WHEREAS, At meeting held on the West
Side, at the Turner Hall, on Sunday, the
2lst inst, it was alleged that large number
of residents Of this city, able and willing to
work, were without the means of supplying
themselves and their families with the neces-
saries Of lite; and
WHEREAS, Said destitute persons demand
work or aid from the city; and
WHEREAS. The city treasury is in such a
depleted condition that it is impossible to aid
such persons Immediately, direcrly or indi-
rectly. and having no authority to contract a
large debt by borrowing money; and
WHEREAS, 1t is understood that the Relief
and Aid Society has large amount of money
ON hand contributed for the relief Of worthy
distressed residents of this CITY; therefore
| be it
Resolved, That said Relief and Aid Socie-
ty be and they are hereby requested TO ex-
pend and distribute the funds in their hands
| literally to all persons needing aid, and that
fer the purpose OF supplying immediate wants
they employ efficient force to examine in
to the needs OF residents, and to relieve the
needy to the full extent Of their ability; and
| be it further
Resolved, That a committee of three AL
dermen from each division Of the city be ap.
pointed by the Mayor to assist the said Re
lief and Aid Society in the proper distribu
ton Of the said relief funds
The following was also presented by Aid
Bailey, and passed:
WHGREAs, IL would appear from the nu
merous reports of distress among the labor
ing population Of our city, that there is ur
gent need of immediate active measures being
taken for their relief and
WHEREAS, 1t would also appear that the
said laboring classes are by means Of public
meetings bringing their grievances before
their more prosperous fellow citizens III
manner that is calculated to evoke the sym
pathy of every right minded citizen; and
| WHEREAS, 1t is commonly believed that
there is now the large balance Of 81, 900, coz
remaining in the hands Of the Relief and Aid
Society Of this city; and
WHEREAS, 1t also appears from the recent
financial statement of the Treasurer of Cook
County that the Board of Commissioners OF
Cook County are in a position to render ma.
terial succor to our poor in this hour of then
urgent appeals for help; therefore
Resolved, That committee Of five mem
bers of this Board be appointed to wait Oh
the Relief and Aid Society of this city and
| - II
County to ascertain how far these bodies NAV
be disposed to enter into active cooper tloI
with the Board of the Common Council, will
a view to the relief of the said laboring class
es by providing means of honest labor, anC
thus saving them from absolute pauperisn
and possibly from crime.
His Honor, the Mayor, addressed the com
mittee, expressing his sympathy for the work
ing people, and promising as far as his Infu
ence and power would 60 he would throw i
in favor Of the workingmen. Other mem
bers of the Council spoke to the same effect
Finally committee Of nine was appointed t,
confer with the committee from the working
men. The time of meeting between the com
mittees was set for o'clock the next dav
|
meeting of the Special Committee of tn
Common Council and the committee appoint
elk by the working men at the meeting hel.
at Turner Hall on the West Side last SUNDAY
took place. Mayor Colvin presided
and there were present Aids. Nc
Grath, Corcoran, NJ. B. Bailey, Heath
Schaffner, Moore, Stone, Richardson
Stout, O'Brien, T. b. Bailey, Spauldine
Brand, CulIerton, and Dixon, on the part Q
the city, and Messrs. John McAuliffe. Ian
rits Thorsmark, John Hanson, H. L. Hern
ault, Krzemieniceki, Henry Stohl, Chr. Kran
on the part of the workIngmen
Mayor Colvin stated the object Of til
meeting TO be the devising ct some means /
relieve the unemployed people of the city
As to the exact method to be adopted, h
could not state. but he suggested the appoint
ment of a committee to confer with the Re
lief and Aid Society. This society had fund
to the amount Of $500, 900, and he though
the best way to distribute aid to the sufferin
and needy people was through COMMITTEES.
He would then have these committees ope
stores, buy provisions, and give them to tn
poor people. He had some ten years exp.
rience with poor people, and found that Ii
, nearer you brought home relief work Ii
: more effective would be the assistance. n
: favored the appointment of an Alderman
the head of the committee in each ward.
. Alderman Richardson wanted to know no
!; the Alderman could ascertain just what pc
: pie are in destitute circumstances.
: Alderman Dixon said when he found Pc
!, sons in destitution he accompanied them
!; the Relief Association and tried to secu
|, work for them.
In reply to Aid Brand, Mr.. McAaliffe u