The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1874-08-21
Horhingnaen's Meeting.
Disorder aud Confitsion-ErpreSssd Dis
istdctio'a-Politicdl Schemeing
Spspected-Nothing Accom-

III tit NALEIIE, iIOul thiCC w io.sA
bred workingmen assembled at the City
Hall, last evening, all eager to ascertain
the object of the meeting, which seemed
to be the unanswerable query OF the
evening. In fact no one knew either the
object or origin of the assemblage.
At an early hour the Hall was filled To
OVERLOOKING, standing room being, sought
for in vain. After an impatient delay OF
several minutes, Mr.. c. {. Carpenter, by
a unanimous vote Of the audience, took
the chair. Calling the meeting to order,
he stated that the object of the assem-
blage was unknown to him, rs he had
very Unexpectedly been called to preside
and had no idea of taking SO conspicuous
part in the proceedings until called
upon SO to do. but as an unemployed
workinglnan he would endeavor to ad.
vance the interests of his comrades. and
thought the best plan of action would be
to have an interchange of views as to
the best course to pursue to meet the
demands of the unemployed working
men of Wilmington, in this, their hour
of need.
A motion was then made that COM
mittee of three be appointed to wait on
Council, then in session, and request
them to take an interest in behalf OF the
unemployed workingmen of the city.
This motion caused considerable con-
fusion in the audience. and came near
causing the meeting to break up in dis
order and confusion. In the turbulence
that ensued, different versions of the
object of the meeting were set forth,
some to the effect that it was a political
scheme to act in concert with the Ring
organization, to monopolize the use OF
the political rights of the workingmen
that Mr.. Gallagher had expressed his
intention to employ 10 man in the
construction of the new reservoir who
would refuse to vote the Republican
ticket at the approaching election, and
that this meeting was intended to up
hold Mr.. Gallagher in carrying out this
design. Others believed to the contrary.
Motions to adjourn were echoed through
the room, and all were trying to make
themselves heard at the same time.
Some wished to demand this assistance
of Council instead Of request 1t. In
fact such discord prevailed that it re-
quired the utmost efforts Of the chair
man to quiet the audience long enough
to attempt an explanation.
When quiet was once more restored,
Mr.. Carpenter stated that he knew moth
ing of the origin of the call for the meet :
ing, but was convinced within himself
that the object was not, as they suppos-
ed. a political scheme, but that it was
intended in good faith to promote the
welfare Of the unemployed workingmen
of this city. He said that he, as an un-
employed workingman, would work on
the new basin, and shovel dirt for Capt.
Gallagher or any other man who might
have the work in charge, and he dared
Capt. Gallagher or Captain anybody else
to make any such proposition to him in
regard to voting; that the workingmen
wanted bread, and would have bread
that he who would see his family suffer
in preference to shoveling dirt, whether
a mechanic or not, had not the first prin-
ciples of manhood about him. He he
lieved that the reputed assertion of Mr.
Gallagher was false, and that they origi-
mated with Erery Erening to have effect
in their opposition to Mr.. Gallagher and
the Ring" that had that paper receiv.
ed a portion of the profitable printing
of the organization, no such reports
would have been extant. That ii was q
gross misrepresentation of the working
men, who were more honorable and indie
pendent, as a class, than those editor,
were or any person who would sanction
| the utterance of such libel. Applause.
At this juncture, Mr.. Cameron, Junio
editor of Every Evening, stated that h.
was prepared to vouch for the correct
ness of the assertions made by tina
paper, and that Mr.. Gallagher had sale
in his and the presence OF NV othe
| gentlemen that 'he would employ n
man who would refuse to vote the he
publican ticket and support that party.
Mr.. Carpenter replied that if such b
a fact, he would advise the men to dis
| e11ph action and
their approval or disapproval of his con
duct at the ballot box, and give sue
men control as would reflect credit upo
their constituents, who alone shoul
reap the benefits resulting from the eS
ercise Of the right OF franchise, and dis
card such men as would use them as IN
struments to advance their own pcCun
airy interests.
Mr. George Day then said he had
proposition TO make in behalf Of III
, workingmen of Wilmington, which h
thought would meet with unanimous Al
proval and result benehcially TO thu
class of citizens now out OF employment
He suggested that Il committee OF thrt
be appointed TO draw resolution to !
presented to Council, asking that the
pass the ordinance now pending in thu
2 body in regard to the construction of Il
a | new reservoir, ltiutSi W vi
, ploy all residents Of this city who app
! to them and are competent to perfor
: the work required, at a salary Of 81
n per day, without regard to political con
. plexion.
The suggestion was accepted, second,
$ and unanimously adopted as II motto
and the chair appointed Messrs. q. Da
lC. McCmskey and w. G. Cameron sa
: committee to draw off the resolution Al
l. present it to Council.
/ While the committee were engaged
: this work, Mr.. Geo. W. Roberts was ca
ed for, who responded in brief but e
= tertaining address, in which he gave Il
Il workingmen some commendable ar
wholesome advice.
# He said that as an unemployed wor
ingman he wonld suggest that they c
y ganize and act for and within theI
s. selves, exclusive of any political SEN
r ment; that the balance OF power at t
~ ballot-box rested in them and they con
- place such men in Office as would ser
their interests in a manner due to the
l. and the prosperity Of the country. TIL
he would not propose to Council u
method by which they would be benet
ie ted, yet he was in full accord and sy
Is pathy with their best interests; that
is was opposed to the contract system
no doing such work as proposed in the or