The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-12
THE TRADES UNIONS.

The thousands Of workingmen who are members
OF the trades unions in this city are fully alive TO
the stern aspect OF the present state Of restitution
among the iaboring classes. The majority of these
men, IL not all OF them. nave in no way sympa.
thized or taken part with that body who have
been calling themselves Communists, and who
mngle with some sound views as to the existing
distress multitude OF opinions which are not
shared by the old and regular trade organizations
For considerable time past nearly every trade
organization in this city has been for the most part
conducted on the plan OF secret societies, expert
ence having shown them, so they allege that 1t is
necessary TO conceal rom the "bossesr the reso.
lutions that may have been formed until the time
for action should arrive.
TRADE TREASURES.
Many II these organizations have treasures well
flied, and few nave them OVERCOMING; but all
this money is perfectly useless to the men far as
the ability to use 1t for emergencies like the
present Is concerned. The constitutions Of the
organizations absolutely prohibit the use Of any
money In the treasury except Tor the specified pur-
pose OF paying the expenses Of sick members and
for burials and, in cases Of great emergency. for
strikes. II IL, therefore, plain that members Of the
organizations who may be out of work have no
claim whatever upon the trade treasures. and
other means must be taken by which relief may be
Afforded. In an emergency like the present each
organization has got to act for ITSELF and what
ever OF relief Is secured must be the result OF the
voluntary action OF brother members toward each
otner.
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.
It can be stated on good authority that OF the
thousands OF trades union men in the city, the
printers alone excepted, fully efourths OF them
are now out OF work. SO far as could be ascer.
tanned the relief afforded to these unemployed
hosa -
TO about s15, OoO-Guite a handsome sum to have
been voluntarily donated during the last two
months by the comparatively few men who were
stin earning wages. This money was raised at the
ordinary meetings and distributed by the secreta-
RES in accordance with well understood rules
among the destitute members. IL mas been, OF
course and still Is, matter of delicacy on the part
OF the societies to keep secret the minute partlcu
lars IN regard to matter OF this sort. but IL h
plain from their revelations that the members or
the several societies have been doing their best to
MORAL PRESSURE FOR RELIEF
The Workingmens Union, at an early stage bf
the distress endeavored to grapple with the dim
Guilty by trying to procure pubic work for the
and thus to gye an tD TO rade gen ss
= orkfnRmen's Union, was sent to Albany to urge
upon the legislators the absolute need there was
t hs
were made by Senators and Assemblymen, and
thousands Of men were to be put to WORK; but
nothing practical has yet emanated from Albany.
This being so, the trades unions have resolved
upon making another effort ana the next time
redress, believing that the hour has come
when everybody is alike concerned In the growing
desutution among those who are Wiling 70 work.
Delegates from the several building organizations
have already met and conferred In regard to the
method TO be adopted for securing the end In view,
and 1t has been determined to hold at an early day
grand mass meeting in Cooper Institute. under
the auspices Of the WOrkinRmen's Unt0n when the
plain truth OF the situation Will be explained and
the membersof the various trade ORGANIZATIONS