New-York tribune., 1874-01-14
LABOR PROBLEMS UNSOLVED.

DEMANDS OF THE BOSTON woRKINGMES- MAYOR
CoBB's REPLY-wHAr HE THINKS OF THE sITUA-
TON.
BosToN, Jan. 13.-Wm. Murray, Chairman of
the recent labor meeting in Faneui Hall, with several
other men interested in labor reform. waited upon
Mayor Cobb at the City Hall to-day, and presented
address asking the city authorities TO purchase land in
the vicinity OF Quincy and Faneu markets. which have
become small and exclusive for the accommodation
of the people, and begin the erection Of great
house sufficient for tho accommodation Of all venders
who have goods to sell, and OF the public who wish
to buy to begin immediately the construction
Of sufficient reservoirs and aGueducts TO supply
the people Of Boston with sufieency of
pure water; to proceed at once TO the erection Of
courthouse and city hall sufficient for the public
qurements to take measures for the construction
the part the city OF suitable works for the supply TO
citizens of plenty Of good light by night at reasonable
charge and also asking that contractors be dealt
with in the employment OF labor, but that wOrkingmen
be hired directly by the city authorities; that by
equitable municipal ordinance their work and time be
established at eight hours per day; and that
il funds wanting city scrip be issued In pay
ment for labor. In responding Mayor Cobb said
have no intention OF trying entertain pcrplex
you with gtterng generalities about the relations OF
capital and labor going about to get the better OF you
with words. What have to say In answer to your re-
quest will be in plain straightforward manner IL
not able 70 grant all you desire viii at least be
city authorities TO give employment this Winter to
many applicants for work as possible and II the
declare the Willingness OF those VINO may be employed
certiGcates Of at par with currency No
the want OF funds will be pleaded by me
for not furnishing work. have doubt the means
can easily be obtained for making all such improve
ments and carrying all such works as are necessary
II the credit Of the city had fallen SO low that
unable to o9'an Gney on es e TO
tons which did last week to the City Council be.
eve the to such an expedient as you suggest
even temporarily would have very bad effect on the
future credit Of the city, and would in the end produce
far greater distress among the workingmen than that
ing policy which, in the hands OF political corpora
ton. would be almost certain to lead to abuses When
corporation Is reduced to paying It's men on Saturday
night with paper manufacture, It is time for
that corporation to contract its operations. or bank
The Mayor proceeded to state that the public funds
cannot be used for work and only for the
public benefit legitimately authorized, and that
fictitious demand for labor would grow by what 1t fed
on"
He continued:
entered upon. II you undertook to limit It to the
workingmen Of Boston, the number out Of employment
would speedily increase while the places they formerly
d wUud be occupied men attracted 4ss
has believe been found to operate njuriousy TO the
bests interests Of the worangmen II creates large e
stead OF depending on their own eIertons The ouoof
late financial disturbance are already passing away.
Our manufactures will soon resume their wonted &c
vity, and have doubt there VIII be plenty OF
work for sl who desire It,
STRIKE OF ARMED NEGROES IN LOUISIANA
NEw-ORLEANs, Jan. 13.-The negroes on
Bsyous Lafouche and Teche strike, the land
having resolved pay si6 per month.
They paid >7o last year. large number Of mounted
60 from place to place. allowing none TO work. The
following message Was received by Gov. Kellogg:
CHAcAHoULA, La, Jan. IL 1874
DEAR SIR: Send us assistance immediately. Our sec
ton IL In OF and alarm All work is aus
pended. Armed bodies OF mounted men enter our
premises In spite OF romonsrances and threaten
the lives OF sll work Our peace and safety demand
immediate action at your hands
The message Is signed by numerous citizens Of that
region A number Of people from that quarter called
upon Governor to-day and urged him to send mme-
diate relief The Governor stated that force would
probably DO sent Tomorrow.