The New York herald., 1875-12-17
THE COMMON COUNCIL.

MORE DUNcoMBE ABOUT LABoRERs' wAGEs--A
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY RAISED.
The Board Of Aldermen met yesterday quorum
being present and Alderman Riley in the chair
Alderman Morris offered resolution instructing. the
Commissioners Of Public Works to keep the CITY Hal
clock lighted every night the year from sunset 10
sunrise, which carried.
Alderman Billings offered resolution declaring that
due regard for the independence and selfrespsc OF
those who perform labor for the public as well as tho
protection Of the public treasury and or political
morality, require that the administration Or pub
lie charity the hand anu the hiring
OF labor for the public the other should
be completely separated in administration:
that no public officer has either The legal or the moral
rght 70 promise 10 pay or 70 pay more than the just
market value for labor for tho public use
OF 70 employ more persons than the public service
quires.
The Alderman urged its adoption on tho ground that
the city should not pay more than individuals
Alderman Blessing stated that the Board had asked
ne heads Of departments TO increase the pay of labor
ers 9qt they had disregarded IT, He therefore moved
alderman purroy opposed the resolution, which he
considered claptrap.
Alderman Dcane moved as a substitute that the
Doaiu reahrm It's declaration in favor OF 81 day.
hueIinah McCarty opposed the resolution, and
hs en-, sns1 ne knew many private contractors under
Alderman Cole moved TO lay the whole subject on
the table
Alderman Purroy stated that the name or any man
Is sent IN here for Commissioner of Public Works who
is in favor OF reduction laborers wages he could not
vote for him.
Alderman shandley thought the matter was one
which the Board could not remedy H believed there
Is great deal Of buncombe about this matter-that
many men come here and demand that their wages be-
increased II that was done they would De In worse
condition than ever.
Alderman Cole wanted every man 70 hs=e a chancd
to "lubricate" himself but he wanted the laid
on the table.
Alderman seery was in favor OF righteousness
and like his associate (Mr Purroyl he wanted an op-
pEornnity to vote against any Commissioners q Public
Works who was in favor OF low wages
The motion to table lost BY vote Of 70 l3
The substitute Of Alderman Deane was adopted
vote of I6 to 4.
Alderman Morris, in explaining his vote, stated that
ne ala not believe there was laboring man IN this
room who could get work unless he had $40 10 buy
ticket He had been informed that several poor
had paid SO for their tickets
resolution was passed asking the Commissioner Of
Public Works TO compel the Elevated Railroad TO
place the lamps removed during the construction OF
the road in Greenwich street.
The Committee on Law reported that there Is
ample accommodation for tho offices OF the Public Adj
mnisrator and Corporation Attorney the door ad-
jacent TO the chamber OF the Common CcunciL They
offered resolution setting apart the old Board or
Supervisors room and those occupied by the janor
the second floor
Mr. Purroy stated that the ianitors sleeping room
was as large the Council chamber and other officials
had equally spacious apartments that should be
pied instead of paying rent outside
The Committee on County Affairs and the Committee
on Law were empowered TO meet in conference and
port at a subsequent meeting.
Messrs. NORRIS Secry and Purroy appointed a
committee to investigate the charge Alderman Nor
ris that aborers had been charged $40 FOR labor
tickets.
Alderman Gross called up his ordinance for appro-
priang 81 666 666 66 for the Brooklyn Bridge which
laid against the protest Of Alderman Norris
who said he wanted TO voo against IT. as tire city had
given Brooklyn too much already, including 500 0C0
year for five years by way OF ferry franchise Alter
the passage of general orders the Board adjourned