The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-13
POLITICIANS and LADORERS.
The Reduction of City Work
ingmen's Wages.
l Il : T. i + T. 9 7 !.
Action OF Tammany Hall and
the Republicans.
LETTER FROM A WORKlNGMAN.

ing classes growing out OF a reduction OF wages on
| public works in this city, has assumed threaten
ing proportions during the past week. Tammany
Han has brought trouble upon It's shoulders In
| this connection. The leaders nave had several
secret consultations. They appreciate the danger
| or tamperlng with the poor man. The mainstay
ana backbone OF the Tammany organization in all
It's victories has been the aborers, Irish and Ger
man. The kid-glove element who sup at the Man
haitian Club and perambulate Fifth avenue in ele-
| CANT broadcloth may do very well as ornamental
statues for political decoration but when cleo
ton day comes the horny listed sons OF toll are
the men who do the voting and work around the
wards. shower OF rain VIII not keep them
away from the polling places. They do not fear
song patent leather boots or sWallow-tal coats.
Tney hold the balance OF power; nave at least
10000 votes QUE OF the 200 generally poled.
These men are therefore worth cultivaung by the
! politicians
DEMAGoGUEs AND wIREPULLERs.
| however, generally succeed in throwing dust in
\ the eyes OF this class OF men. 1t is now little
over four months before an election can take
place. A democratic Mayor and Commissioner OF
Public Works, together with several republican
onncias, hold meeting and agree TO reduce the
lanorers' pay on city works TO twenty cents per
hour. It's Justice s another question. storm Is
raised. The men strike on the Boulevard. Some
action. There is bitter denunclation OF Tammany
Han and the politicians by the laDorers. What is
to be donei The leaders in the Wigwam perceive
that a mistake has been made somewhere. A
meeting OF the General Committee Is called. Reso-
utlons are introduced In opposition to this reduc-
ton. Judge Clancy attempts 10 secure their
passage. An immense majority of the committee
are in favor OF immediate action. "Chief Justlcei
onnn is in the chair 'Bossn John Kelly wishes
I
ganization. Tue 'Chief Justice" decides IN favor
OF ''the Bossn and the meeting breaks up in
uproar. Here was a dilemma for Tammany.
Tne democratic Mayor had acquiesced in the
resolutions or reduction. Mr.. wickham had been
announced az my candidatsn at the nominating
convention or "BosS" Kelly. When leader thus
publicly claims 10 own candidate body ana soul,
he must certainly stand or fan with the OF his
choice. The labor interest OF the city up IN arms
AMI something must be done.
POLITICAL 2pUsT rHRowSG.r
Several meetings OF ward committees were held
during the week and more will be neld next week.
These meetings are convened for the purpose OF
expressing dissatisfaction with the reduction OF
laborers' wages ana throwing dust in the eyes OF
those poor men. A singular ard contradictory
resolution was passed at the meeting OF the SIX
teenth Assembly District Tammany Committee. In
which Mayor Wickham and Mr.. John Kelly we're
lauued TO the skies ana the laborers sympathzed
with until tears ran down the caeeks OF several
fat ONCE holders. This condition OF affairs exists
all over the clty ana similar exhibitions or "dust
tnrowing' win take place next week. II the
ducilon is proper, then let the Mayor and Commits
soners stick to their colors. Blatant and pun-
comoe resolutions must not swerye taem from
their duty.
THE RErUsIIcAS STANDPOINT.
Turning from the willy movements OF the braves
OF the wigwam and studying the tactics OF repub-
lcans on this Imp ortant labor question the same
deductions must be reached. Both parties now
earnestly desire 20 snIft the responsibility on the
other. II Is undeniaoe that several republican
Commiss ,oners attended the meeting in the May
ors once and recorded their votes IN favor OF the
reduction. In conversation with one OF the re-
publican leaders yesterday afternoon. however,
the HERALD representative was informed that
/ commissioners Dlsbecker Wales ana others Of
their party were so suoservlent 70 lhe mayor that
4 they could Dot AFFORD TO do anything but ooey the
/ behests OF HIS Honor. The Republican General
/ Committee had meeting on Friday night, bat
! did not aude 10 this question even IN the most
i Indirect way. several prominent republican poll
ticiaus nave been called upon by workngmen's
delegations asking interference In TINS matter
/ Of reducron Of wages. Mr. JACOB Hess,
/ repu liean member OF Assembly from the
twentieth district was solicited by representative
organizauons Of worSirEmen to call public meet
/ ing In has section for tne purpose OF expressing
opposition 70 tnIs treatment OF the labornG
classes he was at the same time rendered .
unouc dinner By number OF clIizens. Straws
snow whica way the Wind blows, and unless Tam
MANY nali speedily wakes up the republicans may
steal away the vote oi the w0rkinEmen on somo
mythical promises Of oeing their only riends.
ACTION or rHE TAAAASY GENERAL COMMITTEE.
AZ the meeting OF the Tsmmany General Com
m1itee yesterday afternoon the subcommittee,
ing the city authorities 10 revert IRON the reduc-
| ton OF tue laborers wages, presented a report.
! the main points or which were "a iollows:-
I Tne cefnmittee met on Monday last to take ac-
ton on the question. II WAS decided 70 address
courteous letters Y tse departments Of iuDnc
| the reasons for the reduction. They received
! without delay equally courteous replies, IN whicn
the two principal reasons assigned were that the
/ city had been paying more money Tor labor than
private individuals, and that there was such IA
/ excess Of labOrers that more people were seeking
/ employment tnan the CITY could possibly employ.
In ms letter the commissioner OF Pubic WORKS
stated that
The prices generally paid Tor labor OF the kind which
Is affected ~ the recent regulations have or long time
this and other departments the city Cover nmon.
And the Iendeaey nss BEEN En-. s,esqy !ors sa
recovering from ne disturbing influences Q. sas
wheb ~ unse,,tes o Al priess IN intiaa1s the cur.
renoy; Under such circumstance continuance by tins
JUSTIFIED BY rale honest administration o. lair
rasees Of he ,sxpaysrs ia making as5urs. q
paeie moneys And me taxpayers q the city should
to act, 70 pay, whether tor supplies Or Tor labor
same tnInss 6y Individual citizens IN rsnssctns their
SSn s9 mon e od s y s X 81 hs e
rent wages or similar work generally PAD ~ iae time
they would appear p se msTc gra,utes an nd, a.
officer can have Iog giving away public moneys
indeed, ] an informed that = number q our tax
ses wnis6 were uati reesss pad BY tie city and
on labor we're al tie time the reduction made ac-
ually in consultation vlth counsel win view 2 pro-
the other departments from paving rates which might
ngss here SoSR oa ne q mem very
PrsSesy eau Attention = ,ns 49, NAV When ne nnb