The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-08-12
FROM NEW YORK.
New YORK. Aug. 8. 1876

| I'VE" AOhhs aug. o, 1910.
To the Editor Of the WoRKISeHASs ADVOCATE.
For some weeks past there has been but
little news of interest to the reader Of the
ADVOCATE, transporting among the work.
ingmen and their associations in this local
! ity, except it be the continued reduction in
wages taking place, or attempts on the part
of employers Of labor to enforce reductions
The present week little more activity
prevails, although trade in most branche.
continues unusually dull, with prospect
for the future anything else but encourag.
ing to most Of US. / include in this letter
some items Of interest relating to the work
ng people Of the neighboring State of New
Jersey.
STATE OF TRADE.
The various branches of the shipping
trades are fiat, not one workman in ten in
any branch being employed. With the
building trades about the same state Of af
fairs prevails. In fact the labor market in
this and adjacent cities is largely over
stocked with both skilled and nom skilled
labor.
MEETING OF UNEMPLOYED woRKINGMEN.
On Monday last meeting Of unemploy.
ed workingmen, mainly from the building
trades was held in Tompkins Square, to
take measures for procuring work, and
prevent themselves and families from
starving.
Mr.. John Ennis Of the Plasterers, called
the meeting to order, and in a few brief
remarks counseled the most peaceful meas
ures, and said they were there not actuated
by any communistic ideas, nor by any re-
ligious or political feeling they were sim.
ply starving men anxious and willing t.
work.
A resolution was then offered and adopt
ed that when the meeting adjourned they
proceed in a body to the City Hall, and
demand work from the Mayor, SO as to
remove the wide spread misery among
workingnen. Mr.. Ennis offered the follow.
ing preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, Thirty Thousand men are cut
of employment in this city and are daily
searching for work without success, but art
living on the charity of friends and neigh.
bors, and
Whereas, The workingmen are b6und t.
protect their offspring from starvation, disease
aud other evils, and
Whereas, The City Government, as al
present carried on, is a grevIous burden, cost
ing vast amounts, which are expended in
attending the issues of dead past and not a
| living present.
| Rcsoir,d therefore, that it is the sense OF
this meeting that the condition Of the labor
ing classes demands immediate legislation,
based on principles Of common sense and
justice, amCng which shall be a provision
preventing any interference by third party
with work to be done.
Resolved, that We request the Mayor Il
call, by proclamation, a special sess on Of the
Board Of Aldermen and the heads of depart
ments to amend the present state Of affairs
and act in unison for the best interests of the
city and the people, and that We request the
Mayor to exert his best judgment to settl,
the present differences existing in the Head,
of Departments, whereby work is impedeC
and public money not properly expended.
The resolutions having been adopted tn,
meeting was adjourned, the men formed il
procession, preceded by All escort Of police
and marched down to the City Hall t,
present their grievances before the officials
and request assistance; arrived at the city
Hall, committee consisting of John En-
mis-, chairman, and Messrs. Roach, Eagan
Burke, McGovern, OConnor, Connelll
and Carroll visited the Mayors office, AM
heads Of the several Departments.
On the return Of the committee iron
their mission to the Mayor, Comptrolle
and Heads Of Departments, Mr.. Ennr
reported to the assembled workingmen
that their conference with those officials
50 far as any immediate relief for the work
ingmen was concerned, had been failure
The Comptroller placed the blame Of tn
work on the Parks, Boulevards ETC., no
being in progress, on the Department Q
Public Works; that department said i
was the fault of the Comptroller AL
admitted that there was work to be done
but no official could be found in any o
the departments responsible for the delay
The Committee of Workingmen hav'
again visited the Park and Dock commits
sioners to-day, (Aug. 2d). Promises wer,
made in profusion, but fear they will 2,
but little way in satisfying the hunger 0
unemployed workingmen, Promises from
politicians are cheap article in this mar
ket.
| LONGSHOREMEN.
On July 3lst strike Of workingmeI
was again inaugurated by the Longshore
Tlen employed by the many steamshir