The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-10
THE UNEMPLOYED.
Mass Meeting Of Men Look
ing for Work.
A SERIOUS, ORDERLY GATHERING.
The Views of the Workingmen as
Embodied in Their Resolutions.

WAS sti large gathering Of the better classes OF work
men present Several members othe West side Assoca
sion attended and occupied seats the platte The
meeting called to order by Mr. John Ennis, who
introduced Mr.. George Blair president of the New
York Trades Assembly. us chairman Of the meeting
GEORGE BLAIRs REMARKS.
Mr. BLAIR stated that business had been invited
to attend the meeting as well workingmen, and to
give their OF the out of which had
grown the present terrible condition of the working
class. He referred the appeal made to the author
tiles TO assist the starving workmen and TO prevent
themselves and their families becoming a burden
TO the community as paupers The cause
came from the lack OF appreciation by
capitalists and workingmen OF the wonderful strides
Of machinery within the past quarter OF century and
Its effect upon labor and consumption. His cure for
the present state of affairs contained IN these
words:.'To solve this lprobleml manufacturers must
that the hours OF labor must be reduced IN
order that the thousands who are out OF employment
be employed. THIS DONE it VIII increase consump-
ton and tend TO restore the prosperity OF tho country
The OF the people should provide
whereby the city harbor and internal improvements
be prosecuted thus putting large class Of
work who are not engaged III manufactures or aericu
lure This done, 1t will enable the people pay taxes,
houses will find good tenants and real estate become
remunerative" Mr. Blair concluded by announcing
that tho committee appointed to prepare report upon
the subject OF public employment almost ready to
crescent the result OF their abors to the workingmcn.
Mr. JOHN ENNIS, chairman of the committee the
resolutions of the unemployed, next addressed the
meeting. He said that he had counseed the working
lay their before the heads OF depart
u the city government HIS advice was followed, and
meeting WAS hcld al rompki square, and the men
pcaccably marched TO the Mayors office. Alderman
.evis acting Mayor, and he promised to lay the
sorkngmen's resolutions before the Aldermen and to
BELL ut the Board OF Works and he answered very
svasvey. saying that he was trying to hurry ny tue
work. They also called on Comptroller Green, ana
lie said that his business only to pay proper
Vouchers that II was Tor him 10 act economically
and not allow the CITY to run IN debt The following
day they waited on Mr. Martin, who said he will
ing to push on the improvements coutenp plated
idly possible but he hanpered by oiher officials
who interfered with HIM. While ut tho Park Depart
ment they met committee OF tho West Side Associa
ton looking for adoption of measures which would
enhance the value OF side property. Twenty mill
ions OF dollars would be expended side i'm
provcment II facilities were afforded. That committee
and the workingmen herein accord almost fully. At
the Department OF Docks they were told that obstruc
lions placed In the way OF Improvement,
and that not more than $50 men, tho number
1t present, employed could be put to work. The Com
Council mas TO meet and the heads Of departments
were to oe present 10 answer ON the workinsmen's
case, but His Honor the Mayor(hissesl WAS not pres
cnt, nor any other head OF department except
Mr.. Martin The speaker here went to speak with
some bitterness OF the city government ana vi tho
press the workingmen's best friend, quoting some
editorials of the HERALD sound He thea
would continue 10 20 on dong their work
In the workingmen's interest without any
political assstapce-(applause)-or the aid OF
any politicians. 1t only that very evening
that some POLITICIANS sought to be present among them
hssesl-saying they were invited, but they failed to
succeed. He would denounce and expose the Of
some politicians II necessary. In concluding the
speaker counseled peace and perseverance,.
Mr.. JAMES CONNOLLY was the next speaker. He said
be here night to talk PLAINLY and TO state PLAIN
facts He had say that of the heads Of depart
mcnts treated them courcousy, but he had ascer-
tanned that IN some o the departments ordinances
passed authorizing work had been pigeon
holcd. Mr. Green told them that no was
opposed improvements In the uptown district
but the citizens up there wanted improvements. lie
had never been approached he lad been while
This committee. tie told that of the
working with HIM would sell HIM out lie replied that,
II So he would continue ia work. But he was aston
shed that since he came irto the hall that night
clerk IN the Office OF Andrew II. Green had
called upon him, Enns and others ana asked Tor
permission to address that meeting, and even to
offer himself Ennis and Others political Offices ii
they would work in Green's interest Great excite
ment) Green the great stumbling block to public
improvements Ia this city What the property holders
wanted done, what the taxpayers wanted TO have I'M
proved was what the workingmen wanted 10 get tie
chance TO labor at He wanted to say that no few
workinemen who hold petty political Offices could con-
troll the workingmen. Workingnen might be hood
winkcd tor lew days but they would soon discover
who their enemies and then they would show
how resolved they were to secure their rights. No
matter how many political movements might be made
between election IL would be seen that the
s"rkinrmcn would remain true to their honest psnci-
pies of honest pay Tor honest labor.
Mr. J. j. FiSERTY then read Ihe following preamble
and resolutions:-
SOM EXTRAORDINARY RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas. the condition tue worxnsmen this city has
1878 been steadily growing depqrabie. until
compelled 20 appeal tue Authorities Tor prae'eAi
aid: and whereas upwards Of .oto worSincmen
10 fault OF our own, we feel justified in ,urnisg
our attention to. and eherlshing the hope That,
charity these thousands Of suffering by
present power lawfully public improve
and hi esn
collected aud whereas aiIeu.es now exist among he sy
thousands OF worsingmen are now idle spates which
sr s s. and ss III ss
s.d nefse, OF Tie public ,meness and %hsfe.s n,s
proud owes IL. worSngmen thousands OF whom today
sirh,ed policy 4, ,oncrr nor. The annc OF those upoa
vhose prosperity It's future welfare depends Therefore be
York in meeting assembled. do HEREBY dee'17e that
city government all citizens should their
uenee with the proper anthores with the view Of srrst
the present. raltxation existing ia society in
sequence Of large pumoer OF the community being out of
Resolved. That hold to he the duty OF the state
create labor ~ pe@d OF depr sSon such as We nov ex
who axes and we further dcesre thar bad ,hs policy
been ADOPT real estate would be the laboer
happy ana Che country We further that
nens a. Ia within the awiu power OF the authorities TO
Resolved upon the Immediate prosecution
Of all works authorized by law. aud which have been
rovsrnent that renders possible collect
!o T.. sy aS .pr OF I'VE
and properly owners. demands an emphatic REFUSE
the heads OF departments holding their position
BY virtue OF the Mayor. To- ~hom they are 70
spousibs. IS uuwarrane.s uncaled aud undem
ocrasic, and hold Tat Al '-ew n. Green. ths
Comptroller has ntertcrcd bordering des
with legitimate functions other dcparsments
In the prosecution OF pubhe works
which by the OF departments for
che three years. hold him responsible the
contract in almost all
which enables him to control through favored
whose readily approved
Resolved, That members OF this Republic.
Sled with desire the country which gives the
presed nations shelter protection, ranking
among first OF unseihsh and pstriuc
feelings that when properly considered will
ceive recognition. leave to SUCH ~ may feel
condition tho Mayor
and board Of Aldermen, In whom recognize the
executive branch the city
expect action. and this end the present
Is continued. with poser ana Is hereby IN
strucei upon the soAernor Of the -
and Law the facts before hin demand the
removal of all public officers WHO their position To
vent the prosecution OF public works.
Mr. = T. Church, one OF the property holders OF the
West s,do Association was the next speaker Though