The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-01-20
CUR NEW YORK LETTER.

| begins to be discernibIe to ordinary
vision. The logic of events in the Gu
ban matter brings conviction that some
thing is in the wind, but just what it is,
or wether the gathering storm will burst
or pass us by none but few sensational
| journalists venture to assert. A private,
or might almost say secret, letter, sent
out by our Government to feel the pulse
of Europe on the subject of intervention,
| together with the sudden overhauling
of the Navy and the sending of coal and
stores to Southern ports, can hardly be
| without meaning, though the probabili-
| ties would seem to be against SPANS
venturing to take up a third war, and
that with a power like our own. Still,
it is not impossible that the crafty
Spa niards, feeling the inability to SUBJ
iugate their distant and determined
province, yet unwilling to acknowledge
the fact, now seek more honorable
egress from their dilemma, by precipiat
ing a conflict so manifestly unequal
that they can gracefully yield to over
towering force. Should that programme
be carried out, it requires no prophet
to foretell the destiny of Cuba. A
carpet-bag governor, half a dozen ear
petbag congressman one Or two hundred
patriotic post masters, a few NUM-
cipal rings for Havana, with a good
conscientious New York 'Boss" to en-
courage the religious element in ward
primaries, and personally defend tie
purity of ballot and bench, and, presto
the thing is accomplished; our glorious
republican institutions are firmly rooted
in her priest ridden, blooddrenched soil;
import duties drop off our best cigars
the immoral and degrading bull-fght
disappears before the refining influence
of dog and prize-fghts, and the Ameri-
can Eagle stretches his protecting wing
over the island generally.
1t is certainly an enchanting prospect,
but nevertheless let us hope that it is
distant one; that the war talk is all a
scare, and that the opening year of our
secoui: century may show no stain of
blood that is not shed in defence of our
rights, our liberties, or our national
existence.
But to return to local affairs-New
York workingmen are like their class
the world over, more turbulent and
troublesome when they can't get their
own price for work than when they can't
get work at all There are thousands
here utterly unemployed, but we hear
far less from them than from some noisy
crowd of strikers who could have steady
work if they pleased, but who prefer no
loaf at all to half a one. Just now it is
the ship-caulkers, who to the number of
three OF four hundred, are standing
round with their hands in their pockets,
sulking and threatening over the reduc-
ton of their wages to $3.50 per day-an
income which would seem nothing less
than princely to many an honest fellow
who walks the cold streets looking vainly
for an odd job to beat back the wolf
!
than foolish. In this case, at least, it
cannot be successful, and meanwhile
work is going to neighboring towns, so
that when these gentlemen are starved
into accepting market rates, some of
their number are sure to find themselves
out in the cold.
4 large meeting was held Ill theCoop-
er Union few nights since, to consid-
| er the condition Of the unemployed la
boring class, and discuss plans for i'm
pro wing the same. Mr.. Peter Cooper
presided, and numerous speeches were
made, but it became evident in the
course Of proceedings that the ostensible
| philanthrophy of the meeting was main
| " cover for advocating q greenbaek
currency with interconyertible bonds,
the adoption OF which scheme, SO the
| speakers urged, would end the trails of
the laborer and mechanic, by giving
them plenty to do at high wages. Just
what proportion of the audience were
convinced by that line of reasoning, is
not reported.
| Another of those romantic robberies
and restitutions which are occasionally
recorded, has just occurred here. About
a week ago, the messenger of a Wall
| street firm was mysteriously relieved of
! Sl2, 600 in bonds which he was taking
to the bank. The firm stopped payment
and set all the detective machinery in
to get any olew, they advertised re-
ward of 81 900 and Immediately received
an anonymous note appointing place
of meeting and designating member of
the firm to effect the transfer. He went
to the spot indicated, accompanied by
| his partners, but found no one but
boy, who merely handed him a note
stating that the broker must be alone,
and appointing another rendezvous.
Instructing his companions to follow at
distance, our friend followed the direc-
| ton given only to receive a second note
saying that nothing could be done till
| these followers were dismissed; and
naming third spot. this time on a
prominent corner of Broadway. Finding
that this gentlemanly correspondent was
not tobe imposed upon, the broker then
hurried to the appointed place, and
there under a gas-lamp in the crowded
thorough fare, with perhaps half q dozen
policemen within call, the nnhapyy man
was forced to count out the 81, 900 into
the hands of we'll dressed youth, who
then handed him the bonds and disap-
peared The whole transaction was of