The New York herald., 1876-12-17
THE STARVING POOR.


WANT OF HARMONY AMONG THE WORKING
MEMS RELIEF coMMIrTREs--THE PRESSING
NEED OF FUNDS.
There will all probability be a clash between the
two wings OF the workingmen in this city in connsc-
ton with the destitutlon which prevails Already II
Is alleged, the party which savors somewhat OF tho
''radca' has taken some steps by way OF relief for
The idle men, while others Of the well known leaders
hold back from any participation in this movement
will not make any effort toward pubic petition
in behalf OF the distressed Whether not in
matter OF such great moment both parties will sink
old differences and unite now In organized cndcavor
to combat the present emergency it is difficult
to say Whatever action may be taken
should be open and above board, SO that
no consequent denominations may arise, ana
the leading object to be attained this terrible
frustrated by jeaiouscs or chcancry. II is well
known fact that after every concerted action by the
workmgmcn in iurthcrance OF what is known as the
labor interests quarres remain TO be settled and not
infrcqucntly old chickering's and jealouscs spring
up to mar the prospects OF numbers OF men.
A SMALL FOR GETTING FUNDS
An announcement is made by men who
profess 10 be identified with the workngmcns organi-
cations that mass meetings are to be held and other
steps taken for the relief of the unemployed The
cooperate in this movement ana committees Of
sponsibic men are to be chosen TO act as CON-
mit,ces in tho districts throughout tho city.
A central committee seems also 10 DO in
existence and this body at meeting resolved
to issue os0 donation cards" and address Each
card contain 100 squares and each square will rep
resent Ave cents the contributor TO punch tho card
with pin. Now this plan may havc its mcrlts well
It's obvious faults but surely it is not the proper way
TO deal with the large army of $4,000 unemployed
workngmen. 1t would be an excellent way 10
from these So 900 men, II they were all at work, in
stead being penniess their mites for the struggling
poor OF largo CITY, But in an emergency like
the present il appears to be ridiculous What
ever help tho plum might afford would be in
significant compared with what VIII be needed
wher the season becomes more advanced and
the houseleEs and hungry grow still larger in numbers
IRON day TO day. The suggestion as 10 the appoint
ment committees in the several districts to
the wants oil the struggling is excellent the latter
mot being exactly what HERALD reporters have
been engaged in dong for several days past But this
proposed movement IS confined merely 10 section OF
those who claim 10 be representative workingmeD
uNIONsTS METHOD.
The writer convcrscd with some OF tho men who for
years past have taken prominent part in the man
agcment Of trade organizations, and none of them
knew anything about the proposed method Of raising
funds and had not been consulted. They did, how
ever express Willingness 10 operatc with any class
OF citizens who might initiate novemcntby which the
condition OF the working classes should nc madc
known TO The public generally, with view 10 having
relief Afforded IN the proper way and To the proper
persons They DID not place much faith IN The state
ment that the city government would take steps
toward commencing public work for the benefit OF the
iae men, did they believe there was an adequate
response the OF distress IN tho caring Tor such
particular Of poverty and hciplcssEess Us might
have public attention especially attracted TO them. In
their OPINION the want was general afction Affect
ing many thousands Of families that the plan OF
liei put operation should be scale CO nmen-y
with the extent OF the suffering They trusted
10 i large generosity IRON the wealthy men Of New
York, and affirmed that unless the rich helped the
poor III tho existing crisis there was TO De no
donor at all, and Inc thousands OF unfortunate
people with the shrout OF dire poverty now winding
round them, might die ior want oi sncicr and bread
They iet assured that the starvation would not be al
lowed become epidemic, and that the delay far
the tact that the welIto do themselves
have been unsettled in their prospects and tmorous
10 what may be coming as consequence from the po-
litical problem IN agitation
CASES THAT EXCITED SYMPATHY
At the police yesterday the homeless and hun
cry continued to make application Tor shelter and iood
on the Island During the past week about 200 work
ingmen sent TO the alinshouse ircm the Tombs.
The magistrates have grown so accustomed 10 the Pc
titions OF these poor fellows that they promptly give
the required committal and the transferred
speedily possible 10 the Island At the Tombs yes
terday some eight or ten were transferred carly
in The afternoon to their new home. lew Of
that Of iather and son, Luke and James
Coyle who had been residing at the corner OF Ftieth
street and Sixth avenue Luke, the father, thirty
eight years OF age; James, beng sixteen, fine,
honcst-iaced, healthy boy. Luke Coyc was Tor long
time employed by the broadway Railroad Company
a helper in watering the horses but about weeks
ago he was dismissed, and tho little money he had
saved has been all spent during the idcness. Luke
has daughter younger than the boy, and when the
worst was fortunate in getting her home in
some respectable family He also endeavorcd TO per-
suade tho boy remain in tho city, and
trust to some friends 10 be helped until
he could get chance to his
bread But the boy grievcd much At the distress
which his father had been reduced and was so much
attached 10 him that he begged to be allowed 10 go
wherever his fathcr went Father and son presented
themselves before Judge Duly ut the Tombs ycster-
day morning and told their story OF destitution.
Judge Duffy committed both OF them, but limited tho
term for a month The landlord oil the house in
which tho Coyles lived offered to let them have the
should get work, but this was declined as neither
lahcr children could longer continue 10 exist in
the condition which they placed tor the past
days. This the irst instance this season OF
father and gong to the amshousc for shelter.
Another case that excited sympathy was that Of
Michael Haney, who resided in East Eleventh street.
This man is thirty-two years OF age native OF the
United States and by occupation tugboat foreman.
Haney stated that he had been out OF work six weeks
thing, but every met with refusal lle
had suffered severely from want, and saw nothing be-
fore him but the ulmshouse When he was taken down
TO the he shed bitter tears and seemed 10 feel
most kccnly the state to which he had come.
Another case that oil James Smith, sailor,
whose funds had all gwen out and who was reduced
to the lowest extremity. Every effort 10 get ship
had Jailed the last application to Commissioner Dun
can having taken away all hope. This man was re-
duced very low condition, but, from his own story,
he made gallant light against the almshousc
THE DESTITUTE' POLES.