The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-12
COMMISSIONER PORTER'S NOMINATION.

MR.. GEORGE TIcKNoR CURTIS BEFORE THE AL
DERMANIo coMMrTTEE-sPIcY INTERRoGA-
TIoNs-THE COMMITTEE AGREE TO REroRT
AGAINST THE CONTINUATION.
! The Aldcrmanic Committee consisting OF Messrs.
Cole Lysaght and Purroy having in charge the matter
of the confirmation ofGenera Ftz John Porter as Com
missioner OF Public Works. held adjourned session
at the City Hall yesterday with large audience Of
spectators
Mr. Maoney, clerk to tho committee, read the petit
ton OF taxpayers asking DO heard in support OF the
/ confirmation.
Mr. George Tcknor Curtis then addressed tho com
mttee He understood that no opposition existed to
General Porter his fitness for the place His quail
fcatons high and his character and accomplish
ments are fully admitted The only ground Of objec-
ton, far as he heard the gentlemans decision
the question OF wages to be paid to the laborcrs.
This action stated to be unsatisfactory to
great many persons. He Orr. Curtis desired
to present his views this subject if he him
self member of the Board Of Aldermen He would
look upon the question both in the interest OF the city
hand and The interest Of the laboring classes
the other He would pay regard to its political as
pect. The democratic party were in such position
that they could the question squarey dispose OF
solely upon It's merits The speaker professed to be
a democrat He had never had any connection with
Tammany Hail. either under It's present or past regime
He would not make his appearance before the commit
tee did he not there in the interests Of the labor
ing classes; neither did he come taxpayer or TO
represent that interest Hero subject which par
ticularly interested tho aborng cassos The scale OF
wages adopted by General Porter allowed twenty cents
hour-$2 per day for ten hours work. That
mode of payment held out direct encouragement to
industry and fidelity II he had been in
General Porter's place he might not have had
he VI 10 q Spnsible
ment The promotion OF industry among the working
classes certainly desirable thing The plan ar
forded the city direct opportunity of employing tho
largest number OF aborers that could consistently be
engaged under appropriations for work. Any other
plan would have tendency, to compel the
city to accept the alternative of the contract system.
This would be throwing the workngmen into the
power Of contractors, who would pay them what they
pleased Under General Porters plan 900 men might
be benefited instead OF 500. Mr. Curtis had voiun-
teered to represent the interest OF the 1000 instead OF
the 500 proportion to the work that to be DONE
and in proportion to the means of doing 1t, great
many more men could be employed under that system
than by any other. Tho principles were apparent
Any mind could work them out by giving time TO
the subject great deal had been said against
the confirmation OF General Porter upon political
grounds. This doubt arose from the fact that the
confirmation approved or disapproved General Porters
system 1t ought to approve the general character of
the administration of this gentleman. great deal
had also been said opposition and tho from
whence il proceeded. Mr. Curtis only asked the COM
mlttce to look upon tho matter in practical, common
manner-to look over the heads OF politicians,
managers and pullers, and to consult alone the
interests OF the aborerS IL not matter Tor
consideration to who responsible for tho defeat
OF Tammany Hall in the last election. If the laborcrs
understood this question properly they would recon-
mend the confirmation. He wished that he couldhave
tho opportunity of talking with mass OF aborers on
the subIect-to down fairly and squarely to the
hardpan OF the proposition. Practically, it was
question of employing smaller or greater number
of men, and making the money which the city has to
very important question for political party To decide
at the present time
Alderman Cole-Did you vote at the last election2
NJ n,,r Il "A cir. nltraU a
ticket except where there that ticket
thought ought not TO be elected
Alderman Purroy-ln your opinion Is 81 10 per day
the market value OF labor
Mr. Curtis-I don't know sir.
Alderman PuTroy-Doht you know you could get
Iaborors now TO work for less than 81 5Oper dayS
Nj Curts-It might be so. am not prepared to
say
per day do you think II would be the duty of General
Porter TO cut down the wages OF aborers on public
works to such figure? Did you not mean that In Tho
remarks just made9
Mr. Curtis denied having meant anything OF the sort
Alderman Purroy-Is no. tho plan of General Porter,
in allowing tho aborers twenty cents hour, eva
sion OF the eight hour lawf
was by no a violation Of the law and he wanted
TO be put record as lawyer in expressing that
thoroughly In accordance with the Spirit Of The law and
| the intention Of the Legislature
Alderman Purroy-Did not General Porter testify be-
fore the Senate Committee that In reducing the labor
wages he had also reduced the number OF men en-
| poyed on the pubic worksf
III.
| fore the Senate Committee In that connection
| Alderman Purroy- Has not the Mayor recommended
! the contract system IN his hessagof
Mr. Curtis not thcre to discuss the Mayors Mes
sage
! Alderman PurToy--Do not the State and United
States pay than 81 90 per day TO the
laborers on tho public works.
Mr.. Curtis could not give any information on that
! point
Some further questions were propounded TO Mr.. Cur
it's ator which the gentleman concluded his speech by
thanking tho committee for the courtesy extended TO
him The names OF other signers to the petition
then called with tho view OF asccr.aning whether any
OF them wished to further address the committee
Mcssrs Agnew, Belmont and Webster remarked that
they agreed entirely with the views put forward by Mr.
! Curtis
! Alderman Cole-Mr. Belmont do you pay personal
| taxes in New York or Long Island9
J Mr. Belmont said he paid them In both places In
answer TO Alderman Cole, Mt. Belmont also remarked
that he had voted in Long Island for the past three
| years.
Mr. Arthur J. Delany and others present then ex-
pressed desire to e.heard IN opposition to the con-
nrmaton
Alderman Purroy said there was necessity He
offered a resolution expressing the opinion OF the COM
nnitteo that IL was unwisc TO confirm General Fits
John Porter as Commissioner Of Public Works, and
that tho committee report such action to the Board Of
Aldermen at their next regular meeting This motion
was carried by concurrent vote-Messrs Cole Pcrroy
and Lysaght In the aiarmatve-and the committee ad-