The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-17
EMPLOYMENT ron THOsa WITHOUT
HORK.
Tho City to Set Them to Work and Paw Them
in City scrip.

Tho City 10 Set Them to Work and Paw Them
in City scrip.
To THE Hon. SMITH ELY, JR, MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF NEW yoRK-Sir: Allow me to call
your attention to the imperative necessity OF
prompt and efficient action on the pirt OF the
city Government to make provision tor the sup
port OF the many thousands OF men, women
aud children IN this city who are to-day In en-
forced idleness, and thereby in suffering con-
dition from want OF food, raiment. and shelter,
which the labor Of their hands would supply IL
work was provided.
Itisa principle In civil governments to make
provision for all its people. either us laborers,
paupers. or criminals.
In an efficient and economical government,
whether city, state, or national, the question OF
the utilization Of the physical, mental, and
moral force OF Its people Is. Of all others, tho
most important and first TO be adjusted In har-
mony with the interest " each and all.
Under our competitive individual system OF
Industry we have. AS people. come to want and
poyerty the r are o 70 pro
inals; therefore IL follows that our system - at
fault, and thus the demand Is made upon every
statesman and philosopher to present for sdop-
need not quote facts and figures to your
Honor to show that our individual competitive
method OF industry has filled the country with
Diup ers, beggars, tramps, and criminals, and -
liable to result in brig indism, until there -
persoDs than from corrupt politicians and oar
tiaan dem eogues. and that we cannot neglect
with impunity the duty We owe to the whole
people to make provision for the einDluyment OF
this ever-increasina idle class In useful indus
tries. when we know That such neglect Imposes
upon the Government the necessity Of providing
for them, either as paupers or criminals anu
most likely AS both.
expense, without either moral OF material re-
turn and DEGRADING to tho recipient. TO provide
for them criminals Is still more expensive,
destructive to society and public Il. orais; while
to furnish them endowment 10 usefui inuus-
tiles. will save them from psupersm and crime
and add wealth to the aggregate. Charity Is
temporary, and will have to be gone over ana
over In constantly increasing munincen.e. be-
cause, where persons hnd themselves under toe
necessity of subsisting on charity, and are thus
Openly degr they lose faith and ambition
In themselves. and hdally come to depend upOn
this provision for = livelihood. Toe person nat
urally turns for safety aud RELIEF, 10 the thing
lief Tor the poor only increases the dem md and
aegrsvates the cond tion. while useful industry
and the production of wealth ennooies both EN-
pOyer and employed, aud brings them IN %
business relations upon terms OF individual
Independence ana equality Inc cnaiity
tector OF slave and master. Idloness provOkes
crime. The old prOverD whtcn says tnaJ =" the
devil always nnds soma mischief for Idle hands
to do, Il verified al every turn Of lie: aud once
person Is iu enforced iuleness. and living on
ch rty. he " easily persuadettot ke oy stealth
or force. whvt. II able t. obtain by honest iaoor
lie would never be tempted to Ike; and once
In the oh nnel of lewlessness. II IL very DOUBT
ful Industry, even II an opportunity Is pre-
scented. Therefore. idleness pives the way to
crime ana degrnd tiun. which the Government
must cor ect and punish III order To protect toe
good md law-hDiutng citizens.
b. h charity and The correction Of crime are
most expensive systems OF governmental poll ",
and my purpose IN dressing your Honor Is 70
set forth ano. ner system winch, II ADOPT Il, VIII
| peace morals. and wealth OF bOtn ci v and indi-
vdual. Iherefore. | respectfully suggest tuat
works OF industry be Mt once established by tue
| - faFf h.a mil ~ ma nf Al
children. mat the Idle. willing iaoorers may be
| employed IN such trades and works IA they are
ca aole OF performing, recurring ONLY fir day =
work Tor fair cDnpensatlon' based upOn tne
| price OF goods or works 80 prod uced as sold In
| q e markets OF the country.
As the objection m ~ be raised that the city
lacks tue cans to start these works Of industry
would further suaaesg tnat the CITY issue scrip,
| based upon the entire wealth OF the city. aud
made Ike bank currency, IN denomin itiOns OF
| 81 to $50, receivable for all dues, taxes, and
| licenses. Including the payment Of all salaries
and services performed for the CITY. This scrip
would De taken IN payment Tor all material and
| labor performed. and ouid 90 into circulai on
Ia tre city and sunurbs as currency, and I'm lily
lnd itself paii into the city treasury for xss,
Licenses, &C., while 1t would We performed the
function Of money In making snoes, coats, bon
nets. furniture. houses, &C., which prod acts
wo..ld sell IN both city ana country markets,
thus giving work To the Idle ana creating wealth
| for all.
Oar principal. but now tunble-down mlrkets,
| could be Replaced on this Kind OF scrip. aud
wnrn tue Rentals came IN, the scrip cOdid 90 de.
stroyed. untu III was ciucelled. Thus We would
get q paying property without pawn. interest
| lot the money with wHicn 20 build 1t.
EXAMPLES.
| See Duncan's pamphlet ON " Bank Charters.
| Also zee tho swedish colony la the state of
| Name.
Also sec the system Of immigration IN the
| Argentine public.
| Also SEQ Count Rumford's employment of
warrants in hHnich. (Sse Jared Spa,ks oioa
| ralpy Of tue Count.
| Also see the alute law Of the State of Pean
| syvauil in Il q. for tne enpl1vment ~ i'd nar
| | In. We al Zen
| serv mt, q. W. MADDOX.
| MEN YORK CITY. 20 IIr adway Jan. 8, l5.7.