New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-28
apIFA FOR STARVING woRKINGMEN.


ROBERT b. ROOSEVELT SUGGESTS THlr THE CITY
PROVIDE WORK.
Robert b. Roosevelt has written an open let
fer 10 Mayor Ely in behalf OF the unemployed working
men, He thinks the public does not fully appreciate th5
unhappy condition OF many Of the laborers in TINS city
Those for whom ne pleads ask work. not ams ana SO
cannot reached through the ordinary channels oil pr
vae bencence. lie asks, therefore, II work cannot Do
furnished probably and wisely, by the city tae csS n
peculiar and may Justify unusual remeu'es' ne
writes Tie refers TO the recent railroad strike ana
asks If there is any good reason TO expect greater Wis
dom from aboring man than the great thinkers
who have failed TO solve the labor question lie con
oudes follows:
know the city ia not in condition to add much to It's
but Il is still wealthy and credit sound There are
public works which needed and which can pe ch9hl
iv built at present We have systeln by islke yt"
"Charities and Correcton"-it should be named
fulness and Encouraeemen OF Vice by wnGn an tro
tramps idlers, vagaboDds and criminals ot lhe ehie
country invited 10 take up Their abode WIN us us
the Winter Even the money thrown away in tn
ase 70 aup poiulation Which Il brings in its
ordinary use will be anything but beneficial addl,
snorDv Tor the needs Of lie III ia said contractors
hire day iahorers in this city for seyentyfye cents
day. | would ask those VINO preach pAienee NNehbeIf
paenee 10 n large family and I would suggest that we
shOd not handy words nor wait tl trouble u upo 70
before we take some stems 70 effect ehanse me- l ,
but LET try some plan and convince the poor tnat
we have the blood of civilized men IN Our Velhs
and that do rot value our money dearef tlan
their lives. There is also danger that my plan
may be used as a political machine bat the community
has known Long, both in public and private capacy;
il has confidence you, and bears still fresh 'n s
memory that you can rise above parbzan sentiment IN
what you consider matter OF principle or h0nol' 10
YOU would onTust the preparation aud execution OI
scheme with entire confidence. either To complete our
docks or pave Streets Guish general improve
ments and at least all the charitable, Christian and
generous OF our taxpayers viii stand by YOU TO
the others I would utter few words OF
warning riot costs more money 10 suppress
than il does to prevent. we learned during
fine DAYS of the Draft and Pittsburgh Is learning now.
Our police and citizen sodiery admirably prepared
and can suppress any outbreak but the mere outbreak
would be expensive thing. IL docs moi 30 ioputer
drift and we have emergency upon Us Wlch must
he met We tried shutting when the draft was threaten
ed and only hastcucl to correct mistake after three
DAYS OF anarchy and three nights OF horror Nor Is 1t
a graceful thing to do from terror what would nave
come very handsomely from favor. We taen lssnod
bounty bonds, secured substitutes and insisted ON
revision ~ the enrolment st aftcrte mob had enforced
their demands with the torch and tho knife. Let us
be beforehand with them this time. Honest men nav
not he rioters. bat honest men become wonderfully
Indifferent 20 the safety OF te worldly possessions OF
their neighOOrs when they themselves are starving.