The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-09
tanning a living for themselves and their father

tanning living for themselves and their father
less children. -
Be Il further RESOLVED, That during the many
yeats OF misrule trom which our city and State
have just emerged, the laboring man alwsys
stood In the foremost ranks Of those who were
battling against rings and tnonopolies oil ANY
kind, and therefore now that the battle is won y
| would be sad recompense for his allegiance snf
toll TO deprive him OF almost the only source
through which he can earn his daily bread.
| And be Il further resolved. That we earnestly
implore and do respectfully petition the Mayer
and Council 10 stay further action In regard Il
| said contract until euch time as we can see .
wider field Wherein 10 bestow our labor. Al
matters now stand We have no other choice thar
TO seek employment In this limited field. OF else
. arvation.
The following communication, originally pre-
pared by DIR. Tebsult for the Mayor, was adopted
ss the sense OF the meeting
| NEW ORLEANS, June g, 1877.
To the Honorable Mayor and Administrators OIL
| the city OF New Orleans
| Gentlemen presence Of the utter and gem
eral business stagnation in all portions OF our
country. not excepting IN this respect our State
snd common city, and the consequent impossi-
bility for the laboring man, now In the employ
ment OF the city government, to earn elsewhere
an honest support for himself and family 10 fact
well known to your honorable body we beseech
you In behalf Of our dependent wives and chill
dren, who look TO us as their natural and sworn
protectors for food, for clothes and for shelterr
that you defer for mtre opportune time you
proposed change In the existing management
the labor system Of our city, and not preeipitate
| upon us go complete a change during khis the
dullest and most dreaded season OF the year.
| We beg that you will postpone this osntem.
1878, and we request you at this said date to un4
| dertske this system under such just arrange
ments as will widen out the field for honorable
| competition; aud We respectfully ask to have you
consider the following suggestions from US upon
| this point:
/. That the work Of this city be so sub. divided
| into small areas, TO the end that small contrac
ors. who may be willing to perform the manual
work them selves, can become successful competi-
| tors for such work.
.. That In all eases where large contractors OBJ
| tain large contrasts, they shall be required TO
| procure the came through numerous small con-
tracts for which they we're the successful and
open bidders over all compe itors.
8. And, inasmuch az "sesled proposals can
be manipulated to subserve the dishonest and to
do iniusti,e to the honorable proposer or appli-
can't for eueh work, we request that ell city won k
be let out 30 the lowest bidder at public cutlery,
under such wise guards and limitations "a may
| be deemed advisable ON the part Of our honera-
| BILE Council.
In conclusion il IL proper for us to express our
| deep regret al the language used by some Of our
workinRmen few days since, when q committee
| from the same were waiting on your honorable
| body In connection with this same grave subject
to us. Such conduct does not reflect cur views,
and was. In our judgment, both upwise and i'm
proper.
Mr.. Hare was then called ON and came forward,
and in rather an excited manner expressed his
views. He said that the lsboring man was the
real taxpayer. not these whining landlords, who
are always talking about high taxes aud eeono.
my. He had been In this city since 1s47, and
had been always q working man, and he was
proud Of it. who supports the laborer who is q,
worthy of his hire7 Not these landlords and
property holders, but the mans own honest in
dustry. Dont the property holders add the taxes
to your rent2" He sat down amid great cheer.
ing, and after taking some steps toward forming
an organization throughout the city, the meeting
adjourned.