New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-05
LABOR COMPLAINTS.

SUBMITTING THEORIES AND REMEDIES.
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE LISTENS TO sRV-
FRAL PEOPLE WHO OFFER SUGGESTIONS on THE
DEPRESSION OF BUSINESS AND LABOR
The chairman Mr.. Hewitt, of the Congress
sonaI Labor, not present during the
Saturday session. but into the room few minutes
after the adjournment Tie committee listened TO a
variety of opinions the Of and remedies for
the present prOstraton Of business and labor
VA A. Carsey was the first witness. As the seere-
tary Of the Greenback party he said he represented the
working classes. He was brieklayer by trade, and
sometimes an editor Mr. Carsey attributed the Distress
which he SAID existed the working classes TO spe
ca class legislation and to the present systems OF eduea
ton BY the first cause railroads. manufactures and
machinery we're concentrated in the hands Of few
men, whose influence and power were increasing con-
stantly BY the second young taught to
think manual labor beneath them. To remedy these
evils Mr. Carsey thought for the Govern
ment by a homestead act 10 throw open to settlement
all the public lands to assist in their settlements TO
furnish employment for idle labOrers by system Of
public improvements, which only American citizens
should be employed and to establish industrial aud
technical schools.
Mr. Carsey denounced contract system Of letting
out public work. resulting only in the cheating OF the
Government. He recommended that the importation Of
foreign manufactured goods OF which the country
exports the raw material, should be prohibited He adj
vocated a strong central government, which he said
the worngmen desired and the raising of reyenuesby
direct taxation. Initiation o: the currency was the
supreme remedy for the counrys ills, In his Judgment
although he admitted IL might be followed by panic in
few years But working people were not willing to
starve now IN order to prevent panic hereafter Mr..
Carsey warned the committee that unless some I'M
mediate action was taken TO provide laborers with
work aud food they would take up arms and overthrow
! the Government.
J. Osborne Ward said that he represented, as he had
originated the socalistic Labor party OF Brooklyn He
| deprecated the Initiation theories Of the preceding
| speaker but said that he agreed with him
| in regard TO the necessity OF large internal i'm
! provements, to be conducted by the Governments
He sad that the condition Of the laborng classes had
not been improved materially within the last nifty years
The cause Of the present depression and distress he
found in the excess Of cOmpetitonn labor and business
and the natural and sole remedy he found in coopera-
ton after the fashion OF the Shakers and Of the Oneida
| Community. He advocated establishment Of one
| vast cooperative society, OF which the Government
sbould form the nucleus II should comprehend all he
people OF the country, and In II everything should be
equal and common No restrictions should be placed
upon the qualification of personal tastes and desires but
every one should every pleased at the expense
Of the cooperative society. Tie religion should be
Communisc Christianity. of which the churches should
pay all the taxes required TO carry on re cooperative
| money, issued by the society whenever II might be
needed
george W. MADDOX said that he represented the Con-
gres of Humanity and read long communication, advo
eating infinite imitation in public works aud the colonial
f,on of all public lands. The money that the Govern
eut could print belonged TO the sovereign people OF the
country. who suffering because u was not issued
The Deope were the sOveregBs Of this land, bigger than
their servants the members OF Congress and should De
no longer the seayengers capitalists had made them DIR
MADDOX wished the Constitution 50 changed that Con.
gress should cOdfy not enact, the laws, which should
! be adopted only by the people
! Mr. MADDOX was followed by Mrs 8. Myra Hall. who
said that she represented the Congress OF Humanity
Che Congress- OF the Woodland also 20OOOOO0 OF slaves
not yet permitted exercise the elective franchise No
solution Of economic problems could be reached IN Mrs.
Halls opinion until the ballot should be conferred upon
The next speaker was j. j. oDonnel, IrishInan,
who said that he represented only his sovereign self
He wanted no imitation nor COnmunlsm he did not be-
eye in financial heresies, and denounced the
schemes offered Friday by DIR. DOuai whom lac
aid that ne was naohinst, and wanted a
change IN the present patent laws Py Thlch the
yeutOrs should receive royalty liked by law, IRON any
who chose TO Manufacture out tha they SHOULD not
monopoly. He referred to the Singer sewing machine
patents said that they had taken Sl5OOOO0O out or
the pockets of the wOrkngmeD OF Europe ana America
All patents should be bought by the Government for the
use benefit of the people The Introduction Oh ma
chinery had not Injured the WORKING classes Dui Iher
present distress due TO InonOpOes sustained by the
tranmeled liberty to labor and free tariff would make
America the happiest country on the globe MT oDon-
but the restriction Of hours Of labor He dc
manded the right work many hours as he chose.
whenever and wherever hc could get work He desired
no eighthOur law, bat only the opportunity 10 work
MrBrunera tailor said there would be 40 real Improve
neut until the people should be allowed 10 make their
| own laws He would abolish Congress and the Execu-
tive and all laws the people, who would not do
any worse than Congress had done.
Patrick Logan spoke IN favor Of the Government sup
pIying with money all wOrKmen who desire To West.
Tie evils rom winch workiugInen were suffering were
due 10 selling OF the NatOpa securities TO European
syocks The bonds should be held IN this country aud
The interest on them would remain here He favored
the reduction OF all salaries, from that OF the President
Gown.
Robert W. Hume, president OF the Labor League and
the Congress OF Humanity denounced the taking Of in
terest Us crime, IN OgnlOn he said he was sup
ported by Moses, Aristotle MOhammed and Christ The
collection OF interest loans ought not TO be enforced
by law bills OF credit by legislation The French Ma
Ouiished under large debt simply because II was
ned by French people thereby keeping up constant
circulation the blood in ones body In this country
the people oppressed because the interest their
bonds was sent 10 Europe. He did not think the Gov
eminent had the constitutional right to issue paper
money but favored amendment to give II the right "a
an unlimited extent. He spoke IN favor Of female sui
a and against the employment OF women at low rates
Of wages He favored tile restriction on hours OF labor
and thought four hours day much person ought
20 work without negeciiDg the cultivation Of his mind.
|