The New York herald., 1878-08-08
The Labor Committee.


tion was certainly wise, though one might
we'll ask why SO important an inquiry was
delayed until the moment when general
revival of prosperity is at hand. The
committee did we'll to begin their In
vestigation here in New York, and TO
summon first representatives OF the
labor organizations. 1t gave these
patient and protracted hearing, ana we
have been reading over with some care the
testimony given to see what remedies were
proposed by the men who came forward as
witnesses and to what causes they ascripeo
the condition of affairs of which they COM
plain.
We confess to keen sense OF disappoint-
ment at the slight value of the testimony.
There is clearly deep dissatisfaction with
the present condition of the labor market
in this city All the witnesses testified
that they earned less money than they de-
sired: some Of them complained OF want,
and many of them freely communi-
Gated their ideas of the nature OF
remedial measures. But none OF the
numerous witnesses gave the committee
any statistics of the actual number OF un-
employed persons; one only brought for
ward a statement of the wages received IN
his trade at different times since 1861; and,
on the whole, the most interesting state
ment made was by Mr.. Carsey. who asserts
that only seven per cent Of the laboring
population of this city are Americans.
Mr. Rock, on behalf of the stonecutters,
complained that stone for public buildings
is dressed ut the quarries. His society
thought that work should be done here.
even though it should cost more. Mr.. Nc
Gregor thought machinery injurious and
said government should come to the res
cue. What is the good Of a government If the
people under it are allowed to perish while
the Treasury is full OF money! Mr.. Bar
tholomee, for the social labor party. wanted
government Investigation and superin-
tendence for everything, with cooper
alive societies under government SUPER
vision. Mr.. Isaac Bennett desired the abo-
lition of capital and machinery by the
government. Mr.. Connolly, for the green
back-labor party, complained OF the high
price of money, and thought the attempt to
resume specie payments and the collection
of interest on the national debt were the
causes Of the depression. Mr.. Carsey, for
several trade unions, wished the govern
ment to put people on the public lands and
lend them tools and seed. He urged also
general system Of public improvements,
and thought Congress ought to prohibit the
expectation OF raw materials, SO as as to let
our own people work them up into
manufactured articles. He added that
though the Post Office was built
for ten millions he thought it cost
the government nothing, because il
just printed lot of money and paid the
bills. Mr.. Osborne, tor the Brooklyn social
labor people, was opposed to greenbacks;
but Mr.. Maddox thought the government
ought to coonize one hundred thousand
people on land and spend one thou
sand millions on public improve
ments. Mr.. Robb,' of the plumbers soci-
ETY., thought nobody ought to hold land
by title giving ownership, and that
everybody ought to ride free on
the railroads. Mr.. Graham, secretary
of the Workingmen's Union, thought gov
ernment employed too many people already,
but wished foreign shipping taxed by way
of reviving commerce. Mr.. Sheppard. of
the Land Reform Association, desired
the abolition Of paper money and
the redemption Of the bonds by
taxation, and several others agreed with
him. Mr. Vantuyl for the plasterers,
wanted the government to declare Wednes-
days and Saturdays holidays. MIR. Mcneil
believed Congress should declare eight
hours days work, in which almost all the
witnesses agreed, and wished oil patents
declared void tor machinery on which
men labored more than eight hours
day. Mr.. Peck, a Connecticut man,
thought the government ought to
lend every voter five thousand dol
lars without interest and take q mortgage
on his house. Mr.. Solleck thought an
issue of eight dollars per head in green
backs would be best, and desired to abolish
the President and Congress and have every
body work six hours q day. Finally, Mr..
Hanson wanted liberal issue of paper
money, to be given to the people as they
need it, by agents to be elected. and who
should DO hanged if they were unfaithful.
He said nothing about an appropriation for
rope.
With one exception, which we shall
presently notice, the above is q fair sum-
mary OF the testimony given before the
committee. II is amazing to see that
almost all the witnesses, however they may
differ as to the precise nature Of remedies
tor the evils they complain of, regard the
government as something quite separate
from the people of the country; as q
kind of earthly providence, miracle
working machine, which can if it
will make everybody happy and
nrnsnnrnns They want Coyernment