National Republican., 1884-10-07
THE LAW OF LABOR.
A Vigorous Discussion Of II by the District
Commissioners in Reply to the Laborers'
Committee.

Commissioners in Reply to the Laborers'
Committee.
The district commissioners yesterday replied
to the memorial ofthc committee OF working
men relative to the employment of Italians on
the public works. They say they would gladly
do anything that they might lawfully and fairly
lotto aid the committee and those IL represents
to greater prosperity, but do not find that there
has been any official neglect Of duty toward
| them, or that their rights have been violated.
The complaint Of the laborers is summarized
into one, that the price of labor is too low, and
| is kept so by the influx of foreigners. They
are reminded that the commissioners can
neither fix the price Of labor nor determine
who may come to the district.
You are aware" the letter continues, that
the American people, exclusive of the colorcd,
are composed wholly OF those and the descend
ants of those who sought this land for liberty
or to improve their condition in lite, and who
have made 1t their proud boast that here they
have founded q welcome asylum for the Op.
pressed and industrious poor of oil lands; that
many of the states, indeed, provide by law for
of those classes by representations OF
tho greater liberty, better wnges,
and cheaper lands to be found here.
To these inducements are added the constitu'
tional rights of carly citizenship and partici-
patton in framing laws for the republic, as
illustrated by nearly thirty foreign born mem
bers who represent the people in the present
congress Your objection to foreign labor is,
therefore, an objection to the constitution,
laws, and time-honorcd policy of the Amerl.
can people. Those laws not only in letter and
spirit wifi be respected not only by the com
missiOncrs, but by oil good citizens, who will
not attempt their evasion or nullihcation
either directly or indirectly"
The commissioners further romnd the com.
mittCo that one year ago common labor was
abundant at 81 % per diem, yet no complaint
was made. Now greater demand has raised
the rate TO 81 co. and the result is that labor Is
attracted here from other cities This is OBJ
jeCted to, and monopoly insisted upon.
The proposition that the commissioners
should exact rigid performance of their con-
tracts from employers of foreign labor is dis
posed ofby the statement that this Is done mall
cases. but to insert unauthorized conditions
in contracts would be to usurp legis-
lativc functions, and to discriminate
would be unlawful and tyrannous.
The present contracts were all made under
an act of congress requiring the commissioners
and to accept the lowest, and there is no
authority to exclude bidders from being for
elgn born, These contractors are free under
the law to bring workmen with them or TO en-
ploy those they may find here. So, workmen
throughout the United States, wherever born,
may freely come here and offer their services
at such rate rs they please as in any free
country, and the duty devolves upon the COM
missioners to see that the work be well done
people are protected alike. This duty the
commissioners without hesitation and to the
full extent of their power. Will perform with
out discrimination.
The memoralists are referred to congress
for suggested changes in the law.