Daily Republican., 1885-08-21
Tho war &c Labor.

nuriup the late Presidential election
campaign the Democratic party made
special al ppeal to the lseofing people for
chair support, under tho promise tDat
their interests would receive special
protscsion uuder Democratic admins
tration. The Democrats were success
fnl and Democratic administration
has been in power over I've months.
How have the pledges given 10 the
work!ngmen been respected only
short ii me since we felt called upon TO
protest against tie Secretary OF the
Treasury in awarding the contract for
a public building to firm employing
convict labor. That is the way the
preseut Demo cratic administration pro-
tects labor How doAmerican laborers
like il? Economy Was the pretezt for
n decision which compelled honest,
skilled workmen to remain idle, while
oonyicts took their places. Look on the
picture, American worEmen, and see
for yourselves whether the Democratic
administration you voted for keeps It's
pledges. ~ 3,
But this is not all. An additional
proof of the peculiar regard enter tained
for people who have to labor by the
present Treasury officials is to be found
In recent decision Of the Solicitor of
the Treasury Department. Heretofore,
about ffty poor women have been al
lowed to earn hard living by washing
the towels needed for the Treasury De-
partment. Several times attem ots
have been made to deprive them OF
their means of livelihood by laundry
Arms who offered to do the job for less,
but former Off cers Of the Treasury re-
fused to accede to propositions whose
acceptance would leave destitute, help
less females, who, even in old age and
weakness, were not willing to become
charge on the community if afforded a
chance to make enough TO keep body
and soul together But, behold, how
changed A new king rules at the
White House.
The laundry firms rscsn.ly brought
the matter before Secretary Manning
who, after consulting the Solicitor, or
dered that proposals for doing the wori
should be advertised for. OF cours
the laundry firms outbld the poo
women, and the lstters occupation wa
gone. The washing of few towels |
apparently small matter, but whe
vie wed 81 showing the disposition c
the administration to labor, 1t become
very big affair. A party that prom
is-d TO do 30 much on behalf of labor a
the Democratic party did, might hav
been expected to have at least permitte
these poor washer women ID have pu
sued their occupation in the old wa,
even though it mi ght cost tritie NOR
1t is just possible that few cents ma
be saved by this policy. but 1t is all
extremely probable that much mo
will be lost, as these poor women, beir
deprived of their only means of supper
will in many cases have to seek retu
In some institution maintained at Il
public expense. The laundry Arms,
Is certain, have not been actuated
their efforts by sole desire to bene
the government. They must have th;
percentage or proAt from the t-anss
ton, and th's can only be got by col
mailing their employees to work
starvation wages.
Seriously speaking this action OF t
Treasury officials can haruly Dc &c
sidereG AZ s:roke Of wise ststssins
ship or even Of economy, :. can OF
be regarded as aLo;h,.r proof, 10 ad
tioa to tna many already given, of
Indifference OR hostility Of The pres
department officers to the rights
labor or the interests of working peo
even though these be poor aai help
women.
No man, nor set oil men, no ma
how high their temporary position,
enhance their reputation by depri'
few indigent but hard working wo
of the wretched pitIance earned
washing to wells. ot all the alb
farces presented to the public under
name of reform or economy, this bet
the least common senss, common !
iiness and common feeling OF huma
II is a very small business, which
the Democratic party has stoope
engagein.