The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-28
NEW YORK WORKINGMEN
PREPARING TO TAKE A HAND In
MUNICIPAL POLITICS, r
A Movement Inauguarated TO Run
Henry George as n Labor
Candidate for Mayor.

NEW YoBK, August 27.-Delegates
from nearly every Trades Union IN
This oity crowded Clarendon Hall last
nioht al the conference held there by
those members OF Trades and Labor
A. ociations who propose to take an
independent stand in politics and nom
mate their own candidates for q num-
Der Of municipal offices which will be-
come vscant this fall.
Mr.. Jamee 2. Archibald acted as
Secretary and John Macmackin pres
ident.
Mr.. Archibald opened the business
by announcing that he had received
Communication from Henry George
in anewer to an inquiry he (Archi'
bald had made as TO Georges willing
ness to accept the nomination for
Mayor. MIR. Georges letter says that
il snowhere more necessary than in
New YORK to make municipal politics
mean something more than a struggle
for office. New York highways, docks
and sanitary arrangements are far in
ferior TO those Of first class European
cities. The great mass OF her people
must live in tenement houses packed
closer than people are anywhere else in
the world. Here parks, such as they are,
are beyond the reach OF most OF the
people, and hundreds OF thousands OF
her children find their only play
ground in the streets. The great BODY
OF her citizens have therefore deeper
interest in her government than the
question whether this or that set OF
politicians shall divide the spoile.
Here in America monstrouB wealth
and monstlous want make the most
shocking contrast. In America the
ballot is the only instrument Of re-
form Mr.. George goes on TO say;
"Yet before eau accept the nomina-
ton, wish TO have Il clearly shown
that the workipgmen OF New York
want me to be a candidate and will
support me with their votes. l lave
no dread oil finding myself in q mi
nority. But enough 80 called labor
movements have proved failures. 1t
seems to me that the only condition
on which 1t would be wise in labor
convention TO nominate me, or on
which should be justified in accept
ing such nomination, would
be that at least $4,000 CT liens
should, over their signatures, express
their wish that should become can
didate and pledge themselves 10 go TO
the polls and vote for me. This would
oe q guarantee that there should be no
ignominous failure and q mandate that
i could not refuse. On this condition,
therefore, | would accept the nomina-
ton il rendered. Such conditi N ]
know il an unusual one, but some
thing unusual is needed TO change the
habitual dietrust and contempt with
which workingmen's nominations
have come TO be regarded In the conf
denca that 10 necessary for such sue
cets. " may bs harder to get $4,000
signatures in advance than with the
confidence thus engendered to bring
several times that number OF votes 10
the polls, but unless there is in the
movement earnestness enough to dc
hard things II is idle TO enter upon the
work
The demand for a pledge of 10000
votes somewhat habhergasted the la
Dor politicians, bu. the main part OF
the audience cheered loudly.
John Bealm, brass worker, said the
laboring asses would bs benefited by
bringing the land question into local
politics. The laboring man was trod'
den upon by corrupt politicians, he
continued, and cited Squire and Flynn
as examples, Not only would 10000
men sign the request for Mr.. George
10 become candidate for Mayor, bdt
would put a 81 subscription behind
their names.
A number OF committees were APP
pointed to report at the next meeting
which will be held September Cd.