Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-04

WOrktngmen ana contractors.
Three days ago call was issued for
meeting of trades union mechanics at
the city council chamber. The stated
object of this meeting was to enter pro-
test against the employment of convict
labor in the construction Of the city hall.
A committee called upon the editor of
the BEE with q request that he attend
the meeting and give expression to his
views. This he cheerfully consented to
do. At the appointed hour he
went to the city hall and
found a brass band playing
national airs in front of the council
chamber. This brass band made an inn
preston on his mind that the meeting
was called in the interest of contractors
who wanted to make a cat's-paw Of the
workingmen. Who else could afford to
hire and pay for q brass band? This
impression was further strengthened by
the activity exhibited by certain par
ties connected with the city hall base
ment contract. Having no desire to be
a party to any scheme concocted by con-
tractors, the editor of the BEE decided
to keep out of the meeting.
The outcome has fully justified that
course. Instead OF confining them
selves to the question Of convict labor
the meeting was converted into raid
on the board of public works in general,
and its chairman in particular. Coun-
Gilman Hascall, who modestly pre-
sented himself as the champion of the
laboring classes and the chief
guardian of the taxpayer, gave
the keynote to the meeting by
urging that the workingmen make
demand on Mayor Broatch for the
head of Chairman Balcombe Of the
board of public works. This was done
with rush and hurrah. The prime
object of the meeting having been car
ried out, the question of convict
labor came in only as an incidental text
for buncombe speeches.
The BEE has no axe to grind with
workingmen or councilmen and no in
terest in Major Balcombe, beyond the
desire to see the city government hon
estly administered. With the
pretended purpose of the meet
ing we are in full accord
and sympathy. We are most emphat-
ically opposed to the employment of
convict labor on public works, and any
contract that would permit the use of
building materials quarried, dressed or
manufactured by convict labor. But
when contractors who have violated
faith with the city and tried to palm off
inferior materials and wretched work
on the city, attempt to array working
men against the board of public works
because it has stood in their way in
order to protect the city's interests, we
are not disposed to make common cause
with them. Major Balcombe was not the
man the BEE would have chosen for the
chalrmanship of the board of public
works. He lacked the essential ex-
perience and technical knowledge
which the position demands. But he
has discharged his duty to the best of
force the rights of the city with the
contractors. 1t was perfectly natural,
therefore, that such course would be
offensive to parties who want to take ad-
vantage Of the city. The demand
for his removal at this time is contrary
to public policy and not in the interest
OF good government.
The Nevins contract, which is being
made use of by the parties who want
Balcombe out OF their way, is practically
dead. 1t was rejected by the council
and cannot be resurrected except BY
twc-thirds Of that body. With Mayor
Broatch publicly pledged to approve no
contract for the city hall superstructure
which does not expressly pro-
hibit convict labor and the
material prepared by convicts,
Omsha workingmen can rest assured
that their interests will not be jeop-
ardized. 1t is to be hoped that they
have common sense enough not to allow
their labor organizations to be used as
cat's-paws to pull chestnuts out of the
fire for any contractors or political
hacks. When the labor interests are
menaced by real danger there will be
no need of hiring brass bands and
hrazen orators TO call working men to-
gether.
THERE seems to be a concerted effort
in En- plnn1 In arnusa tha ira nf the Hon