New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-09
IS HILL THE FRIEND OF LABOR'

rs HILL THE Friend OF LABOR3
Governor Hill, all through his vanegated po-
ltical career has posed as the ardent friend OF
the worllincman. His messages to the Legs
latrre his politico agricultural addresses and
his stump speeches contain much verbal tally
designed to tickle the palates OF those VINO get
their living by manual labor On paper ana
by word of mouth, the Governor Is ire
mendous champion Of these people. But does
his deed match his creed? Does he use his
official power for the promotion OF the best
interests of the day labOrers of New ork?
A coed answer to these questions is obtained
by examining the Governors record on the blllS
PASSED at the last session of The Legislature IN
which labor was most interested One OF these
measures provided for continuing work upon
the Capitol. If the Governor had signed 1t
hundred, Of honest industrious men who are
NOW ont Of work would have been given plenty
TO do But it was vetoed by the Governor.
Why? Because Mr.. Hill desires to go before
the people in this falls campaign as an Official
who believes in carefully guarding the TAX
payers money. BY way Of bolstenng up this
false pretence he has withheld his signature
from number Of bills providing for perfectly
legitimate appropriations, one OF which Is ms
| Capitol bill. Let the wOrliingmen OF the state
stick pin there
Another of the measures Of the last Legis-
lature in which labor was vitality interested was
tho Saxton Ballot Reform act. A number oil
the leading organizations of workingmen de-
handed its passage. Under the wretched Sys-
tenn now in vogue poor man is practically de-
haired from accepting a nomination for pub
lie office. since he cannot afford to pay the
heavy assessments which the machine bosses
levy upon candidates The blow which was
s4rrcl, nj the assessment evil in the Saxton bill
vas Z blow in behalf Of the workingman who
happens to entertain an honorable ambition 70
enter the public service. Nevertheless the Gov
ernor killed the SaXton bill But some work
ingman may say, by way Of establishing the
proposition that Hill is to be depended upon
Inv the Iaboring classes 4" Didn't the Governor
sion the bill giving two dollars a day 10 all
laborers employed by the State" Well the
| Governor did, and what is the consequence
Tho Superintendent of Public Works has al
ready been compelled to discharge between 800
and 600 canal employees, the fact beng that the
annronriation made for canal improvements ~
NOT large enough to admit Of his retaining the
full force if he is compelled to pay laborer
| two dollars or nothing. These 500 or 800 dis
! charged men possibly do not look upon the
Governor as their friend and champion. More
likely they are rejecting that if be had not been
demagogue instead Of a statesman he never
would have signed such a bill. What do the
vorkingwomen Of the State think Of the Gov
ernor? Do they look upon him as the faithful
guardian Of their interests? Hardly, hardly.
The Women's National Industrial League, at
! recent meeting, paid its regards to him by
| adopting the following:
| Whereas 1t has been demonstrated TO this League
| that David b. Hlll, Governor OF the state OF New
York is an enemy Of labor and the cause OF the IN
| dustrans Of this country, and has by his vetoes
| shown his friendship for monopoHes antagonistc to
| the interests of the working classes. That this
League recalls his vtoo Of the Ballot Reform BILL the
veto Of the Female Inspector Factory bill and tho
Compulsory Education bill, which would have kept
child labor out Of factories where It completes with
! grown men and women and pulls down their wages
| therefore,
Be it resolved, That David B. Hill has by HIS
course OF action in vetoing bills passed by the Leg
atllre Of the state for the benefit Of wage earncrs
| proven himself a friend and active agent of the
| monopollcs who oppose the best interests OF the
people
1t is evident that the Governor loves the
workingman-on Election Day lie is always
anxious to secure tho workingman's support for
David B. Hill And il is equally evident that
he does not care straw for him in any other
relation. lie values his vote, but does not care
a picayne for his welfare.