The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-31
SATURDAY, JANUARY 81, 1891.
rar cry HALL LABoRERs.

TIE principle involved in the action OF The
Committee on Grounds and Buildings ID
making political conviction a test OF con
timed service in the employment Of inc
municipality in connection Win ihe new
CITY Hall is wrong in itself, mos. unjust IN
ia practical operation, and productive only
Of results which deserve the very strongest
condemnation.
TIE position taken by the laborers who
holon0 IN the stone-cutter's union should
vocetve the hearty approval Of all our citi-
zens irrespective Of parties. 1t is unques-
tjonsbly right and sound. In no light
whatever. can any justification be adj
yanced for excluding operatives now en-
gagged on our greatest public improve
menf. from the opportunity Of earning their
livelihood in the erection oftbis building, on
the score OF political sentiment To intro
duce such a test into such matter. Is not
only small and unworthy in itself when
regarded as motive Of action, aud, there
fore, well calculated TO reflect the grayest
dscredit upon the general character OF cur
whole community, but IL is also opposed 20
the best interests Of the people at large who
are only concerned IN the work being well
and faithfully done.
The men who would decline to sink their
political principles in order 10 retain the
lob IL which they are employed are the very
men who are most likely to be capable and
conscientious in their work. In such case
a, this there should be but one test-indus-
Try and skill-and this test should be ap-
piled without regard 10 political leanines
II is like poisoning the very fountains Of
the life Of our city to put so noxious prin-
cipie into practical operation. If there are
any classes in this community which
should stand upon the basis Of merit alone
in their endeayor 10 earn livelihood, 1t is
the classes which are directly dependent
upon manual labor for the bread which they
eat. To limit their opportunities for getting
a subsistence on any score but the
score of character, is form Of
tyranny which should not be tolerated
by the sentiment of our people. To
conniye at il BY simply not Directing 10 1t,
is as much opposed TO good sense and sound
principle asif It were openly endorsed.
That the humblest laborers engaged on our
new City Hall should be compelled to sub
nit certificates of party allegiance before
they are allowed to continue in their en-
ployinent, is apart from It's unfairness well
adapted to bring the city into ridicule III
the eyes Of the utside world.
No right-thinking man can question the
devotion Of The TIMES to the Democracy
In ccndemning the action Of the Committee
on Grounds and Buildings, we condemn If
not only because II is essentially unjust
but also because 1t is contrary TO true
Democratic principles, rs being very dan
gerous as well as most absurd form of the
sentiment that 10 the yictors belong the
spoils.
The Democratic party glories In being the
defender of the liberty Of the individual
and the promoter Of the welfare OF the peo-
pie. in the action of the committee on
Grounds and Buildings both are grossly in
fringed upon, the liberty OF the individual
by his political sentiments being inquired
into when only his skill as laborer should
be In question, and The welfare Of the peo'
pie by great public improvement which
should be erected on the most conservative
and business-like principle. b ing made a
political job OF the most unmiigdted char
acter