The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-07
sor.SprHINa THE cIry's MONEY.

In stating. few days back. that the
resolution for doing the city's Work py
contract was offered by Alderman Allen
MO .ho,,d have stated that Mr.. Thomas
had already moved 10 have the excavat-
fnr Of the sewers put out to contract
and that ne withdrew his resolution In
order that Mr.. Allen might offe- his
which was thought to cover the ground
more completely.
In opposing Mr.. Aliens resolution, Mr.
Stratton argued that If the city's work
was done by contract il would result in
white laborers having to work along with
negroes at the price paid them-to-wit,
dollar day. which would be. he thought.
q degradation Of the white nan that no
white men should tolerate. And this is
the argument put forward. we believe.
by all who oppose letting the city's work
out to contract.
This argument assumes chat con-
tractor will pay his employees no more
than the ordinary negro day laborer re-
ceives. But whoever knows anything of
che subject at ALL knows that this is
not so. contractor, while ne undoubt-
edly gets everything done as cheaply as
possible. is nevertheless always willing
70 pay in proportion to the value Of the
service. So that IL one of his employees
can make him ten dollars day he would
have no hesitation in paying that employe
wages far above those paid TO negroes.
Work then done by contract is work done
under competition, in which the lazy re-
ceive the smallest pay and the industrious
receive the best When this is the prin-
ciple which guides. encouragement is
given men TO be sober, frugal and indus
trious. But, when the principle on which
employment is given is announced 10 be
that the days work of a man is worth
certain sum. and that all men are worth
that and no men are worth more. the
lazy and the Industrious are all con-
founded together, and the good men ere
forced down TO the level OF the worthless
We insist that no true friend OF labor
VIII tolerate any such doctrine for one
moment. The true friend OF labor advo-
Gates a plan of action that will enable
the energetic man to secure recognition
OF his energies and will free him from
shackles that bind him down TO idlers
and loafers
mr.. Aliens resolution recited as a fact
'hat The committee had been officially in
iorned by the City Engineer that a sewer
10 dig which would cost. say $1,000 when
oohe by contract, would cost 5000 whom
zone by day labor. Nevertheless Messrs
s'ra''on Brauer, Davis, Curtis and Tur-
pm voted that the work should be done
ny Gay labor. This Is, Of course for thasa
sehuemen TO make a present OF 81 OO) Of
o'her peoples money TO those who die
'na' sewer. 1t is for trustees to give
away money OF those persons for whom
'hey are trustees. Now. we would lu,o
10 know from Mr.. Stratton and those WHO
voted win him what principle will Justify
'hein III making this present OF the pnhl,c
'hohey 10 those who dig sewers that will
permit them 10 refuse a similar nresen,
W any other citizen OF Richmond who
"~ppehs 10 want some OF the public
money! What is there in the claims on
'he public OF a sewer-digger that entities
MIN TO gifts out OF the public money
superior to the claims OF the biacksmi,hs
ana carpenters, who do not work for the
c'tyf The only possible justification for
tie Eist y ths fact that the men ssd