The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-27

condition they recognized the result OF the
working of as yet uncomfortable forces
they understood that many a merchant
had been brought perilously near to ruin
by the same causes that have wrought
their woe.
Though Metropolitan Temple was not
filed there must have been at least 400
people present. On the platform were
seated Rev. c. o. Brown, Rev. J. Q. A.
Henry. Rev. George Montgomery. Rev. T.
Ii. Fiiben. Rev. NJ. NJ. Gibson, Rev II. II.
Wikof, Rev. Mr.. Hirst, Rev. NJ. J. Fergu-
son and the Rev. Mr.. Hardie.
T. Nj. Daniels. calling the meeting to
order. said that they were not assem- Dled
for the purpose of advancing any theories
or telling the business men what they
should do, but for the purpose of stating
that they were without work, and how
long ana persistently they had tried to get
| it. The idea prevalent among the busi-
ness men, that with the Midwinter Fair
and other enterprises any rustler could get
work, was mistake; men with good rec
ord In the community could not get il. He
paid glowing tribute to the earnest labor
Of the clergy in their behalf and asked
Rev. Mr.. Hirst to open the proceedings
with prayer.
William Hamilton stated: 81 have been
unemployed since the sixteenth day OF last
June. l have earnestly sought for work
| and been unable to find ii. | am partly a
| cripple, not capable of labor with pick
and shovel. l am willing 10 work for bed
and board
The primary cause of our gathering Is
| the invitation sent out 20 attend mass
meeting, but the real cause is enforced
idleness. The wOrkingmen here present
should be al the work bench, in the fac
| tory, at tile anvil, but their places are
silent. 1t is sOrrowful to see so much des-
titution. Men and women can go through
| the streets and see the surface suffering.
not that underneath. They must belong
10 the class of sufferers 10 see that. 1t is
not the relief of GeStitutioa we seek, but
the means whereby We may earn an hon.
est living. | believe that better times are
coming. that the Gamers and manufac-
| turers of this city will hot see us suffer,
but manage so that every one can get en-
! DiOymenL
c. II. Davies said: THE men present in
the hail do not represent oDe-tenth of the
unemployed in this city. The men regis
| tered do not represent the full number,
for many have chosen not TO register. |
have been in San Francisco seventeen
years; L have taught school studied and
practiced medicine. and tod yifind myself
little worse Of than any of you present
/ on account of sickness in my family. 1t
/ has been said that drink has brought peo-
pie to poverty. IL you had all the liquor |
have tasted you would not have three
! tablepoonsfuls. | have lacked neither
energy Hor ambition. The amount of des-
| titntion that prevails in this city is larger
| anu greater in proportion than exists any,
where in the United States. In regard
| TO the Midwinter Fair ain sure that
strangers have the preference. Adver-
/ tisements have appeared in the Eastern
papers Offering inducements for skilled
and unskilled labor 10 come to this coast
for the Midwinter Fair. | have gone from
store to store, from merchant 10 merchant,
| but though many for W hom | have worked
will give NE frs,-rate character they can
not give me work"
William Miller stated: II have been
| here three months; | came from the State
| of Montana, where The mines are shut
| down; l came to this city influenced by
! newspaper articles; / ask the citizens oil
this State not TO discriminate agans: the
newcomers; ii would not be done in Mon
| tana"
William Francis said: II have worn
| ont two pairs of shoes trying TO get work,
and have succeeded only in getting odd
/ jobs; | would work forty-eight hours
! for meal rather than ask for bread; we
don't appeal for charity, we want work
we want 20 be self-supportiug citizens OF
| California and San Francisco. We appeal
10 the sympathy and generosity Of those
who are able TO provide the means for
some work that will benefit them ana us.
aad we know there is such work In San
| Francisco. Give US this work; we will
show that we are worthy"
Samuel Nj. Rust said: II have been in
San Francisco ten years and have never
seen such hard times Business men feel
1t as the poor do. but not so much. When
the citizens of San Francisco realize our
condition / believe they Will give us EN-
ployment. Ii is their duty. ! wish 10 say
to the business men hero that the attend
ance would have been greater were it not
that the Salvation Army gives to-day a
free dinner. Hunger keeps many away !
am willing to do any honorable work. Ii
| business men will come forward and in
vestigate our Great Register feel con-
hdent they would aid us"
John Mcleod said: II have been here
seven years ana this is the hardest time j