The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-25
THE ARMY OF ANXIOUS FACES.
Quiet and Orderly Procedure at the
MasS-Meeting.
FIVE THOUSAND NAMES EXPECTED.
A Petition to Be Presented to Mayor
Sutro Asking Him to Urge
Relief.

The unemployed men of San Francisco
have continued quiet and patient through
the long and severe winter that has caused
so much discomfort in California. These
men are patient still, but they think, with
good reason that their wants and the
wants of their families are worthy of the
attention and consideration of the more
fortunate members of the community.
The unemployed met yesterday at 1159
Mission street to discuss ways and means
for the amelioration of their condition.
Their orderly conduct gave rise to the sug-
gestion by M. Lafferty that there was no
need for the services of sergeant-at-arms.
The hall was crowded with about 600 men,
and large number, who could not even
get standing-room within hearing distance,
were turned away.
William Joyce, chairman, stated that the
meeting had been called in the hope that
some action might be begun which would
result in permanent relief of the hundreds
of men out of work in this city. He men,
toned the fact that there is to be some
work done at the Preside soon and sug-
gested that the matter be borne in mind
for further action of the meeting, with a
view to ascertaining if the men represented
by this meeting could obtain that work.
P. A. Dolan desired the sense of the
meeting on the subject of Mayor Sutro's
expression at election time, when he said
that it was a shame to this city that SO many
men were idle.
Mr.. Dolan was told that the work was
interrupted by legal proceedings, and that
it would be resumed as soon as possible.
This explanation led to direct action
upon the appointment of committee to
secure signatures to and present the fol-
lowing petition to Mayor Sutro:
To His Honor, Adolph Sutro, Mayor Of San
Francisco: We, the undersigned unemployed
citizens of San Francisco, in mass-meeting as
sembled, do hereby petition your Honor to APP
point suitable committee to draft bill pro-
viding for an annual appropriation for State
employment of the unemployed Such COM
mittee to proceed to Sacramento accompanied
with proper credentials and introduce and
argue the same before the Legislature now in
session at the State Capitol.
We are thoroughly and firmly convinced that
this momentous question, on which the entire
future welfare and prosperity of this city and
State largely depend, can only be properly and
permanently settled by proper and liberal
State legislation.
1t was provided in the resolution that
the city be canvassed by Assembly dis
tricts, and the committee was made up of
the following volunteers, the first named
being made chairman: George w. Sells,
D. Patrick, John Nicholson, Adam Miller,
F. M. Conway, /. w. Stevens, Joseph
Powell, J. Levinger, James Dalton, f.
Billings. Henry Boyle, E. J. Lieniz, P. A.
Dolan, G. Haggerty, G. K. Welch, F. A.
Sademon, III. Hendricks, George B. Whea-
ton, w. B. Rohrer Joseph Dennis, T. E.
Zant, E. w. Plumb, William Tivey, Fred
Cartwright, Francis Heinz, John Nash,
c. D. Abbey, w. ]. Torpey, John Emptage,
George Aitchison.
The chairman of this committee is en-
powered to appoint other members. The
committee met directly after the adjourn
ment of the main meeting and laid out its
work. 1t then adjourned to meet at 8
A. NJ. to-day.
During the voluntary signatures to this
committee some short speeches were made.
P. Ross Martin urged the men to work for
permanent relief. lou cannot, he said,
5sdemand of individual enterprise labor for
your own hands at loss to employers. |
urge you to remember that industrial en-
terprises are conducted for the purpose of
making money, and not for the doing of
charity. No class legislation, no threaten
ing the rich, no class prejudice, no asking
of charity will bring you relief; but the
truth as to your condition must be told.
You must demand relief from those who
are empowered to give it. This petition is
in the fine of presenting the truth.
George w. Sells said: 81 do not believe
any permanent good can result from APP
plication to charity institutions. You will
find work at saving wood at 10 cents an
hour, which affords temporary relief, but
cannot be depended upon. The Salvation
Army and other institutions have done as
well as they could, but this movement for
permanent State aid is the proper thing
to be DONE"
ssWe can get 5000 names to this petition"
said Chairman Joyce, ''if the committee
will work and [ know it will. "
The meeting adjourned to the same place,
1859 Mission street, at 2 P. NJ. to-day.