New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-26
CITIZENS UNION AND LABOR NEW
CONFERENCE IN COOPER UNION An
DRESSED BY DIR. RAINsFORD
AND OTHERS

Room No. o. Cooper Union. was occupied LAT
night by representative workngmen who had been
invited by the Labor Committee OF the Citizen,
Union The various leaders had been asked to tina
conference In order that the aims and objects OF
the Ctizens Union might be made known 10
them and their aid and cooperation enlisted Al.
mission was by ticket only This precaution vas
taAen by the managers OF the conference because
1t had been rumored that there was a Tammany
plot to pack and break up the meeting.
It was about $50 when Charles +. Wingate called
the meeting to order and introduced James B.
Reynolds Of tho University Settlement, as the frs,
speaker. Mr.. Reynolds said that city government
was not n matter OF business and that the people
did not want business adminstra lion" He be-
leved that perfectly honest and capable govern.
ment the desire OF the people. He drew the
frs, applause when he said that the government,
should not be a crib for spoils nor q den for
plumber. The present city government is a step
In the right direction. but must 90 further"
he said.
The next speaker the Rev DR.. Ransford
Before presenting him, the chairman made another
brief ADDRESS in the course OF which he objected to
the word reform in connection with the progress In
municipal government, and thought that the Cit
liens Union represented Improvement more than
reform
DR.. Rainsford said:
There are two ways Of governing New-York City.
The government Of the city OF New-York has moth
ing 10 GO Win any Oh the PohtiS"i PhiI'S' Inc
government of the city Of New-York must be set.
tied by the people Of NewYork without outside In.
reference" Afler speaking OF the benefit OF
separate municipal election he SAID;
There is one class OF citizens VINO cannot be eY-
cusad II they are hoodwinked or fooled again BY
either Of the political parties. That class Is the
aborng class. The laborng class pays the larger
part the taxes, carries the main burdens OF the
land and has been bamboozled by both parties and
by all parties. and Will continue 10 De fooled unt
il chooses right leaders, and, having cno2en them
sticks TO them. No class OF voters has as much ct
stake as aboring class. me WeI-to-do can
leave the city when they choose. and take ths,r
children from Its heated streets
lie criticised city government as IN many tnlngs
a system OF jobbery and plum er and said that II
shows not a defective system, but lack OF system
He uiged the acquiring Of franchises by TIE nlu-
nicipality and the enforcement OF the l.lght-hour
law and said that these points could be accom-
pshed only through tho success or the citizens
Union He said that all classes OF society were
beginning TO recognize the cause Of the laborinR
man. Even The Sun. he said. that delights
to befoul good and good measures, has come
around. and delight to welcome the ADVENT OF
Dr. Ralnsford was followed by Henry Weismann.
secretary OF the Bakers Union; George Tombiesoa.
OF the elders Union, and Harry WHITE, clotnlhs
cutter All denounced the methods OF Tammany
and said that further reforms must come through
the efforts of the workingmen.
A. NJ. Molina and Cornelius McSweeney, botn
single-taxers, were dissatisfied with the manner
in which the meeting had been condl and sad
their opinions. The chairman announced that there
would be a general debate and conference az tne
next meeting. notice OF which would be given 10