New-York tribune., 1901-10-27


so far as the actual sweeping Of the streets is
concerned. to Germans Italians and Irish.
There a few native born Americans but
these minor politicians for whom there have
been few offices (even a city of this size fails
occasionally TO supply an adequate number of
''pums'). and these Americans receive the bet
ter places as foremen assistant foremen. in
speCtors. and so They always have the
soft snaps" The unfortunates who are under
meath the whole pile the Italians. Yet
they have their consolation. for they are to
great extent protected" There is this much
honor among the theves-they choose as the
last persons TO be laid or those who pay in
the most money.
The padrone system is thus operated in the
Street Cleaning Department. 1t began few
wears ago when the salaries of sweepers were
raised 10 their present rate. When an applicant
desired TO land a job" in real earnest. he sought
out the boss and gave him 81. with the under
standing that this was in the nature OF a ma
circulation fee to he followed at regular inter
walls by stated sums. This was 10 go on as
long as he held the job. and II secured him a
certain amount of protection. Before the sys-
tenn was in regular working order, some OF the
Italians refused TO continue the payments, on
the ground that they had contributed quite
enough TO the revenue OF bosses high and low
sibly diminished by this strike" and the axe
foil with awful effect. Non-payers rued the day
when they dared 10 imagine that the wage for
which they worked was really their own. But
the effect was more far reaching than this
Discipline must be maintained, or the Iammahy
framework would fall 10 pieces. The bosses
nut their heads together and raised the tax
Now instead of paying So and 'weeklies' (as
the tribute is famarly dubbed) a Job cannot
be procured without the payment of from SD
Uhe lowest sum- TO $50. which includes the ap-
pcant's citizenship papers as well.
This system is in force. apparently only with
the Italians They are desperately poor. ex-
tremey ignorant. and ready to believe and obey.
1t seems to Tammany. knowing how wretchedIy
they can live and still survive a waste of money
to let them keep enough to make themselves and
their families decent and comfortable. The
true tale of what happens to Italian immigrants
is yet to be written. Tammany could supply
many interesting chapters, and ignorance and
prejudice the others.
II Is not to he supposed that the German and
Irish members of the Street Cleaning Depart
ment escape altogether without trouble. This
is far from being the case, although they are
for the most part too sophisticated 10 endure
the padrone system in all its beauty. 1t is
derstood of course. that these people shall buy
tickets for all the Tammany social events"
such balls and Chowder parties. They are
sometimes put to considerable expense in this
way. Few if any of them can attend these
social functions. and they are not expected to do
So but the customary 50 for ball or 81 for
chOwder ticket is regularly collected. These in
stitutiOns among the Tammany braves
most valued sources of income: perhaps. too.
they enjoy the numor of taking a mans last 50
bill and then insisting that he shall rejoice with
the robber. The duties of street cleaners (that
part of the routine which is hidden from the
public eye) may be divided somewhat as fol-
iS
sweepers to buy tickets for political functions,
to insure the influence of the district cap
tain, should they get into trouble He will
bring the before those still higher up. and
the discharge may in time be set aside. Any
one who has incurred the enmity of the district
chief by refusing to patronize his parties is, of
course, done for. This is the first great essen
tial. Second. all street sweepers will say that.
while 1t is not absolutely necessary, ii is highly
expedient to Tip off, the foremen and daymen.
In this way fines and complaints are avoided,
and easy districts to work in may be secured
and oVerwork in winter when snow falls may
be avoided. favorite of the foremen will be
pardoned transgression in the most barefaced
Me an two others stopped in day to have
a big one. when along comes de foreman an
de two lads wild me got collared. but me. bein' in
wild de boss. gets off free" Then, fearing that
his listener might not quite understand wherein
consisted being lin wild de boss he explained
that every time he met the foreman out of
hours he blew him off, and that payday he
slipped him half" 1T comes high" he OBJ
served but if yer don't want to be fined for
every little ting. yer gotter do it. Anyhow, it's
cheaper den fines Amt it?''
There is tale which pleases the sweepers
immensely. This tells how foreman persecut-
ed non-payer. ignorant of the fact that the
man had pull higher up. The sweeper was
transferred from his proper station to one which
required hours more work day. and then |
was pestered with complaints regarding his dis |
trict until he gained access TO the ear of the |
magnate with whom he had some Influenza and |
witnessed the demolition Of the foreman. But |
1T is only one in a great number who is not |
subjected to petty persecution of all sorts. and |
who does not find 1t to his advantage to blow |
off, those slightly his superors in authority.