Year: 1873

Labor Mectings-A Demand by the


Masses for Work-Thc Duty OF Local,


state and General Governments.


As the cold season advances the ranks OF the un-
employed who throng our thoroughfares are
swollen by daily additions from those whose idle
ness is compulsory Many crafts which usually at
TINS time OF the year employ large aboring forces
are Drought TO stand by the monetary disturb
ance and their employees are left to face the win
ter upon the too small accumulations or the sum-
mer's industry and thrift. Last night the stone
cutters in their meeting at Demnt Han,
and the carpenters at Masonic Hail. both
reported work as extremely dull In
all the gatherings OF the industrial
classes after the discussion OF trade news, there
sure to come up the demand that the city should
furnish employment Tor those who want it. Con-
tracts now operative In the Department OF Public
Works would give labor to 1000 men, but the con.
tractors cannot proceed for want OF proper sup
plies OF money from the Comptroller. Hundreds
OF men who have been till lately engaged on city
works were gathered yesterday In and about the
New Court House, watching and waiting Tor some
change in the situation which should set them
again at work. Their distress should admonsh
the Comptroller that his most earnest endeavors
should be used TO open the municipal treasury for
objects at once legitimate and humane.


Tonight a labor mass meeting VIII be held under
the direction OF the Workingmen's Central Council,
IN Tammany Hall. Seven thousand persons can
Dt ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. anu tHe COuIHlJltc Vi dtIduge-
ments express the expectation that the great hall
will be filed Speeches Will be made by Messrs.
Leander Thompson James B. Hodgskin, A. s.
Hewitt James Connolly. Jonn McMackin, Robert
Grove, John A. Nolan and Others 1t ia under
stood :, that the principal theme win
be the obligation OF government to
provide employment for citizens, and
to guard them thus rom pauperism and crime.
Memorials urging these views have been prepared
by the Council Tor submission to the city, state and
general governments, and have received many
signatures from the working people, the class
most directly and vtally Interested in the subject
as well as those whose preponderance OF numbers
gives them the power, II united, to make them
selves felt through the ballot boxes. Such men
want no soup houses or free lodgings All
they require IS what they claim as a
right, the opportunity to earn their own
support. II 1t be not absolutely conceded that
government is under obligation at all times to
furnish employment to all who are willing TO work,
still there can be no doubt that where there Is
abundance OF work TO be done, the execution
whereof will greatly benefit the public and en-
hance the value OF property, and at the same time
keep thousands from suffering, IL Is wise and pru-
dent as well as humane TO order the work to go
on. II this view be not admitted and acted upon
soon by our city authorities it is likely the starv-
ing masses win be tempted to arguments
weightier than words. Every day OF delay aggra-
Yates the situation of the men who are willing to
work and whose families lack food and warmth.