STONECUTTERS' RIOT.

The contractors for the building of the New York University found that
they could purchase dressed stone at Sing Sing, the work of the prisoners
there, much cheaper than in New York, and so concluded to use it. This,
the stonecutters of the city said, was taking the bread out of their
mouths, and if allowed to go on would destroy their business. They held
excited meetings on the subject, and finally got up a procession and
paraded the streets with placards asserting their rights and denouncing
the contractors. They even attacked the houses of some of the citizens,
and assumed such a threatening attitude, that the Twenty-seventh Regiment,
Colonel Stevens, was called out. Their steady, determined march on the
rioters dispersed them and restored quiet. Apprehensions were felt,
however, that they would reassemble in the night and vent their rage on
the University building, and so a part of the regiment encamped in
Washington Square in full view of it. They remained here four days and
nights, until the excitement subsided, and the work could go on
unmolested.



CHAPTER VII.


FLOUR RIOT OF 1837.

Starvation will always create a Riot.--Foreign Population easily aroused
against the Rich.--Severe Winter of 1836.--Scarcity of Flour.--Meeting of
Citizens called without Result.--Meeting called in the Park.--Speeches.--
Sacking of Hart & Co.'s Flour Store, in Washington Street.--Strange