The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-02
PAINTERS ASSOCIATION.
TO THE PUBLIC.

At this important in the history of our country,
and for the protection of our profession from the reck-
less hand of innovation, we the undersigned Master
Painters of Washington city and Georgetown, have
formed ourselves into association to protect the
Public from the imposition Of bad workmen, and Sc
cure to ourselves and families the means of support,
by adheTng to system that is founded upon the
broad basis of right and which secures 10 the public
the services of good and faithful workmen, whose
work must stand the of inspection and measure
ment and which must result to the mutual satisfaction
of the employer and the employed. For the last
eighteen years business has, less, labored
under very peculiar and disadvantageous crcumstan
From the year 1909 to that of 1923, our profess
sion, well other trades appertaining to building
each separate and distinct, and each trade
governed by q regular system Of prices, which were
paid according to measurement. The carpenters and
plasterers paid for their work. in many instances
even to this day. by measurement and the bricklayer
generally il not entirely, performs his part by lay
ing brick at an established price per thousand whilst
the painters have not been permitted the mode
that they We're formerly governed by-measurement
We will venture further to assert that at least two
thirds Of the work done by contract and by persons
acquainted with estimating is at higher prices than
by measurement, and for the fact, instances could be
produced. Whereas those who -linaiiAa in THAR
knowledge Of figures labor under many disadvantages
and many jobs prove detrimental to themselves and to
the employer and indeed, in some instances it occurs
with the most accurate caculators especially in new
and large buildings where it is impossible for paint
any other person. to get at the quantity Of wood
work that such houses contain and in every instance
taken from a rough plan: besides, many alterations
often occur, which from the same, ends in dispute
where both parties contend for their rights in the
tract. This, the mode of measurement has the hap
py effect of counteracting painter receives his
just dues. and the employer pays for more than
what is measured. II is for the purpose that wish
to put profession equal footing with the 9TH
branches Of builders that have united ourselves
into association, which ought to receive the sane
ton of liberal community, and every man of pro-
fesson trade whose maxim is to live and let live
| With the skill of the painter, the most Indifferent
! carpenters work may be made to look wei and a,
the same time the best carpenters work may be made
to appear Indifferent by bad painterj hepce 1t will
appear manifest that our object is to do ustibe to the
Public, and, at the same time, fair remunera-
ton for our labor. Considering the unhealthness oil
our business from the deleerious effects of lead and
other articles which often produce disease and death
: and the loss of the winter, which, upon fair calcu.
lation is onethird Of our time; to remedy these de-
fects, propose to make our business separate and
distinct. We have selected two thorough and compe
tent workmen Of our own craft as measurers and in
spectoIs, who duly sworn, and who shall allow
price according to the manner in which the work
! shall be DONE ."*.. .... ~Eatj AAia .@
1t may be asked of US, who changed the system of
our busness2 This may be answered by referring to
the years of 1925 and $780, when set Of men came
amongst us, and commenced mode Of building by
contract that is by erecting buildings for stipulated
It resulted ruinousy to themselves, and inflicted o
great injury upon Of our most important mocha
MICS of old standing, and utterly destroyed our good
old system of building which left each branch Of bust
ness to it's own Independent action, and which we
again wish to establish upon permanent basis, ex-
tending the right hand Of fellowship to those who
wish once more to it fourishng in the hands oil
those to whom it properly belongs. The society, in
order to obtain the public support (ch earnestly
socif has come to the full conclusion TO put down
, al he'll as
to suit the present exgencies of the times, and bring
them within the system of measurement only. We
also intend to employ none but the best ourneymen
who are known to be men of good department, which
is necessary for community that is governed by a
proper code Of morals We deem il here necessary
state that all belonging to association have affixed
their names to this address, comprising nearly the
whole number of master painters one or two only re-
fusng, probably from some selfish motive, want OF
competency--the latter most probably fearing the
system Of inspection may operate rather severely,
which we intend safeguard to the Public. We
hope therefore, that the different shops Of our asso
citation will be taken into consideration and fair and
impartial trial given, which we feel assured will result
Ia the public good. For the public convenience, we
have printed rules regulation prices, &c. in pam
phet form, and each member will constantly carry
to submit to the inspection of those who may wish
TO examine for themselves.
THOS. STANLEY, President.
/ .. w. D.. WINSHIP, Vice President. r
| JHo. P. sTALLINGS, Rec'g Secretary.
" G. p. SENGSTACK, Cory Secretary .E
/ ~ JNO. PURDY, Treasurer. E{s 10 40
Y. X. OFFUTT, Measurer w. C. ...
z. M. oEFUTT, Measurer, Georgetown.
! Gro. Harry, JAS NoKEs,
| WIN. T.. PORTER JAS. MURRAY, ~.
Jso. T. CAssELL, M. T. PARKER, "f
| GEO. w. TAYLOR, THos. PAYNE, ..s
Tn Tao; 4 T Z, P p,,sn w. j. PalS'tE' un.