Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-06-20
MECHANICS MEETING.

AT large and respectable meeting ofthe
Mechanics Of Southport, convened at the
Village Hall on Monday Evening the 18th
pensation for their labor; d. Crosit was
called to the Chair and Samuel Y. Brande
appointed Secretary, when the following
Preamble and Resolutions were adopted
Whereas in communities, states and ma
tions, constituted as ours ostensibly is,on the
broad principles of political equality and
right, it is the privilege Of any portion of
such community, state or nation to set forth
and protest against any aggrievance or in
fringment of their rights; and whereas we
are constrained in defence of ourselves and
those dependant upon us, to set forth our de-
termination to abolish, and our reason for
abOtishing the present system OF trade and
method of compensation for our labor we do
cheerfully concur in and adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions.
Resolved, That one Of the first duties
of the government is to protect the labor
and industry Of the country.
Resolred, That where thus protected
(orwhere it does not come within the sphere
of legislation to protect, it is the duty of
every citizen who values his liberty and
country to foster and encourage it by all
the means in his power.
Re&OIred, That when the Mechanic
WHO has served from four to seven years, to
! learn his occupation and in many cases has
wrought at that occupation till grey hairs
| have Overtaken him, cannot obtain the ne
cessaries Of life in return for his labor, and
that too in a country Astounding in all the
products Of the earth, it follows that indus
try is either not encouraged or'' that there
is something rotten in Denmark"
Resolved, That it is evident that want
Of employment is not the cause Of the pre-
sent distress, as all may be employed who
will work for certain kind of compensa-
ton 80 called;) but that it must be refera-
bic to the manner in which we as body
have done business.
Rraolrcd, That we believe that the
practice Of taking bills or orders on Stores
and of giving long credits is like the story
Of the tabled frogs ''sport to the traders''bu:
Death to us.
Resolved, That hereafter we will de-
mand money in payment for our labor,
that thereby we may eneabled to pay our
debts and purchase stock for our respective
callngs.
Rcso7rcd, That we have been compel
led TO adopt the foregoing resolution ia self
defence, and that we will in all cases strict
ly and concentiouslv adhere to it.
Rcsolrcd, That the objection that there
is not money enough in circulation to an
swer the purposes Of business is valid so
long,as by the present system it is retained
in the pockets of individuals ;but falls to the
ground the moment the cash system is adop-
ted. The old proverb in the case being
strictly true, that ''the nimbIe sixpence is
better than the slow shilling"
Rcsolrcd, That although we regard 1.-THE
members of other professions and the men
of other occupations with respect. SO long
as they deserve it, we can never admit by
act, Word.or deed that they in consequence
OF that profession or occupation, are made
superior to those to whom,as n class is lust
~ reterable, nearly all that tends to ad-
vance, improve and beauti(Y the face of
nature, and conduce to the happiness of
man.
RceoIrcd, That we deem if most exped-
ont TO leave to the judgment of the res
pectiye trades to fix what amount of time
such compensation shall be received for
days work.
Rcso5rcd, That we will give those mer-
chants and traders the preference in our
dealings who will second our efforts to adopt
a system that will secure to themselves as
well as ourselves, that prompt payment
which is the life and soul of Commerce
RcsoIrcd, That the proceedings of this
meeting be published in the village pa
pers.
Upon the adoption of these resolutions a
motion was made and carried to form an
association of some kind for mutual i'm
proycmcnt and for the defence of their
rights. When committee of FIVE was APP
pointed by the Chairman to draft a Consti-
tuition and BYLAWS for its government, and
were instructed to report at an adjourned
meeting to be held on Friday Evening the
I4th inst, When the meeting adjourned.
DAVID CROSIT, Chairman.
SAMUEL Y. BRANDE, Secr'y