The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-04
cry INTELLIGENCE.
MEETING or THE MECHANICS AND WORK
JNGWEN OF BALTIMORE

MEETING or THE MECHANICS AND WORK
INGUEN OF BALTIMORE
A meeting in pursuance to a call in the public
papers, of the mechanics and workiugmen of Bal
timore, was he'd last night in room of the build
ing called China Hall, on West Baltimore street.
There was quite crowd in the room, which was
about seventy by thirty feet, and the majority of
those present appeared to be really workingmen
and mechanics.
At 10 o'clock Mr.. John A. Mcdonald formerly |
police othcer) moved that the meeting organize !
and nominated as Chairman, John II. Baumbarger |
and as Secretary James NJ. Stevens, which nom-
nations were accepted.
The President, upon taking the stand, said the |
object OF the meeting to consider the great |
problem which now disturbed the country and the |
best mode OF protecting the interests and prosperi
ty of the working men. The present difficulties
had been brought about by a certain Clique of poll
cians, in whose lead the mech anics of the country
had been following, and it was now time for the
working men to speak out, and express their opn-
ions about the difficulties which surrounded them.
tie hoped the meeting would pay attention very
strict attention, to the subjects which would be
brought to their consideration.
Mr.. Mcdonald then moved that a committee of
five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions
expressing the sentiments of the meeting. He did
not desire to have the committee report tonight
because 1t was matter requiring the greatest de-
liberation; and he thought that, if appointed they
should have time to report to some future meeting.
Mr.. Columbus W. Windsor, Deputy Sheriff.
wanted the committee to report at once, tonight;
he didn't care if it took twenty minutes, or twenty
four hours; but he wanted a report to this meetpo
He hoped he was in order
The President understood Mr. Windsor as not
being In favor OF any procrastnation in the matter
MIR. Windsor desired to have the Commute re-
port at once
The following Committee was then appointed nv
the Chair-the meeting by the applause after Mr.
Wind sor's remarks, decidedly coinciding in his
Batus kennard, S. Thompson, George w. Rain.
When the Secretary read the above names. Mr..
Windsor respectfully declined serving as also did
Mr. Balm, that gentleman observing that he had
real call for meeting of the mechanics of Balti-
more, looking to the lettering of their condition,
which be intended to publish in few DAYS
These gentlemen were therefore excused, and
Messrs John A. Mcdonald and James Maddox sub
stituted in their stead upon the Committee who
only in part retired to deliberate
There were then calls for Kennard and that gem
tleman came forward and said, that he was not one
OF them who called the meeting, did he know
the object OF the meeting until tonight. He was
asked to co operate, and being a workingmap,
could not refuse. II in the history of things there
was time when there was crisis in the country,
1t was now. Any man, who at this time would be
found taking advantage of the peculiar state of ef.
fairs in the country, for the enhancement of his
ends, should be frowned down. The time had
come when demagogueism was at an end-when
the condition of affairs must be looked straight in
the face by the workingmen of the country
For the last twenty years the mechanics had
been uncer the control of demagogues, but they
had now come together to deliberate fairly and
honestly in regard to the exigency of the times
They must not now look to the great men of the
country, who have never considered properly the
wants and claims of the workingmen, but every
man must look to himself in this great emergency
The working men, who are in the majority, now
lind they have no employment and no means by
which to support their families. What is to be
done? and what is the cause ofall this distress?
The speaker said he would not pretend to offer
Hu OF Al
the cause of all the hardships, was, that the Union
threatened to be destroyed and that all conf
dence in its perpetuty was lost which cause oper-
ated against the great mechanical interest of the
. country. The mechanics of the country could
never be in a worse condition, than at the time of
the disruption of the Union, and it behooved
them as majority in the community the sover-
egn people to rise up in mass to sustain the Union
and show the people that they are in favor of the
Union, determined to stand by it, whenever the
time comes, at which il is threatened to be broken
up. That is the only safeguard and only hope and
lit was preserved promising times would again
occur.
Dir. kennard hoped that whatever the meeting
"outd 90, would be In such manner as to com
mand the respect not only Of the citizens of Bati-
more, but also of those in foreign States.
Mr.. X. NJ. Beam moved to reconsider the vote
by which the committee desired to report at
the present meeting. The subject was of grave
Importance IMP and should not be hastily considered.
The committee wanted time. 1t would require nj
most the mind of Clay, Calhoun or ebster to
settle this great mechanical operation
The President said that the meeting did not wish
to procrastnate the important subject.
The committee here returned, when Mr. Stevens
Chairman, said they had only concluded to make
the following suggestion: that in view of the i'm
por,ance OF the question which agitates the
pubic mind, and its effect upon the mechanics and
laboring classes of our State, and this being but a
preliminary meeting, looking forward to general
meeting to express the sentiments of the mechan-
les, not only in this city of Baltimore, but through.
nnt tha Stafn
solutions:
ResolUed, That adjourn meet at some more CEN
tra locality and that such call be publicly announced
through all the daily papers of the city
Inc President then put the question upon the
report and it was adopted. He then moved that
the Committee be discharged. A voice in the
crowd suggested that the President had no right
10 make such motion. The President then said
any other man could make the motion which was
not done. Mr.. Stevens did not approve of the sug-
gesuons OF the President, and went on to give his
reasons, that they there to deliberate on i'm
portant questions, and We're there as men, not
children. He concluded by saying he hoped the
Committee would be discharged, and adopt the
suggestion of the President. The Committee was
continued, and the meeting adjourned to be called
again.
EXCITEMENT ON THE STREET.-Tbere was more ex-
cltement on the street Yesterday than on any
day since the Presidential election In the morn
ing the people gathered in crowds on Baltimore |
South and North Streets at their intersections |
anxiously waiting for the arrival of news and mo-
mentarily scanning the several bulletin boards. |
About eleven O'Clock dispatches were received
from Washington and Charleston, stating that the
South Carolinans had surrounded Fort Sumter
breastworks had been thrown up on Suivan's
Island, and fortiications erected on the shores
Fort Moultrie it was said, was again in a complete
condition OF defence, and Major Anderson was en-
tlrey cut OF from all communication. This despatch
created an intense excitement, and was discussed
by hundreds. In addition to the despatch there
were many extravagant rumnors a1oat, which
ya rIrt alA
was thus measurably increased. The afternoon ma |
pers were much sought for, and on the arrival in
the evening of the New York papers, there was
rush for them. The action of South Carolina was
discussed, and the opinions her course were yari-
Gus indeed. Some found to endorse her course
entirely; Others thought that while she was right
In the MAN, her precipitancy was to be regretted;
Whlle others condemned her entire proceedings |
Some oi tue discussions between the parties holding
opposite opinions we're warm, and in one or two in
stances came near resulting in violence. The |
southern sentiment is predominant, and the deter
nination to back the Southern States in their lust
demands was strong.
BuRGLARY.-Some time during Wednesday nipbt
the mouse OF Mr.. Schmitz, keeper of a Lager Beer
establishment on West Baltimore street, near Pom
pieSon, was robbed of various articles of jewelry
anu some SZo IN money. Among the things taken
y as goIa watch and chain, silver watch, gold
VI aGeiet ana earrings, hive gold fnger-rings, and
soid medallion. The articles and money had been i
placed Ia box, and then deposited in closet in
ohe Vi Tue up STAIRS rooms. AS no marks of vio-
renee were visible upon the doors or shutters of the
oulIoing, 1t was supposed that the robbery was
;oumltted by some person who was concealed in Fl
me premises, or by one who was employed about '
;l3O '"o ''''e'S Is aoou' p
MlsrAKE.-The announcement in the Sun YES !
eruay, that a detachment of twenty-five marines y
,assed over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to q
q ashington on Wednesday afternoon, and that #
unfair bodies of troops have recently travelled that
'aF, Tor the purpose of concentrating force at the
'nS u government was, upon inquiry yesterday,
'ena to be without any foundation. :
FIRE ALARM.-The alarm of fire yesterday even. b
e between six and seven O'Clock, from box 3, f
'aS occasioned by the rekindng of some of the l
Ho 'rs OF the late confagration, the premises I
4'e'y occupied by James S. Waters, ESQ There E
as general turn out of the District Companies i
Ut the services ofonly of them were required.
BOARD OF TRADE