Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-11

AEeHAsfes 8fEsftrt SPr EeH or
j. G. FIEcH&R-Last Saturday evening
there was a meeting at the Court.
House, that had been called to hear a
speech from Mr. ]. c. Finchsr, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, the representa-
tive man of the advocates of the Eight
Hours Movement Although the notice
had not been general, the workingmen,
or rather the mechanics, were ont in
full strength, the COURTROOM being
crowded Few persons not mechanics
were there. -oJ1 sec ~
The meeting was called to order at
halfpast seven o'clock by Capt. George
7. Cochran, who nominated John 4.
Taylor for Chairman, who was accord
ingly chosen.
On motion, James D. Saunders was
chosen Secretary. 81
Vice Presidents were appointed from
the various Trades Unions of the city;
also Committee on Resolutions.
The Chairman then introduced the
speaker as the person who had origin
ated the great movement for the reduc-
ton Of the hours Of labor, and former
conductor of FTncher's Trades ReoieaO.
Mr.. Fincher is a plain unpretendIng
gentleman in appearance, comPactly
built, neatly and substantially attired,
and seems as if he had been accustomed
to hard physical labor at some time in
his life His style of oratory is direct
and forcible, without any display, and
has in it a seasoning Of humor that
makes it racy.
He spoke about an hour and half,
advocating the cause of the working.
men and their favorite movements, to
their satisfaction, and with convincing
logic and illustration.
The principal portion of his remarks
consisted of running fire of comments
and replies that he made to q sermon
delivered BY a preacher somewhere in
"York State" portion, containing the
gist, of which he read. He met the
points with ability, and rather used uT
the opponent of the Eight Hour Reform
Mr.. Fincher branched out a little
fro n his subject and took strong ground
in favor of taxing United States bonds,
issued in raising money to put down the
rebellion. This branch of his subject he
dwelt on at considerable length anC
with great earnestness. He evidently
had not taken any Of the sos, 730s
or 10 40s, and was "heavy" on those
who had.
he berated the Indiana Legislature
severely for referring petitions ask
ing for the fixing Of eight hours a
legal days work to the Com
ittee Of Agriculture. He stated tina
an appeal would be made directl
to Congress, the supreme law-makin
power of the Nation, asking for tn
abridgment Of the hours of labor an
the fixing of an eight hours standard
and asked his hearers if they would sig
petitions to that effect when presented
Eyes, was the general response.
The speech was frequently applauded
and seemed to give great satisfaction
all when. advocating the eight hou
reform, and to the Secretary and other
of his way of thinking when running
tilt against the Government obligation
incurred in saving the Nation. 1t wa
calculated to do good while advocatin
the amelioration of the condition of th
working classes and their social an
intellectual elevation.
That portion directed against th
holders of the obligations of the Go
eminent sounded like Copperhea
! stump speech injected into a labor a.
dress. There was also vein Of irrev
erenoe on religious subjects, and of no
tility toward capitalists, which weaker
ed the effect of the address. We hope, fl
the good of the cause he represents, thl
Mr.. Fincher may in future judge en-
ployers more charitably, regard preacl
| ers as something more useful than dron'
in the hive Of society, and give the thor
sands of capitalists, widows, admins
! traitors, executors, and people of sma
/, means, who invested in Government 81
' curities during the war, some little cred
for patriotic motives 's.-
> After the speech was concluded, IL
8 Committee on Resolutions reported
t series, which were adopted, AID Il
. meeting adjourned.
9 1--WE shall publish the resolutions,
we can get them
4