The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-11-10

Z
At the time OF writing this, aad for the
past week, everything smaaks of politics. II
is the all absorbing topic ia doors and out
and has called many from attending their
usual organizsuons but the excitementis
happily but If short duration, aud on Tues
day the hopes or fears OF the many candi-
dates will be realized, when things in gene
raj viii again take their wouted course.
see, by the Advocate, that You ln the West
are also agitated BY the political question .
Of the day, and that eight hours is the plat
form on which Yourself and colleagues
stand, aud you have my fervent wish that
success will attend you, add hope the work
ingmen If Chicago will eschew their former
party atfinites, and so far study their own
interests as to vote for none but those pledg-
ed to eight hours, and the amelioration OF
the working classes. | also learn that friend
Stewart, of Detroit, the champion OF the
8 freedom Of the putsiic lands," in the late
Labor Congress, is also in nomination in his
STATE. Nav he also prove successful, say !,
that he may b. ple ed in position not only
to advocate, but 10 act, in the matteV'he has
50 much al heart
Since my last, we have organized in this
city Central Eight Hour League, the or
CANCERS being some Of our best and NEST
active workers in the Labor Reform move
ment Of the present day. II Is intended that
this Central League shall be the nucleus
from which Leagues shall be formed in each
Of the twenty-five wards Of the city, which
matter will have theE attention as soon as
the present election Is disposed of. The sec
rotary Of the League is busily engaged inter
rogating and receiving the replies Of the va
ri0us candidates in nomination, nearly all OF
whom have expressed their establishment
that il should Cor one moment be supposed
that they would vote for any other than an
eight hour mar, in fact, they would almost
have you believe that is the only reason why
they so earnestly desire an election but
there is poor dependence in their declara-
tons, made to be but broken. There are
many worklugmen's candidates in nomina-
ton; but most Of them will prove but poor
representatives, for that class, and know very
little about work that is, labor with their
own hands. | hope TO see the day when
work ingm, II will select their representa-
tives from the work shops, the foundries,
and the many other places in which man
ual labor Is performed. Ii requires but. the
seeking to find ample material Of the best
quality which, with q httle polishing, would
shine forth with fine lustre, a representative
man.
The journeymen giItiers Of this city are on
a strike for an advance of five cents per hour.
Their present rate Of wages is thirty cents
per hour, and they think the present cost Of
the necessaries Of life warrant the advance.
They desire that I'LL giiders viii avoid seek
ing employ ment in New York at present.
| have heard that the Bank Note Printers
held a preliminary meeting on Saturday
evening last, ard took the preparatory steps
towards forming Trade Protective Associa-
ton for their mutual benefit, caused by some
Of the Bank Note Companies making an ef-
fort to reduce their pay. Success to the
movement The more the merrier
Our Trade Unions, as \ general thing, are
in a healthy state. The Cordwainers Of this
city, numbering between five and six hun
dred members, and a well-organized body Of
men, divided into four Divisions, -one Eng
lish. two German aud one French, all work
ing under the same system and code of laws
with their shop-meetings-are DESTROYS Of
corresponding with their craft throughout
the United States, With a view to the lorna
ton of a National Union. The address of
their Secretary is, Nj. Thomas Ryan, 1870
Eldridge Street, New York City.
The WoIkingmen's Union held their semi
monthly meeting on Friday Evening last,
with good representation present. A COM
mittee OF observation from the Dcrrickmen
were present and granted the privileges Of the
floor for the evening. The committee hav-
- aha rha nc 20 "a -
ticability Of establishing Workingman's In
stitute, rendered favorable report with q
attached. The report was
received and the recommendation unani-
mously adopted; and Messrs. Jessup, Neville
aud Reid appointed committee 70 receive
subscriptions. Mr.. Ennis, OF the Plasterers,
reported they had proved successful ia their
demand for the full hour for dinner through
the winter. Bricklayers reported their pre-
sent rate Of wages at 81 50 per day. Furni-
tu-e and carpet clerks report that they were
unable to do anything with the Hudson
street furniture dealer, he saying that he
paid his men, and would conduct bis bust
ness as he thought best and most advanta-
geous to his interest. An amendment to
the by laws were adopted, providing for an
corresponding secretary, after
which the meeting adjourned
Quite q number paid their subscriptions
towards the Workingmen's Institute, and
all appear to look forward to its establish
ment as another step forward towards the
Of the working masses, and l
feel assured, the committee having the
matter in charge, will exert themselves to
their utmost to make the Institute reality
at an early day; so that with eight hours as
a days work, the mechanics and laborers Of
this city viii be able TO improve themselves
morally and physically Hoping
TO hear, by your next issue, of your election
as an eight hour representative, ! remain
yours truly, SHIP-JoISER.
From Fort " awe. Ind.