Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-05-17
LOCAL NEWS.

I'm
hJereHce to the EIecti0n.-The regular monthly
meeting OF the Workingmen's invention was
held In the Council Chamber, (City HalID last
evening, when a majority Of the various trade
organizations were represented. Mr.. w. r.
Mclean, President, took the chair. Mr. los
w. Mattingly, Secretary.
The credentials of VIM. Stewart, from the
1fahlte Cutters, TO fill n vacancy occasioned
by the withdrawal of John Collins, ard t,d
Mastln, VIM. McDermott, w. A Fletcher of
the snip carpenters and caulkers, were re-
eeived, and after the committee on credentials
had reported favorably thereon they were ad
mitted TO seats.
Mr.. Jos. r. Waltemyer, Corresponding Sec
Humphrey, OF N. Y, expressing sympathy
with the movement. Also, a comm1nicatio1
from James German, Corresponding Secretary
a national con vention.
Mr. Cayis, from the executive committee re-
ported that they had taken steps towards hold
ing mass meeting at Odd Fellows Hall on
Mr.. Clark, from a subcommittee appointed
lor the purpose, reported the bill introd uced
IN the Ceuncii In October last by Mr. W p.
Ferguson making eight hours a legal DAYS
work on all Corporation work, including con-
Uacts, with a recommendation that the bill ba
''dopted as the platform Of the workingmen.
MI Waltemyer moved the appointment of
committee to ascertain the standing of the Va
rious candidates for the municipal offices
MT. McCathran asked IL IL was proposed to
tbe interests OF members OF the convention in
a certain ward. j ~ ,Ef.-..a = y -
Mr.. Clark sand that the committee had acted
In obedience 70 the vote OF the executive COM
mittee, and after he had received the hin his
duties were At an end. He did not believe that
mere was any intention on the part Of the
committee 10 use the bill against any members
Of the convention, and it was 10 be regrettsd IL
II had been used as intimated.
Mr.. Z. i. Canneld said that few wears ago
a small band in the Councils had stood nm for
" gv1,Ql ht,eS
attempt now TO misrepreeent the actions of
tnat little band in some Of the wards HIS
lrisnd, ire Mr. MeCathran, was one of that band,
and SO was the gentleman who the previous
evening had received the unanimous vote OF the
1th ward as the nominee for Alderman He
urged tnat the other wards should do as the
SeVenth had done, and deal Justly with their
trends. Now there is some pickering because
TINS little band could not accomplish what
they wished TO, and were obliged to take up
such a measure as they could pass. These men
are now thrown out aud latter day saints are
taken up. Mr.. MsCathran had explained that
the bill of Mr.. Ferguson could not have passed
support none bnt those who have sunnortad
tnem. In conclusion he urged that IL was nm.
lair to charge that Mr.. McOathran was an on
ponent OF tne measure. for his record would
snow that he was one OF its earliest supporters
MT McCathran expressed his qualification
tnat the committee had not used the bill
against MIN, but it appeared that individual
members OF the convention had been using It
for the purpose, and it had been asserted thai
because he had introduced another bill than
the one which passed the Council, that he had
deserted the cause He had never been op-
posed to Mr.. Ferguson's bill, and would yoTe
for 1t IL it ever came up; but at the time there
was no possible chance Of its passing the Al
dermen. They now attempted TO stab him To
death because years ago he dared 10 stand mn
Tor the workingmen. He wished il understood
that he was not an eight hour man from self
interest, but was one At heart, and would chal-
lenge them TO chow a more sincere one Be
cause the Aldermen's committee would NOT
allow him TO report the bill because IL was inn
possible to pass ii, they will try him without
the right OF counsel, and hang him in the carnn
OF his enemies.
Mr.. Letsurnau urged that no mans bill be
taken as platform, but that the con yention
appoint committee and make a platform for
themselves, and as for appointing com mittae
10 lnterrogate the candidates, he was opposed
to il, for, in election times. affirmative answers
would be made by all candidates
Mr.. Mclean fMr. Emmons in the Chair,
asked II the Convention were not losing ei1ht
OF their object, and urged harmony. The Con
ssonion met M ts ios the purpose Of the
nominate candidates for the mayoraItv or ,ho
councils. They should keep aioof from sncb
sSuon, s Wnicn would produce dissensions;
should exercise their right and vote only for
tnose known TO favor the object of the Com ven
non, as expressed in the platform As for the
charges against Mr.. McCathran, he had this TO
say, that II an error had been Committed in
urging tne passage Of the Aldermen bill, in
s.eao ot tnat known as tie Council bill, the |
ianIt was with the Convention and not with 4
Mr.. McC. The Convention had ON two occa-
sions adhered 70 its determination 20 ask for |
the passage of the Aldermen BILL being satisfied
tnat the other bill could not be passed. Ii was
apparent that Mr.. McC. had been unJnstly as
saileo, but the Con vention We're satisfied as TO
his course, and be hoped and believed that the /
workingmen would sustain him
The vote was then taken ana tne report OF Il
the committee was adopted
Mr.. Waltemyer's motion for the appointment /
of a committee TO ascertain the views OF the /
candidates on the eight hour question was
MI. Letournsu offered the following, which
was unanimously adopted:
P.,oJrsd That this convention endorse the 4
mast eourse Of Mr.. Donald McCathrau in his |
arduous efforts TO bring about law 70 make /
eight hours legal days work on all work L
done by the Corporation, and that this conyen /
lion recommend him 10 the hearty support of i
all workingmen in his ward as suitable can. |