Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-03-30

WOEKIsGNES's MASS MEHTING-The mass
meeting OF the wcrkingmen at Odd Fellows
tended.
The meeting was called TO order by Mr.. w.
r. Mclean, President of the Con vention, who
eight hour movement. Several msmbers of
Congress had been invited, some OF whom were
present, and others responded by letter. The
workingmen should be united, and If united
Ghey were sure to Succeed sooner or later.
ii. Clay Preuss was first introduced, and
spoke of the results and ACHE yements of labor
During Mr.. Preuss' address, the Book
Binders, who had formed in front OF the Patent
once, numbering about $50, and were
marshalled by Capt. j. II. Dubant, and headed
by Heald's American Brass Band, marched
into the hall, carrying with them two large
Eansparencies, one representing a ledger.
bearing on its back the legend Eight Hours"l
MIR. Preuss proceeded with his address, say
ing give the laborer time to rest his muscles,
and he will do more and better work 1t was
clear 70 his mind that the advantage was on
the side Of eight hours. Our whole country is
Hooded with young men too proud to work
and too poor to live without 1t, and it showed
that there was something radically wrong
His faith in man debarred him from adopting
the idea that men with a few more hours to en-
10y themselves would degenerate into brutes
labor had in this country furnished the best
quality OF brain, muscle and pluck, and he
noticed the first men In this country and Eng
land, too, drew their great men from the mid
die and lower classes.
Hon. q. w Julian, of Ind, was next intro
duced, and expressed his sympathy with the
movement. He used to labor himself, having
been farmer before he turned politician but
ne was not demagogue. In early life he read
a book called the Rights of Man, to which
more than any other book he is indebted for
what he is. He referred to various other
works, 20 show that labor should be we'll paid
he had advocated the homestead policy and
he knew OF none who had a better right TO
claim to father that policy than President
johnson. [Applause And having advocated
that principle, il was not to be expected but he
would advocate the eight hour movement He
had introduced bill for the purpose, and had
n referred 10 the Judiciary Committee because
he knew the committee, and he had been in
formed that it would be reported, and he
thought the prospect for the passage Of the bill
was excellent. Applause.
Major General Andrews, OF Minnesota, fol-
lowed, stating that he came, not expecting 10
Iake part IN the meeting, but he would saw tha:
he approved OF the object thew had in yiev
he was IN favor Of any measure which would
leTate the working classes. 1t is difficult TO
get out OF our old custom, and he Instanced the
difficulties in getting rid Of imprisonment for
debt The adoption Of the eight hour project
Will make labor more dignified and give 3D.
portunIty TO the laboring man TO improve him.
self He thought that men would do NEE
work IN eight hours than ten, and do il better
Mr: Richard Emmons was called ON. and
stated that he had attended the convention in
rev II rk on Monday, the object of which
was to make arrangements for a National Con-
Sress, and they concluded hat the Congress
snould be held in Baltimore In August mex
he advocated the measure, and was followed
by Alderman McCathran, who stated that
because Of the agitation of the question in N sv
\ ork two-thirds of the painters were idle
ment- The result will be that all the journey.
men viii become master workmen.
Mr.. Preuss recited his poem, s.Honor to tie
~orhngmen," amid much applause, and wa.
followed by Mr.. Berger, and he by Mr.
Mexican, of the bookbInders.
during the evening letter from Hon. Geo.
w Anderson OF Mo-, was read, regrettirg that
other engagements prevented his Attendance.
Also, q letter from Hon. John L. Thomas, re-
GREETING his inability to be present, and con-
yeying his assurances TO aid them both in and
out OF Congress in securing the passage OF such
laws as will accomplish what they desire and
what IN his judgment, they ought 70 have
saying, 81 have never been in favor OF any Of
Ihese lnVidlous determinations in labor I
think the laborer az our Navy Yards and in
our Government workshops is entitled 20 the
same rights as the clerks in the Treasury or
fost On1ce Departments, and that all Of them
should have the time to read and to study and
10 rest from labor, and / am satisfied the en-
hgntened progress OF the age viii sooner OF
Later secure TO them these rights"
A letter from Hon. A. ]. Rogers, Of New Jer-
sey, was also read, In which he says:-"Al-
though cannot be present 70 address your
assist You all that is in my power In your hon
orable Undertaking 10 induce the passage of
laws making eight hours a days work
know OF no movement so important as this TO
the interests Of the employers and employed,
ana 10 the welfare of relig iJn, morality, health
happiness and the good order Of society. La
Dor Is the life and blood OF the nation. With
out u all would be ruin. Capital would be OF
no avail, and the greatness and grauduess of
nations would be destroyed forever. Why is
It not then, time that we should begin to lei is-
late 70 protect labor! Much OF our time is
spent IN protecting the rights Of capitalists
why not dedicate some OF that time in pro-
tecting labor !''
Want of space fsrbids the insertion Of more
Of this interesting communication
NKW CHURCHRs.-The English Lutherans
have purchased of Caleb Gushing the triauRu-
lar piece OF ground bounded by and 18th
streets and Vermont avenue, on which they at