The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-04-21

II must certainly have non plussed
stranger in the city Of Chicago on glancin
over the morning papers Of the 18th inst.
70 learn from the Tribune and other kindre'
sheets, chat the Republicans had swept tn
city. and az the same time to read the IN
noul cement in the organ Of the unterrified
ttst victory had perched upon the Demo
cratic banners. More especially, however
must he friends Of the eight hour move
ment have been surprised TO see, that will
one trhing exception, the very existence o
their candidates were studiously ignored
they would certainly have looked in vain Il
know that five Of the aldermen elected hat
been pledged to sustain the movement, D
that every successful candidate ran as al
endorser of the eight hour system. Suffice
Il 10 say that such is the case, and while th'
varying statements were doubtless made fol-
the purpose Of decciylng the uninitiated, OF
for foreign consumption, they could only
mi-lead those Who have 10 means Of sscer
tanning the truth, as every one acquainted
with the facts Knows that the claims of both
political parties were mere impudent as
sumptons.
The fact is, that SO far from being dis
heartened the workingmen of Chicago have
every reason to feel proud of their record in
this their first contest for political suprem-
acy. 1t aas certainly not TO be expected by
any reasonable mind, that the partyism OF
years, backed BY All the wealth and corrup-
ton Of the city, could be broken up at this
encounter, bat there is more than one poll
,ician. who has heretofore, considered him
self invincible, who now realizes that the
eight nour element IS destined to control
every department Of our city government.
What elected Alderman Barrett in the
Third, or defeated Alderman Sherwin in the
Seventh Wards RepubliclnIsm, Demo-
cracv, or the Eight Hour Leagues? We
leave both these gentlemen to answer at
their leisure.
With regard to actual results, out
and cut eight hour men were elected in
the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Eleventh,
Thirteenth and Sixteenth wards, while it is
a well known fact that even the defeated
candidates claimed that the eight hour
leagues contained no more devoted advocates
IF the movement than themselves. In fact
no aati-eight hour ticket dared to show itself
even the gentleman from the ninth ward
who spoke and voted against the adoption
Of the resolution presented by the corpora
ton council-Alderman Woodard-became
effected with the mania, and declared him
self a convert to the system. We mention
these facts not 50 much for the sake of glori-
fcation. as to show our readers the treaehery
and hypocrisy Of all mere political organs,
a. soon as they think their purposes have
been accomplished.
The aldermen elect from the Second,
Fourth. Seventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth
Wa ds, declared. publicly and above board,
tha % far as their sympathy aud influence
wero concerned, they were unequivocaliy in
favor 81 shortening ths hours Of labor, and
shou upon all appropriate occasions prove
that their actions correspondent with their
words How these promises will be kept
remains % BE seen; in the meantime We
shall We them credit for sincerity Of pur-
pose, though We assure them if the future
shall puo 7e to the contrary, their Implicitly
witt De q posed in language more forcible
than elegant.
It is Ell known fact that the nomina-
tons made tY the leagues were independent
altogether Of Ne political antecedents Of the
candidates, tn pugh in several instances il
was deemed ivsable to offer no opposi'
ton BY political caucuses, bit in no ease
was mere party nomination accepted at
the basis for an endorsement by any league
In the case Of the nominee for the sixth
ward, owing to the fact that but little notifi
cation had been given, it was deemed advis-
able to have him withdraw in favor Of Mr.
Walwork, who subscribed to all that wa:
demanded. While we rejoice at his election
believing him to be an honest man, we trust
it is the last time that such a precedent will
be followed, aud that in future the standard
bearers Of the eight hour movement viii be
selected from the ranks Of workingmen
alone !: and that DO man who has been pro.
minently identified with any political faction
VIII he selected az a fit and proper party Il
represent its interests.
With these results before u, therefore,
we can well afford to smile at the claims sci
forward by our public Journal sas to tbs
triumph Of their candidates, knowing full
veil that at the next election, the boastings
or entreaties Of either, will avail nothing
and that If the candidates are honest in
their professions, an opportunity sciH be