davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05
Letter rrom wisconsin.

WArERIoN, WIS, April ~, 1890
70 the Editor of The goaSScaAys Apsoc.rr.
SIR A few days ago a young man ffom
your city came to our place aud brought a
copy Of the AovocArE which he passed
around among the boys il the shop. Seeing
that il was of the ''right Stripe" ~ 0f IVY
come dOtcn lriih oar dollars, and subscribed
for il for six months, which subscription
no doubt YOU have received, and the papers
will be forthcoming.
Now as we intend to pass around our
papers when We get them, and hope that
others who take them will dO Likewise.
want to tell YOU and have You put Il 10
readable and comprehensive form as am
not writer for the papers), what We are
doing up in our little Back Woods City, ia
the way Of organization, hoping it may
encourage others who think a. we did few
months ago, viz that our numbers were
small, and our best efforts must i4il t0 nc
complish anything, and 70 they would ~
/ thew had been the only individuals, and VI
could not comprehend the iFisistabie force
81 combined and thoroughly organized
effort. do not propose to 90 into details
at this time bat simply state few plain
facts.
The NJ. 4 B. Union, M. B, of Wisconsin
was organized last November. Fourteen
members ali told comprised it, which wac
nearly all that was then eligible. But they
were Of the right material, and were willing
to sacrifice time and money.
/ We We're willing to ''east our bread upon
the waters" hoping that il it did not return
in our day, it would return in the DAYS "
our children, and In such quantities that
they would be enabled " procure the stat
Of life by working eight hours day
/ We made a start, procured our charter.
our meeting room, our bylaws, our seal, our
furniture, &c. We struggled on until we
paid our debts and got oar heads above
water and to-day we are recognized as 4
permanent organization by our honorable
city fathers, who have magnanimously
rendered Us the use Of their Council Rooms
70 meet in, free Of charge We then turned
our attention 10 the tcasiTg up OF the
masses of the working people, and were for
tunate enough to secure the services Of Mr.
Jonathan c. Fincher who delivered a lecture
to US on the nineteenth I'D ult. AT tn
close Of which an invitation was extended
for those who desired to unite in forming
an Eight Hour League to come forward,
and we obtained nearly hundred sigma
lures. And when you hear from US again,
rest assured that we shall have a League
fully organized, and will not now predict
what results we may obtain before our next
! state election. And now fellow -workmen VI
. other localities, IL 20 few Of as BY united
effort can set q ball in motion that will
} ultimately reyolutionize the politics Of this
. city, which have been stereotyped and
5 handed down for ages, where the mayor nd
r other officers are now elected without al
OPPOSITION ticket or a dissenting vote, WIS.
excuse have you for hold lg back z
Drill.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05
THE GRAND = HOUR LEAGUE

We publish to-day the official report Of
the proceedings of the first session Of the
Grand Eight Hour League Of the State Of
Illinois, which we trust will be read with
interest and pleasure by every friend Of tbs
movement Although q little concession
was required at its organization, the spirit
manifested Throughout its deliberations testi
fed 70 the fact that the success OF the move
ment was the paramount issue with every
representative. In fact il has never been
our privilege to participate in the discussions
# any body, where a greater unanimity Of
sent ment prevailed, OF a willingness to sac
r,tce personal preferences fer. the general
good, was more generously Illustrated. So
long As these feelings aotuate the great body
Of the working classe4, our success is simply
a question of time, and we hope the day is
far distant when a different feeling will con-
trol our counSls.
The League has been peculiarly fortunate
ii IFS selection % officers, as the gentlemen
NANNtSN 500 NftAbNN NAtN iNAShf
qualified for their respective positions, com
bining the executive ability, the honesty OF
character and fidelity to principle demanded
by those occupying their position, We feel
assured they will perform their duties in a
manner winch VIII reflect credit both on
themselves and the cause with which they
are idel sihed
In looking over the report, however, our
readers must not expect too much from the
first effort. The corner stone has been but
laid, the superstructure has yet to be erect
ed though they may rest assured as "Revo-
buttons never 60 backwards" the men who
have taken this matter in hard are deter
mined that their efforts shall pever be re-
laxed till the goal Of their ambition is reach
ed, and law masking eight hours legal
days work is placed upon the statues Of
Illinois.
AL some future time, We shall refer more
particularly to some Of the measures which
engrossed the attention of the Convention.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

SrsIKE.-The steyedcres in Philadelphia
are on strike for half days work when
ever the job is finished under that time.
/ heretofore the practice has been to pay
them for usrtsr-day's work for all small
periods, but they now demand a half-day's
pay.
ALI iron workers in Mobile, commencing
April 2, work but eight hours day.
A co-oPERArIvR store IL to be established
at Taunton, Mass.
TnE mllers Of Brandywine, Pa, have in
itiated movement for the formation Of 3
National Union, and want the millers Of
Troy TO form local union
The Trades Unions in Portland, Ne, are
about organizing Trades Assembly, and
have sent 70 Troy for instructions.
TRE Walters Association in New York, al
theu last meeting, unanimously donated one
hundred dollars TO aid the painters il their
eight hour strike.
THs mason laborers Of Jersey City are or
q strike for $3.50 per day. IL is supposed
that they Will either receive the demand d
compromise on 1925
Tue Maehinsts and Blacksmiths' Union
mo. ID OF Roxbury, which surrendered its
charter recently, has formed new organi
Laiion independent Of the National Union.
THE recent strike of the sash and blind
makers Of New York, is proving successful
sixteen Of the employers, after holding out q
week, having complied with the request OF
their workmen for an advance in wages.
AT 8 recent meeting Of the Cohoes Brick
layers and Plasterers Union taking into con
slderation the FACT that large number Of in
experienced boys mot appIentices) are being
hired by employers to laLh preparatory to
plastering, and considering he same an in
trinLement of their rights it was unani
mously resolved not to plast er where such
lathing has been done, nor o plaster over
lathing except that done BY regular work
men or apprentices Of the trade-
The journeymen shipwrights Of New York
RASaAoA = Neio W A4CiC u6t I'D Ahd SNIP
masters, in which they say; Hoping that
you vii consider that we hAvs done your
work heretofore, and that we are as capable
Of doing the work now as ever, ii lsrelore We
would most respectfully ask iiair trial. "
That the talk
ANOTHER Union has been add I'd to the
organization Of coachmakers. on having
been organized on the 18th inst, q Boston
BY the President Of the Internations u Union
VIM. Harding.
The Journeyman painters Of Ne w York
continue to hold out in their strike Cor eight
hours. A party Of them have been employ
ed and are working upon the Fig. 1t Hour
system, but the majority are without; ;sork
They have issued an appeal TO the p ainters
Of the United States to help them thro, agh to
the establishment Of the system, a. I'd W,
trust their call for assistance will not % un
needed. Subscriptions may be sent to p J
Hart, No. 1913 Tenth avenue, New York
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

We would impress on our readers the in
por zee Of e unity Of purpose and unity
Of ION 10 the labor movement. What Ia. OF
nee 5 is not special grants Of legislative
favors, but simple, eyen-hsnded Justice.
Every form of the labor interest must be
fairly and fully represented. In the labor
movement, TO ignore any Of the great OBJ
staces which lie in our pathway and which
viii hinder our success, is not wise. The
right to eight hours for legal days work
NAV be Justly demanded as a necessity OF
mans moral, intellectual and physical ma
ture. Upon this ground alone the demand
should be granted But in a pecuniary
point Of view the claim is equally well
founded. Labor produces the wealth why
should il not be rewarded with its posses
sion No good reason can be shown WHY
this should not be the case, yet no honest
man will contend that laborers as class
have an oyerabundance Of this worlds
goods. On the contrary, candid men will
admit that laborers as a class do not receive
anything like fair share of the products OF
their TIL. Why then should not an earnest
effort be made to attain so desirable an end
All disinterested persons will admit that
the object Is a worthy one. But it is said
that the eight hour movement viii not pro-
mote this object; that men can scarcely get
living by working ten hours day, much
less can they dc so at eight. Then it is
claimed thu. the laborers as class are i'm
provident, that they do not calculate WI
besides; that unless tie pay is reduced it
will be doing great injustice to their en-
poyers. If the misfortune OF the laborer is
IN his want of calculation, eight hours will
give him an opportunity to improve that.
If it lies in the direction of legal advan-
tage or over calculation on the part of
others, It viii have also a tendency to cor
rect that evil.
And unless it can be shown that laborers
have more than their share Of what they
earn, II cannot well be proved that they get
too much by receiving the same for eight
hours laoor as they now receive for ten.
Now, let those gentlemen who are such apt
scholars and 20 wei skilled in figures, show
If they ca, that by reducing labor to eight
hours per day, aud paying the same as now
paid, that any injustice will be done. II
they cannot do this, then let us hear no
more Of laborers getting pay for work not
performed. If the laborers are increased
ia number one-ffth, would not that be q
public beDenr; and is it reasonable to con-
ciude that with such an additional force Of
mea that nc more WORK will be done than
with one-fiftb less at ten hours per day ?
But by what authority has one man the
right to say 70 another, you shall labor ten
hours per daE, il is for your advantage, and
will DO great public injury to do other
wisef Who created these men Judges ?
Why may not the laborsrs say to these capt.
taliats, sirs, i improves my health to work
eight hours, it viii improve yours. We
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05


On motion It was resolved that the Prcsi-
dent, YIN. o. Hewitt, Galesburg, be added
TO the delegates.
On motion il was resolved that the Grand
League defrsy the expenses Of Delegates e
the Baltimore Convention
On motion the President be empowered ~
procure charters ami supply the subordinate
Leagues who have purchased charter from
the Grand League as it formerly existed,
gratis.
The following resolutions were then unani-
moosly adopted:
Resolvsd, That We purchase wv property
which has been in use by the former Grand
League.
Res0lred, That q notice be inserted = tha
WoKKISGMANs ADVOCATE bv the CORES
ponding Secretary of each League, giving
his address and No. Of his League, with the
place Of meeting
4 Resoirei, That each sub league shall maxi
a report to the secretary of the Grand
League, on Dr. before the first Monday III
February, May, August, aud November, Of
each year
Reselced That the President obtain pass
word to be sent once 10 three months 10 -hs
deputy presidents of subordinate Leagues.
and he To the League ~ which he j. deputy
president
Report Of Committee On IEitia;ory and
Installation ceremony, was received and on
motion adopted
/ On motion it was
/ Resoiosd, That vote Of thanks be tender
ed 10 tho Mayor and Common Council III the
Y City OF Chicago, for their kindness toward
the Grand League by giving The use q the
Council Chamber for its session.
On motion vote Of thanks be rendered
our President, Mr. Wm @ Hewitt, OF Gales
burg, for the able, judicious and impartial
manner in which he has fulfilled tie duties
OF his office during the session u this Con
vention.
u On motion vote thanks he rendered to
Mr.. A. q. Cameron, for the active part he
has taken in behalf Of the laboriug classes,
and more especially during the session oi
this Convention.
On motion adjourned % meet a Aurora,
the first Monday IN september 1865.
\ Signed, TnoAAs WHrLEY, S,r
Il SJ2 West Taylor-sts Chicago.
W o. IIkwirr, Galesburg, o. Box, 53.
n L. GALLOWAY, AmboY.
p > RoBNsoN, l4s NeNberry 81, Chicago
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05
the GRAND EIGHT HOUR LEAal ".
THE STATE CONVENTION.


The first regular meeting OF the Eie ]
Hor Leagues Of the State Of Illinois. CO
vened IN the council chamber Of the city
Chicago, on Wednesday morning, May q,
| The Convention was called to order b,
Mr.. A. c. Cameron, who. in very eloquen,
speech, stated the objects. Of the Convention,
but on attemptingto proceed with business,
the question arose As to the legality Of the
Grand Leagues existence, when, after con-
siderable discussion it was decided TO form q
new Grand League.
TWAS then resOlssd that Mr.. W %. Hewitt,
of Galsslprg, be elected temporary chairman,
and Mr. Thomas Whitley, Of Chicago, secre-
tary.
On motion, committee on credentials
was appointed, t. consist Of one delegate
from each league sr.sl ta.. q
On motion, the meeting adjourned to
meet at O'Clock. Pm
AFTERNOON SESSION. iaD-
The meeting was called to order at half
past three o'clock, by the President, who
called for the reading Of minutes Of previous
meeting, which on motion were adopted
After few remarks relative to the business
before the Convention from the President,
the following brethren were appointed q
committees on credentials.
ID. w. Young, Aurora; p. Mcpherson,
srd Ward; p s. Robinson, 7th Ward; P.
Tow ascend, EIgin Wm. Hartley, Blooming
ten; s. d. White, CsntraliA; E.. Galloway,
Amboy d. H. Slayter, Batavia; c. Child,
sth Ward G. Darling, 4th Ward !; J. Pack
or. Sandwich; P. Dayis, 9th Ward; A. G.
Cameron, 1st Ward.
On motion the COMMITTEES decide The ratio
Of Representatives TO the Convention Car.
ried.
The Committee made tbs folapwing report
Bro. Young made motion that the ratio
be fixed at one representative for every ,ffty
members. f
Bro. Robinson nsrea an amendment that
the representation BE- nxsa ~ one for every
one hundred, which was carried O. 70 r. i.
Bro. Rohipson. moved that the represent
atiOn be one Sos one hundred Or hess. and
one fpr every fraction over tssltY.avs
which vas carried a sss jei.3 .>ss..
On motion the Rirxt Ward VS. entitled y
one delegate. iss ti'aeii. i { =
On motion y the dsys.a.s pIsr.,,r.ai aes ~
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

WAoEs IN fAELAsD.-owins to the In
crease Of emigration from the southern
counties Of Ireland, ne wages for sss1n "a
borers have lately reached the highest Squire
ever AZ. vn in Kerry-twslvs shillings to
fifteen shillings sterling week with board.
In many parts OF the county Of Cork the
rate is ten shillings, and ~ emigration con-
tinues 40 brisk Is ever, labor 10 likely to
command this price generally. For twenty
years there has not been such emigration
from the port of Droghsda.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05
NEWS OF THE DAY.

7 The Hon. Lewis d. Campbell has been
confirmed as Minister to Mexico. 81
General Meade has just returned from S.
Andrews, n. B., where he metmGeneras
Doyle, Of The British army to consult On
Fenian affairs. 1t i reported that the troops
nr Eastport have orders TO Dc ready IA
march at q moments notice. Their desti-
nation 10 unknown.
Antoine Pfobst has been sentenced to be
hung for the murder Of the Deering family
at Phil adelphia. He received his sentenee
without any visible emotion, and made ne
remarks. The day for bis execution will ps
fixed by the Governor az the State. Y. at i
The Mississippi river, from ~ source 70
ito mouth, ~ just now higher than y mas
been Known for many years, and IN many
places ovsrdoxs its banks. All Ats many
tributaries, especially those in Minnesota
and Wisconsin, are also unusually high. Q
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

titled &C vote, be invited to seat in the
ConyeEtion. (Signsd,lz
~ EbaAs GALLowxs, Soy.
Ths nllow;.s ssntleshen we-e thsa d
clarei - q. itled 10 seats IS dels krtes;
A. Q. Cansron. p. McPherson. K. >. Bar
rett, VIM. Taylor, VIM. Sutton, G. Darling
=. Dubach, P. s. Robinson, p Markey, G
Child. and T. Whitley, of Chicago; W. Vim
ter, J. II. Saell, David Tiff, J. D. Hall, Geo
Rogers, D. w. Young. and J. ellison, d
Aurora; p. Townsend, Elgin W. Hartley
Bloomington !; 8. ID. White, CentraliA 2
Galloway, Amboy p. Fl. Slayton, Batavia
J. Packer, Sandwich wm. o. Hewitt
Galesburg, ts.
On motion the report was accepted ans
adopted.
On motion Of Bro. ellison, il was resolved
than no-delegate should occupy the foo
more than five minutes at time. and shall
not be allowed to speak twice on any ques
ton until all the delegates have had an op
portunity to express their opinion.
On motion Of Bro. Young, it was resolve,
that committee Of three be appointed OF
permanent organization Bro. D. w. Young
Aurora, p 5. Robinson, 7th Ward, and
D. White, Centralia, were appointed sucl
committee.
On motion committee of three be ap
pointed to draft an initiatory ceremony ant
installation David Ilif, Aurora; K.
Barrett, 4th Ward, and VIM. Hartley
Bloomington, we're appointed such COMMITTEE
On motion OF Bro Robinson it was resolv
ed that we proceed to elect officers to-mor
row morning at 10 o'clock.
On motion of Bro. A. c. Cameron, it wa
resolved that a committee Of three be ap
pointed 10 draft resolution expressive 0
the sense Of this Convention on the matte
Of Convict Labor Bros A. @. Cameron, i
Galloway, and j. c. Packer, were ap
pointed such committee.
The Convention then adjourned to NEE
Thursday morning, May 3rd, at o'clock.
THoAAs WHTLEY, Secretary.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05
Challenge.

CHICAGO, Aprii 2sthI IobI,
At the regular meeting Of the Third Ward
Eight Hour League, held at their hall, No.
1884 South CLARK Street, on Saturday even
ing, April 2sth, i was
Resolved, That We, the members Of the
above League do hereby challenge any al
derman. Or ex- Alderman aud Mayor, Of the
City OF Chicago, who voted Against the
eight hour petition in the Council Chamber,
to meet this League to debate the question
an their hall, No. Ss4 South Clark street, on
Saturday evening, May 18th.
u. JULIUS G. A. RoDBERrus, Rec. Sec. !.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05
REMOVAL.

TIE Office Of the WoRKEGMAs's ADVOCATE
has been removed to No. l55 South Clark
Street, Morrison's Block, Room 5, third floor,
between Madison and Monroe streets.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

have compslisd me % stats these unplsaAr|
truths, & -
Iremsin, yours respectfully,
~ A. @. CAxszou.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

MA, ,ftuoeiation shall be knewz BY tn
titls 81 seTHE EIGHT HOUR LEA6UE
NO. e. O, ? nLZsolS
. he sos;ss. : Vt shts LssSss shall b y
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

The purpose Of the Eight Hoor League of
Illinois is TO carry on a wide spread and q
vigorous pubic agitation Of the question Of
+ sducing the hours Of laboDto an uniform
ct sndard Of eight per day. The support Of
the agitation u 30 be betrayed by the Sub
ordiaste Leagues, and by voluntary contri-
bations from those interested In the stain
ment of the object. The object of this
League. while furnishing its quota Of the
support for the dsfrayal Of the State agita-
ton, will also be to sustain . local agitation
BY distributing tracts and circulating petit
tfons and holding Pablo meetings and, In
order TO make the agitation effective, the
duty Of the League win be 70 opersts upon
the local politics, a. affecting the election Of
Representatives to tho State Legislature,
| and 70 Congress, who must be pledged to
support the enactment Of . LAW, that Slight
Hcsrs saall o0astituts . legal days works
! thfonehoqt the State of Illinois and in the
National WogEs.
N CoNSEITuIn0N. .s1f
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

Tue imlnculAIe EcpeAi Vi tuis oonoAious Ahu
injurious system
On motion Of Mr.. Ys,nng, from Aurora,
the following resolution was adopted BY .
unanimous vote:
| Rssolsed, That the WoRkIxGxAx's ADvo
CATE be adopted rs the official organ Of the
Grand League, SO long as its proprietor
keep its columns free from political issues
and advocate only the question Of eigh
hours becoming legal days work, ths
rights and claims of the soldiers Of tn,
United States, and Our unalterable opposition
to all monopoles.
On motion the following resolution Wa
adopted '-'
i Rssolued, That in addition to other pledge!
required OF candidates for the State Legisla
Iture, they be required to pledge themselye.
to use their influence TO have law passed
requiring Locomotive Engineers TO b
licensed by q regular board Of examiners
composed Of practical engineers.
4 On motion the following resolution was
adopted
/ Resolpcd, That we win support no man o.
| men a. candidates for the State Legislature
| who are not pledged Id work and vote for .
j law reducing the hours Of labor from ten L
! eight hours per day throughout the State o
! illinois.
III On motion it was resolved that We cleo
4 delegates to the National Convention TO b
,llield in the city Of Baltimore, On the I'd On,
August, 1855. 1
| The following gentlemen were aPpointst
a delegates: d. W. Young Aurora; W
Hartley, Bloomington; A. G, Cameron, Is
u Ward, Chicago. MA. .n.l.l N N -
The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-01-12
THE VIRGINIANS.

Hon. Henry Clay Dean, of Iowa, in
speech delivered at Hackensack, New Jer-
sey, a few days ago, paid the following
tribute to Virginians :
"'I dare speak one kind word for the op-
pressed in the very teeth of the oPpressor.
Since Adam took possession of Eden, no
part of his heritage has given to man such
an hundred years of history as that of Vir-
ginia, beginning with the public life of
George Washington, and ending with the
surrender of the armies of General Robert
E. Lee. The great orator, Patrick Henry,
whose spirit lighted up the great ReyOlu-
ton, and whose mild, sweet voice called
armies up the valleys and down from the
mountains to defend New York, New Jersey
and Massachusetts from the invaders hoof,
was Yirginian; George Washington, who
led those armies, was Virginian; Thomas
Jefferson, whose great soul encOmpassed
the world and lifted its light upon a be-
nighted age to teach it liberty, was Vir-
ginian; James Madison, who inVironed our
rights by flame of living fire. which the
most illustrieus periods in the past and
present century preserved unharrned, all
that was sacred in life and precious in hope
the Constitution of the United States
was VIrginian; John Marshall. whose lu-
minous mind, guided by immutable justice,
gave being to most profound and compre-
hensiVe judiciary--the bulWarks Of Ameri-
can institutions, the marvel of mankind
was VirgiDian; Henry Clay, whose com
manding majesty of soul drew after him,