The New York herald., 1867-02-28

THE WORKING WoMEH's UNION.
A Large Meefing at Cooper Iastitute-Ad-
dresses BY General John Cochrnne, Jasaes
w. Gerard, Mayor Hoffman and others.
large meeting was held last evening at Cooper In
sSue, on the OF fourth anniversary Of
working Women's Protective Unon," OF this city.
The announcement that General John Cochrane James
w. Gerard Mayor Hoffman and others would address tho
meeting ssracted considerable number OF those
rested in the purposes Of the organization Mr. Adans
OF the Quartet Club was in attendance and interspersed
the exercises with variety Of appropriate songs Mr.
Charles p. Day presided
On the platform General John Cochrane. Judge
Daily, Peter Cooper, Joseph Beach. J. w. Gerrd and
other prominent gentlemen
CHARL DALv called the meeting to order a
O'Clock, and made few remarks saying that the
society had had practical work before it, and how far
II had succeeded would be evident from the annual
report
ANNUAL REPORT
was then read BY Jos Beach II announced the basis OF
the union foows-Firt TO secure 70 workin gwomsn
legal protection from frauds and imposiions free Of
pense second adequate wages and reasonable
hours Of labor third 70 seek spheres Of labor for
females fourth TO work for those out Of employ
ment and nfh to appeal to the public for sympathy
and support During the year hundred and thirtyons
complaints were made against employers. out Of which
nineteen cases have been prosecuted. Tho total
sum thus obtained SAL IS. NF. Blair's bill
collection Of small sums Of u,oney duo by working
women, &c, was commented . righteous enact
ment 1t alluded TO the opposition experienced in
laborng for an increase wages for working women and
reported little progress n securing the shortening OF the
hours Of labor comparative statement Of the prices
paid to working women 10 1883 and enc for the year
1S66 were read, showing that female labor much
better paid during the latter The efforts TO
new fields OF labor stated to be successful women
being now employed In the 1ner work gas fixtures
brass filing, &C. but stating that much prejudice
one fourth Of those seeking employment are found to
be obtaining It. and apathec feeling among tho pub
lie has been experienced During the past year 1917
applications were made for work. Of which 39 obtained
employment. Besides these a,2l6 women applied for
and received information advice friendly assistance
Ia letter writing &C. on matters entirely connected with
their respective branches of labor or the kinds Of work
furnshed $40 we're employed rs operators 16 engraving
folding IL al printing ac The EXPENSE Of % sussa,nns
the institution during tho past year was 81, 500
The report was unanimously adopted.
REMARKS ny MAYOR HOFFMAN,.
Mayor HOFFMAN remarked that he had stood on that
stage when some political subject discussed and
furled Tonight every seat not filled, but he
glad to such large attendance The objects of this
ons Tins world OF work. and every man or wo-
man had his or her work to do Some shrk their work,
times accomplish great results and sometimes fail But
where an earnest worker fails there Is something wrong
in the community. The old saving has Y, 'The
honest worker cannot obtain livelihood there
is something wrong in the community. (Applause)
He had read in leading and reliable paper tho other
day that there were in this great and good city,
thirty thousand working who laber from twelve
to fifteen hours per day for the miserable pance Of
thirty three cents por day This could only BE- corrected
by associated effort Capital combined, and there
no HSd harm y eSs ss legally 70 =: n
work secure proper compensation, estabsh just pc
sion between the employer and the employed and TO
thn ~ IA e~xnr No krN~ -.
70 oppsess this labor These points did not
refer 70 house srvants. who generally knew how
unfortunate objection 70 house service the part Of
american wo%su % but they did not i1ks - The name
iAushssr The most ordinary iaborers Obtained from
one TO two three dollars day; but the mother would
often labor with her needle from twelve 70 fifteen hours
employers ihe city should be among the first
tribute to the means Of this society No great work
would be well expended II thousands Of dollars coaId
pie Of the South and Of Cre,eas good work beges
another this organization ought TO be aided which only
pensation for that labor Applause
The song "God and Our Native Land" was then snns
ssuAxKs NJ g. w. uraARp
Mr. CBeAkD remarked that London was convulsed n
ono time simply BY tee sucsrinss Of = sewing woman,
known, and inquiries into the condition Of sewing
womcn there zero 81 once made leading men became
The press the Issisissars and others dong but lite ia
protective union became apparent There were thou
sands in this city who wcre struggling for bread who
sudsrngs known BY those who live in stone man
sions and marble palaces and who only the glare and
ssnowisuSs and ,uouiry into this matter The liberal
bankers and merchants OF the city had mot yet con-
trbuted to the object ~ deserved because they had
not learned the facts and the merits OF the what
could frondless girl do In the battle Of lfef She
could pow labor the field could, but her
scany Subsistence but would often bring her 70 the
grave In White street, the sest side Of Broadway,
was the headquarters OF this ipstituton and when be
asked to speak this anniversary occasion he
20 that establishment and inquired into its purpose and
the more be learned Of them, the more FIRMLY he Was
OF the best in the city. He went 10 the manufsc- |
turing establishment Of this society and impressed
and industry displayed by the working women there.
There too thousands OF females who needed work
advance the interests OF women |. had been efhcsni
too in securing tho rights Of cmsie labor where - too
often was tho case was oppressed BY employers
Where the latter had refused To pay tte cases had been
brought conrt and the honest demands OF the
men had been obtained. But few law suits, in conse
largo stores were not the ones that did Injustice 10 the
working women, but u was done by the middle men
the land -(laushier,- made the contracts
with the girls and sold the the large stores "a
pair OF summer pausaI00Us were shown The stitching
Of these he remarked the women got but twenty cents
for aud FOR shirt they got six cents for tho stitching
and the price Il ofion beaten down 70 four. Was not
a sbamef tAppIause And for pair Of drawers they
got hut eight only enough 70 buy loaf OF bread.
and they could make but three pair day twenty-four
cents Some years sgo there was song written by
Hood the humorst but II ought 10 have been nv Hood
pathetic poet II revoluonized labor In England
He rected the follows
OH with sisters dear
OH with sisters and wives.
II is linen wearing our
But human creatures lives.
Sufch. stitch, stitch
In hunger. poverty and dirt
The poor scsmsrrss with her double thread,
Sewing her shroud well b.r shirt.