The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-23


greatest struggles for power that has ever
taken place in this coanssy, yet the working
IN en-, numbering over 100000 in this great
city, are doing nothing. They bold the bal.
snce Of power, AID yet they make mo use o.
it. In the meantime Congress treats than
with contempt. The Eight Hour bill hangs
fire in the Senate, whilst the two great par
ties-Republicans and Democrats are tight
Jag to know who Is to have the spells for
the next four years. But not a word about
relieving the over-tasked toIler from the
grasp OF capital. Were the working men
wise, tney would at once excIaim, "a plague
Of both your parties; ! have trusted you
long enough mean nov to take this bust
ness in hand myself, aud pass what laws
are necessary for the welfare and happiness
Of the ..Orking man and what is more,
when they are passed 1, mean 70 have them
put In force, 80 that justice may prevail
throughout the land"
/ That very ill-paid and over worked class
u nen, the journeymen bakers. have al last
taken some decided steps 10 aIDelIorate their
condition. On Saturday evening last they
turned out ia great numbers. al parad ed
through the streets OF New York, then went
went ogs. 70 Brooklyn TO bold q mass meet
ing called by the Brooklyn men. Int
Brooklyn men also turned out very strong
and met the New Workers at the ferry, whel
they ali marched in q body 10 the large la.
over ne post office, which was 50 mucl
crowded that standing room could not d
had, many being unable to obtain entrance
There was one notable feature about To-
procession they were frea lently cheere'
on the route, which proves c0nciuslVely tha
the have they sympathy Of the public, an
that il they will only perseVere in tn
course they have marked out, their condition
! viii soon be altered but they must DO
think this can be done without great dea
, Of labor. Capital yields nothing voluntarily
: but holds on TO what it calls its rights,
4 with all the tenacity with which mise
/: clutches his gold, at the point Of death; there
( fore they must g0 to work-then succes
is certain. There were some exeelen
speeches made, for which | know you hav
r 10 room. IL seems that these men wor
i eighteen hours day, and the wages Of som
a Of them are as low as 81 per week, and nav,
!, 10 addition, 10 sleep 10 those damp an
ni-veutiiated under ground cellars. Som
g OF The Cases Of hardship cited by the speak
It ers we're horrible 10 the extreme, and an
- INV Wo1AN enhbA ~ AatRpSStOtC bh@e oh~
A deylltrY could be prActlced on men. Slavery
as il existed IN tue SOuGh, Is a life to be eI
: Wed by thu poor baker, but Of course nothin
e could be done; their union was almost Pow
o erless Tor the want Of support, ami as a cor
! sequence, they are to-day ~ a truly wolf
cOndition. Tae fault was all their own,
Is the case in many other trades. Tho,
D who belong TO good unions get the best pa
n and work the least hours, and 50 it will
- with the bakers when their union IL str0n
enough " give them prOtectiOn-al thee
e long hours and low wages will b. sweI
4 away.
!, The meeting was a very harmonious on
r and no doubt will accomplish great deal {
good for them. II the demand for tweiy
: hours day = not conceded, a strike Is con
r templAted, bot IN my humble judgment, tue
It wound now De too hAsty, to 60 into strike
] better keep on anything for a short tim
longer, 10 get the public sentiment with then
anu then they may come out all right.
It There are several other matters | wishe
e to glance al, but must defer them till IN
}. next. MECHANIC.