The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-16
FROM pEHNsYLvAHIA.
PHILADELPHIA, May IL, 1868

FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA, May IL, 1868.
10 the Editor Of the wosErsoxAxs ADVOCATE.
Never since the labor movement com
menced to engage any portion Of my atten-
ton has there existed 81 great dearth Of
items likely to prove interesting to your rea-
ders. The interest manifested ia the i'm
parchment seems to have absorbed every
thing outside, and mems tongues cannot be
made to wag upon any other subject no
more than are their ears content to listen to
any other. At every street corner, at a.
most every lamp post and tree-box, 10 all the
bar-rooms and other public places, knots Of
men are engaged in m evidently earnest
discussion as to the merits OF the case One
man expresses Liiaself as anxious for convic-
tion, another as Just as DESTROYS that A. J
may continue in the house sat the other end
Of the avenue" and but few seem 10 view the
question in its proper light OF what avail
is it to the man Of toll whether, in this des-
perate struggle to obtain possession OF the
reins Of government, the house Of represen-
tatives, or at least the ruling faction in that
body, are successful Or what does the
producer, the farmer or the mechanic, expect
to gain should the president and bis friends
succeed 10 repulsing the assaults Of the rad
icals9 The claims Of labor to a more equi.
table administration Of the laws, or their
demands for the enactment or statutes which
shall not favor a monied aristocracy, will
still be, as they have ever heretofore been,
completely ignored, I'D aside as matters Of
too trivial q character o. demand the atten-
tion Of the ssvants who dish up our legisla-
ton, when the power, patronage and emolu-
ments Of the public Offices are at stake.
Measures are daily inaugurated and pushed
with an energy worthy Of better cause,
the tendency OF which il to increase rather
than diminish the load Of taxation under
which the over-worked under-paid laborer
is struggling. Unlike in the good old days
OF the past, party success is not a victory
for principle. The whole political world has
become vast concourse for runners Ia
race for power. The poor man who has to
bear all, is not considered worthy thought
Measures calculated to benefit him are not
given the slightest attention. Money will
purchase nine tenths Of our public men and
politics is to-day one large mass Of reeking
corruption. All the honorable deeds Of all
the honorable q senators and representa-
tives contributing to the present turmoil at
our national capital might be recorded in a
plain hand on space no larger than the
face ola gold dollar. Workingmen while
they acknowledge the truth of what have
said, persistently continue TO deposit their
ballots for men who have grown equity at the
public crib. Apart from the self selling
propensities OF our government politicians
there are but few, educationally cspaciated
to conduct the affairs Of the country. They
entertain ideas much better suited to the
times century since, and they cling with a
"death grip" to these chrome ideas, and
stuff their ears to the complaints Of suffer
ing constituencies, who, while they complain
OF the course pursued and measures adopted,
take no steps looking to q remedy. Work
ingmen would do much better for themselves
to talk and think less OF these grand politi-
cal eoup-de-etafs and turn the time thus oc-
cupied to the looking up Of new men suited
TO the times, who will, at least, give an oc-
casional thought to the welfare or the peo-
pie.
TUE CARPENTERS AND JoEsRRs
having experienced Daach difficulty in induc-
ing many backward members to connect
themselves with the Union, last week took
the initiatory step towards the organisation
OF reading association. and TO take mea-
sures looking 70 the erection OF q reading
room and Installation OF q library. Ad-
dresses were made by several gentlemen ia
voring the movement and the meeting ad-
jonrned, feeling confident or being able al
an early day to accomplish their object.
THE Stove AND HoLLow-wARx xoLDERs
held meeting Saturday evening for the pur-
pose OF organizing q cooperative associa-
ton. They have not AZ Jet decided how
they intend 70 raise the stock, but it is sup
posed 1t viii be paid in monthly instalments
Of $40 dollars each, $25 to be paid in cash
Immediately upon becoming member of the
association.
j THE UNIONS
throughout the city, with one or two excep-
tons, are allowing their affairs to lag fear
fully. Now that trade is picking up and the
demand for mechanics equals the supply,
they seem to become imbued with a serene
contentment that pictures the Union to them
as something useful only when the day Of
adversely comes.
II WILLTAM u. MANN.
Several OF our city dailies are just nov
engaged in crusade against this worthy
who occupies the position, at present, d
district attorney. The "name or fame' q
VIM: b. Mann extends from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. lie is charged with all sorts Of
crimes and misdemeanors, not the least 81
which IL that Of defeating the Republican
party at the election last fall. =
w. b. M. IL charged with having neglected
to bring 70 the bar OF justice criminals q
various dyes, and also of having, in commune.
tion with some Of our Judicial potentat,s
aided, unlswfully, in the remission Of sen
tences and otherwise tanpsring with juries'
decisions. @. Ben. J.