The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-04-04
FROM PsNaSYlVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA, March 80, II

h8Fs ~NH NNtHH
PHILADELPHIA, March 30, 1868.
To the gditor Of tbs wosxISGxAS's Advocate.
10 assuming the duties Of Philadelphia
correspondent for the organ Of Labor Re-
form in The northwest, | desire to eater an
apology which shall Suffice for any and all
shortcomings. Not having been reared in
the lap Of luxury" not having been ushered
into a wicked world with a silver ladle in
very dangerous proximity to my 'crunch.
ers," | am Of necessity compelled to rely
upon my hands, with such help as car get
from the moderate quantity Of Wit Dame
Nature allowed me, to supply the demands
Of the stomach.
End it exceedingly difficult, under the
present regime, to supply more than the de-
masds Of material for the operation Of the
gastric fluid, without its consuming very
nearly ali the hours out Of The twenty-four,
not actually required for rest, so that my
time 10 search Of truth for dissemination
among the sensible,mecbanics, through the
columns Of the ADVOCATE, will be necessar-
ily limited. Speaking of sensible mechan-
ics, the greatest proof VI the deserved pos
session Of that title, is in our humble opin-
ion, given when the name Of the party il
shown as paid up "sub.' on the list OF
some one of our papers, conducted in the
interest Of the producer.
The apathy of the Philadelphia mechan-
les in general, is subject that has become
very nearly worn out by constant handling,
and the effects Of slch handling | think,
cannot but make themselves evident at an
early day. Already the plasterers are put
ting forward a good foot. They had been
gradually falling of in numbers, until the
greatest friends Of the union were beginning
to fear the consequence s, and they imme-
diately resolved TO be Up and doing. Union
men are now r5ceiVing.four dollars per day,
while those outside it, bounds are satisfied
Ito their. disgrace be it said) with wages aver
aging from 50, so to $3.50 Those who have
the interest Il the union at heart, and con-
sequently the interest az every member in
the trade, are strenuously working to induce
every piasterer to become a member Of their
union. Their efforts are deserving Of sue
cess may it be theirs unlimited. Those
outside Of the union, understand, however,
who are avercc to connecting themselves
with it, are working with unusual unanimity
for a uniform scale of prices they DO not
at present contemplate asking an increase.
The ingram carpet weavers had their wa
ges reduced last fall They are now holding
nightly meetings with view TO having them
returned to the old standard. | understand
they at one time they had union, but that
notorious Philadelphia apathy has been the
cause Of its being at present numbered
among the things that have been but are
not
The stove molders are now chewing the
bitter cud Of repentance. When bust
ness was brisk and money plenty, they ne
elected to make provision for the 'rainy
day." and they have now been compelled to
accept reduction. Had they properly sus-
tanned union, we might have looked for
better things.
President Sylvis has placed the mrloying
molders of this city in mortal dread of seq
operation" ky the success that has attended
bis operations, and those united by his
words and example, in that line. That alone
believe, is the reason why they have not
attempted a reduction before this.
| drop ir occasionally upon the invinci-
bic little president, and in nearly every in
stance find him deeply immersed In pa
pers relating to the adoption Of that princi-
Die which be considers the laborers high
road TO emancipation.
Our tailors are on strike, and, | under
stand, are receiving aid from their brothers
In other cities. A day or two ago they an
nounced the receipt Of two hundred dollars
from New York. They should make cc.ope-
ration their panacea, as it costs 80 little to
stock tsIlor's shop, in comparison to what
Is required in other trades.
The printers, too, are agitating the sub !
ject of co operation. Their plan is, to sell |
one thousand shares Of stock, at $50. 90 DER I
share, payable in instalments of one dollar |
per weeS on each shsre. The editor Of the |
= Printers Circular is s'satisfied the plan |
will rove impracticable." He seems 70 |
.hi.lk the body should be more compact TO
expect success. Let this be as Il
may, the object in view is a landable one.
Ind should be pursued with energy. Thew
we're probably actuated By the published sue.
,ess Of the Chicago typos.
For some time past our street, cars have
,een carrying on matters after q rather high
handed fashion, but the supreme court Of
'ur State has put deciGtd foot upon some
# their aspirations. One of the companies
efused to pay the license required BY Law,
md was backed up in the refusal by board
Of the presidents of all the ccm-
anies, their object being to test the matter /
q the supreme court, who, having In view
be outraged feelings Of an over-ridden peo- /
le, decided the case in manner that must /
ave made it indeed bitter draft for the I
Board Of Presidents" to swallow. They 4
ecids that the city Of Philadelphia has I