The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-26
THE NATIONAL LABOR CONGRESS.

F1th Days Scsstou-Miss Susan b. Anth0ny's
Opinion Of the Tive Great Political PARTIES
The Policy Of Strikes Dlscussed-WOman
Suffrage Ignored.
The National Labor Congress met at the appointed
hour, nine A. N. yesterday, Mr. Sylvs occupying the
chair as President There was q full attendance Of
delegates. IL was generally expected that the pro-
ceedings would be brought to close by five O'Clock
In the afternoon. but such long series OF resolutions
came pouring In Immediately prior to that time that
it was deemed advisable to afford more general sat
isfactlon tn holding another session to-day. The
platform was the first subject Of discussion.
Mr.. HEATING moved that the part in the platform
referring to strikes be stricken out. He contended
that the wise and c0nciliatory policy which a ma
tional labor congress should aim at giving express
sion to would be better served by avoiding alluslon
to strikes
Miss SUSAN B. ANTHONY thought that portion Of the
platform should not be stricken out. She held that
IL was essential to the integrity and OF all
labor organizations that this great weapon OF strikes
should be prominently put forward, that capitalists
and aristOcrats might be always able TO under
stand that the workingmen had a sure means
OF securing their rights. The Chicago plat
form, she held, was dictated by the gold
A. I. Stewart Co., WHILE ON the other hand,
the democratic party were led and driven by
DtlulUht ~ w. Inc Two pdTLlcS uclu Tile WOTkliR-
men IN bondage. She had been in all sorts OF con-
ventions for twenty years. but the moment the idea
was oroacned about cutting loose from political
politics: but did they know that the real enthral
ment or labor proceeded from the blind, unquestion-
Ing faith and adherence with which the wOrklngmen
persisted in following the fortunes OF the two great
corrupt political parties OF the country
Mr. IREvIILAoK said while he agreed with good
deal that had dropped from the lips OF the noble
lady who had just taken her seat he commended that
strikes, independent altogether OF politics, were a
nn11 n1nn Cnfn linn lnhn Ia
demanded tile right to strike. for 1t Is the great
shield OF the workingman and should never be sur
rendered He did not want To encourage strikes;
he would recommend q resort to all reasonable
means before recurring TO this way OF enforcing the
demands of the workngmen; but when their rights
were dsregarded he held 1t was grand and heaven
born means Of defence and assertion.
The original motion was then put and carried.
Mrs. MCDONALD took an opportunity, just then, OF
saying that If she thought that section OF the plat
form interfered with the strike OF the brickayers
she would have opposed It's being introduced into
the platform, which she could have DONE She
wanted to tell these men that II they wanted her aid
she would give 1t to them, even II she had to stand
on the platform OF street car and drive pair of
horses. She could drive team or q tandem abreast
OF any man.
Mr.. FINoHER moved to strike out the section re-
lating to financial matters.
After some debate it was further moved that it be
referred to special committee with instructions to
latter motion on the table adopted The ques-
ton OF striking out the paragraph in the platform
expressing the idea Of promoting a system OF co.
treasury notes made legal tender in the payment
OF all debts public and private and convertible at
bearing just rate OF interest sufficient to the rate
Of increase In the national wealth by natural pro-
ducon. as TO make an equitable distribution of the
products OF labor between non-prOducing capital
and labor reserving TO Congress to alter the same,
when IN their Judgment the public interest would be
promoted thereby, was then discussed
Mr.. FNonER took strong grounds against
the idea which has been 50 industriously
circulated that the present debt is held
lie held that the workingmen had very little interest
In the government bonds Even the business men OF
the country held comparatively triiing portion OF
the bonds. They could not afford to keep this gov
eminent paper lying idle on their hands, and the
result was small number OF spectators and capt.
talists were engaged at this time trading on the
national debt and absorbing it entirely among them
selves.
Several delegates participated in the debate on the
financial question: developing In turn odd theories
for the management Of the debt and the circulation
OF the currency. Mr.. Fincher came to the conclu-
sion that very few among the delegates knew any.
thing OF the true theory OF finance.
Mr.. BArTORY announced that he was twenty-five
years ahead OF the Congress IN his notions on the
plenty Of " they might by course of contraction
same time they might leave the man who wanted the
COW without the penny to buy it.
m, MT. MASuIsE suggested that the Congress give
Congress whom they help to elect shall stand upon
their platform in regard to labor and finance He
good man to represent the labOring classes.
Mr.. LIE BOURNEs offered substitute for the Sec
be issued in such proper proportion to the whole
property OF the country as will furnish currency
which shall be adequate the business OF the coui
try and sufficiently abundant to reduce interest to
q nominal rate"
Twelve O'Clock having now arrived the Congress
adjourned till two O'Clock in the afternoon.
Afternoon Session.
The Congress resumed Its deliberations precisely
at two O'Clock, about onehalf the delegates being
present. Mr. CAvIs submitted a resolution, which
was adopted, that the representatives of each inter-
national, national and State organization In the
National Labor Congress be assessed In the sum of
fifteen dollars, and the delegates OF local unions In
the sum Of ten dollars to deray the expenses Of the
Congress.
The PRESIDENT then announced the subject which
had occupied the attention OF the delegates in the
forenoon session AS being the pending order OF de-
bate.
Mr.. PuErr took the moor and argued that the
policy OF the bOndhoders and bankers was inmical
to the interests Of labor Six per cent interest was
being nomlnally paid on the national debt but the
actual interest amounted TO twelve per cent. He
contended that bondhoders, as well as all others,
distinctions made, and that labor Is compelled
to bear all the burdens System OF government will
eventually be inaugurated here after the fashion OF
European mpnarches
Mr.. CAMERON spoke few words on the same side,
and paid high compliment TO General Samuel +.
Carey for his services In the cause OF labor.
Mr. BATORY advanced an argument that property
and not men should be taxed IN place OF the system
which prevailed OF giving interest to capital and tax
now making sixteen per cent, and 1t was this system
Of usury and not the national debt that felt by
the country. Every man interested in banking
called for contraction. The secretary OF the Treasury
who was In favor OF the banks. urged contraction
sion from any degree Of expansion in the currency.
Mr.. TREvILLACK, In answer to the question OF one
Of the delegates as to how exchanges with foreign
countries would he managed in case paper cur
rency was MADE q permanent institution in this
country said that II the legal tenders had been made
a bona tde currency, and not mere promises to pay,
N