The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-04-11
CORRESPONDENTS.
FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA, April Q, I6b

hall drunk, an Engllshmln when ne mas MS
belly full, and don't know what impeling
power is most effective in stirring the Ameri-
can to "mortal combat" | should now very
much like to know when > carpenter fights !
best, or at least when or how he can be
awakened to a sense Of his duty to himself |
and family. Men Of that trade are to-day I
working for wages which are not only in |
sufficient pay for The work performed oy
them, but their tame acquesenee with any
demands or exaotions the whim Of .hcr over
riding employ ers may iniuce them to
make, is &C ting detrimentally to the interests
Of those trades which are earnestly work
ing for betterance Of their condition. 1t
is the duty Of the American mechanic, let
him be native or naturalized, to demand "a
fair days compensation, for a fair days
work" 1t is bounden duty he owes to
himself, to his family, and to his brother
tolers Strikes are to be deprecated, but
ia their case Of a demand made or confer
ence had, shonld1ail to produce the desired
result, united and determined strike, a re
fusal to work until their just demands were
fully compiled with, would be not only allow
able but would only excite the heartfelt
sympathy Of all whose voices are now the
most potent in discouraging open warfare
between employer and employed. Their
union in this city is composed Of few ar
dent friends Of reform who have heart and
soul in the great work before them, but they
are SO few ia numbers that unfortunately
their influence fails to prove effective. Let
us hope that at no distant dav they may all
be found unanimously cooperating in the
devlsng and execution Of measures that Will
forever take from their employers the power
they now hold, an d that will prevent the
possibility Of their posterity becoming pau
perized.
The Ingram carpet weavers are still dis
playing a good healthful activity. A COM
mittee appointed at a meeting of their trade,
held the fore part Of last week, had con
ference on Friday hight, and from their pro-
ceedings we think they are resolved to force
a compliance. Last fall they were getting
| from nineteen to twenty-one cents per yard
| FOR their work while the ward was computed
at So inches When trade slackened during
the winter they were reduced from three to
six cents upon the yard and the width Of
| the thumb counted against them ia the
measurement Of each yard. This may Sc EN-
a small matter to bubble over, but am as
sured that this mode Of measurement makes
| in the piece difference Of from three to five
Yards, which, in the aggregate, is quite an
| item. There are two thousand looms in the
| city, twelve hundred of which are reported
| by the committee as idle. They seem to be
| hopeful oil success.
| The plasterers are still actively engaged
in their good work, aud are showing an ex-
ample worthy the emulation of the lethargic
/ carpenters. They report that additions to
! the roll are secured at each meeting. Public
meetings Of this kind are usually the most
(, effective in rebuilding a Union which, du-
ring depression in business has been al
| lowed to dwindle in membership. The
expenses are usually cancelled by subscrip-
| ton SO that what is most required is the
time and energy of the managing heads, a
good sprinkiing of which willing to do, may
nearly always be found IN organizations 10
| that condition.
The garment cutters held quite large
| meeting on the evening of the %, their OBJ
| iect being a reconstruction of their Union
or Protective Assoc cation" as | believe
| they styled it, which met with its death some
| time since. A committee was appointed at
me meeting authorized to secure employ
ment, if possible, for such of their trade as
are in need Of it. They meet again during
the week.
The taiors, or al least one shop, working
eight men, were still out at last advices, i. q
tue latter part Of last week. One large
shor Of shoemakers are also out, whether it
is for an advance or against reduction,
am unable to say. Public meetings of both
these trades have been called for at an early
day.
Several cooperative movements are on
foot in this city upon the details Of which
shall post myself, and give your readers an
account in future letter.
The building trades have not been 80 brisk
during the Marsh just passed as they were
during the same month Of last year, there
having been but $50 permits issued for build
ing purposes during the month, against 514
in the corresponding month Of 1867. This
is partly, il not entirely owing to the
weather, which, up to the few days past
has been unfavorable for outside work of
any kind. If am to judge by the tone of
our merchants and other monied men, the
number OF houses in the city will increase
this season more than it has ever heretofore
done. Other trades are opening slowly.
II rapidIty in legislation be a desideratum.
the gratitude Of the citizens OF our State
well up in response to feat recently per.
formed by the august body which centre the
destinies Of the Keystone, at Harrisburg.
The associated press report Of the proceed
ings Of our State Legislature one day during
the early part Of last week contained a para
graph to the effect that one of the Houses
had acted upon 500 bills in one day, be- |
ing at the rate of one every minute and |
half. That il what call pretty quick work,
and as | have seen no contradiction Of the |
report take it for granted that no attempt |
las been made TO laurel the representatives /
Of our interests ~ undeservedly. believe
these bills were all all from the private cal |
endar, but in that fact can find 40 reason
FOR such undue haste.
THIS manner Of acting accounts for the
made by some Of the members of
,ur lest legislature, that bills were passed
wen the title Of which they had never heard.
4 il 10 necessary that our Legislative bodies
should pass Judgment upon 90 n.any bills,
which take the liberty Of doubling, their
constituents would respectfully inform them
hat they wc1ld much rather pay them for
ong-r continuance in session and have them
lissect all these private bills, culling out all
uch ss promise 70 interiors with just and
quitsble execution Of the laws, and passing
My such ~ win mot increase the burden Of (
n already over-taxed people. What the ,
eople want 10 Legislation for the benefit Of /.
be people and not for parties or mSnied
or monopoliEing companies of I
Nv kind. Snsaa feH Heekas9inna tina laRia- 4 1