The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-17
LABoRERs, UNION BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

meeting Of the six divisions OF the Laborers' Union
Benevolent Society called for last evening at the
Nineteenth Ward Hail. in Fifty-third street, near
Lexington avenue. There was only small attend
ance Mr.. Patrick WEIGH was chosen to preside.
On calling the meeting to order the Chairman
stated that the meeting had been called for the spe-
cial purpose of arranging for sending delegates to
the forthcoming Labor Congress. 1t was probable
that the congress might continue in session two
weeks 30 that whoever was appointed dele
gates would have to lose their time from
their work. None Of their members could afford
to lose this time, and the intention that the
delegates would be paid for their time. The ques
ton was whether they should send one delegate
from each division or one as representing all OF
them.
Mr. JAMES FARRELL suggested that they had I'm
their legitimate eXpenses-ourial OF deceased men,
bers and care OF the sick-pretty heavy expenses,
and that they ought to make the expenses as light
Mr. MARTIN GOOD said that re had understood
that the societies sending delegates would pay the
expenses OF their respective delegates. He believed
that 1t would cost only about ten dollars for each
society.
Mr.. CONNOLLY urged that az the President OF the
meeting had been appointed delegate to The Con-
gress from the First division that it would accom-
plish all that was necessary to empower him TO act
s the representative OF this society in that body lie
made motion to this effect.
The CHAIRMAN explained that in appointing him
delegate from the First division the supposition was
that each division would select delegate.
The motion OF Mr.. Connolly was put and carried.
II was stated by the Chairman that the trial in the
brcklayers' case exciting the general attention
OF the working men throughout the country. He
had no doubt that measures would be taken
through the State Legislature ana Congress
to have effaCed from the statute books The
| laws hostile to the interess7 OF workingmen. lie
| was under the impression thai this was a fire.,
| country but IL seemed that laboring could not
arrange their own hours Of labor. II was fact that
| the workingmen were ms much slaves AZ ever were
The negroes ut the South. lie supposed that this
subject wonld come up In the Laborers' Congress
and 1t might be necessary TO instruct their delegate.
Mr. FARRELL moved that as members of the
LabOrers Union Benevolent Society, they pledge
themselves at the coming election to support only
those candidates in favor OF the Eight Hour law.
member wished to know what Office seeker was
not heart and hand professionally IN favor OF the
working people. Let them get Office and then they
turn their backs on wOrkingmen.
Another member said he should vote the dem
Ocratic ticket on principle No amount of profes.
| sions from republicans would weigh feather with
| him.
BY a third member II was urged that they had bet
ter drop politics altogether and only consider their
interests az workngncn.
Stl another member said that when he was presi-
dent OF one OF their divisions he approached by
politicians and urged to try and carry his division
for certain candidates. lie had always refused to
do II and always would lie approved OF letting
| every man decide upon his candidates.
After further remarks the motion of Mr.. Farrell
was pu, and carried with only one dissenting vote.
The meeting now resolved into private session.