The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-03-07
Was. Meerlng or RlckIarer..

mass meeting OF the bricklayers Of Chicago,
was held at the Trades Assembly room, l55
South Clark street. On motion Mr.. r. J. o.
Council was elected president and c. H. Hazel
ton secretary.
Owing to the absence of the speakers an.
nOunced, the chairman called on Mr.. Deshler,
OF the German Association, who responded in a
few stirring aud interesting remarks
Mr. ArEISsON, vice-president Of the Bricklay-
ers Onion, next addressed the meeting, and re-
ferred 10 he god feeling which should exist
between the employers and employed and said
there should be no line drawn between them, as
their interests we're one and that one of the
primary objects Of trades unions was the practi-
cal acknowledgment of that principle
Ma. c. II. HAzLEroS was then GALES on. He
stated that she meeting was convened for the
purpose Of letting the bricklayers OF Chicago
know the steps which were baing taken 10 food
the city with surplus labor While all IN the
room knew that many were out of employment,
and were unable to support their wives aud fam
lies, the employers were representing that a
scarcity OF labor existed in their branch Of bust
ness aud we're doing their utmost to draw men
from she eastern cities TO make beggars OF those
who we're now in Chicago. While the employ
ers object 70 the operations Of the BrickIayers
Union, they show their inconsistency by forming
themselves into an association, having for its
objects the cutting down Of wages TO a nominal
sum But he thOught, and his fellow craftsmen
thought, that the Journeymea needed protection
more than the employers, and would have il At
any price. He concluded with an urgent ap
peal for every bricklayer TO come forward and
join the union.
Ms r. H MAssIE was the next speaker, and
made SOME very interesting remarks upon tie
duty Of workingmen to connect themselves With
their several labor organizations. He though
trades unions were benefit TO all because they
regulated the apprenticeship system, aud tended
TO turn out first class workmen, as they pre-
vented boys from clearing out and going 70
work as journeYmen before they had mastered
their business, because where unions we're Is
tsblished such apologists FOR workmen could not
be received He urged upon those present he
incumbent duty Of helping their brethren and
strengthening their hands
Ne 4 G. CAxERoS, Of the woSKIsG4AS's
ADVOCATE, Was then introduced lie stakgd that
he was thereby invitation Of the committee.
and apologized for not being on hand Al the ar
pointed time. He said he felt somewhat at =
loss for any argument to induce workingmen to
OBEY an imperative duty--tn connect the mselves
with a trades union. lie had no faiLh il any
thing but moral suasion, and did not believe in
elevating workingmen on the same principle the
brazen serpent was elevated-whetber thew
would or no Bat as there might be those pre-
sent wso, through ignorance Or principle, we're
opposed to their operations, he proposed to dis
cuss the question with them. No re-
Spouse being given, he suggested an opportu-
nity be offered 60 all those who desired to pre-
sent their applications for membership to come
forward and do so.
After fifteen names had been presented Mr..
G. continued bis remarks at considerable length
insisting that trades unions had been the graul
educators Of the industrial classes, both IN the
old and new woridst asked those present WHO
refused tojoin union because they got as much
as union men, how bong they would contin-e to
do 50 were there no organization in existence,
and whether they we're not acting cowardy part
By stealing from others what they we're afraid to
obtaia for themselves. IA conclusion, he stated
that the cardinal principles of a trades union
we're fatt days wages for fair days york,
and an equal voice with the employee in deter
mining the rate Of compensation, defence not
not Defiance" was their motto, and as they had
been the creation Of necessity, no honorable me
ehsnic should be found outside their ranks.
On motion Mesrr4 Cameron. Atkinson aud
shngluf were appointed committee to draw
up resolutions exp -ssive of the sense Of the.
Meeting on the attempt Of employers to swamp
the city With bricklayers. The report read as
foll0ss:
WHEREAs. A number Of employing brickiay-
ers of Chicago iRdustriousy circulating the
report that ssrcity Of labor 10 this branch Of
trade exists, FIR the purpose Of inducing bricA
layers TO com; TO this city and thereby reduce
our wages to starvation rates therefore, be il
Resolved That the corresponding secretary
Be isstrir ed TO inform The president Of ths.
Bricklayers National Union that all such state.
ments are uutoanded 10 fact and circulated for
the purpose of compelling those ia the city 20
accept such terms as they, the employers, NAV
see it to dictate; as there i already a surplus ia
this branch OF business.
Resolved. Tact he be requested 70 ecmmuni-
cate these facts TO the several subordinate
unions throughout the country
On motion the resolutions were un snimouslv
adopted After vote Of thanks had beer ten
dersd 70 Asssrs- Masae and Cameron the meet
ing adjourned.
...---. q II u .rr nr.,u. G..