The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-07-11
SECOND DAY.
EaRNINo SESSION.

July 9th, 1883.
The Convention assembled at 8 O'Clock.
President j. Fortune, in chair.
The roll was called, after Committee on
Credentials had reported favorably upon
Mr.. Stout, delegate from Cincinnati.
The minutes VI the previous day were read
and approved.
Petition from Detroit presented and re-
ferred to Committee on Constitution and
By-lews.
% motion, the case Of Mr.. Brown from
the Nm York Union, for working under
wages, and entering the Cincinnati Union.
was referred to the New York and Clncin-
nati Unions.
On motion the following resolution was
adopted:
Resolved, That in the opinion of the various
Unions represented 10 this Convention, lather's
cards are not transferable without the word
'isther" is written upon them, and then to be
received only at the option OF the society TO
whom ne may apply
On motion, il was referred back to the
committee, and the committee increased to
i've; Messrs. Walsh and Stout we're added.
Or motion, the Convention adjourned IN
til 2 O'Clock, r. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention assembled at 2 o'clock,
P. NJ, President j Fortune, in the chair.
Mr.. Mclean, chairman Of the Committee
on the state Of the trade, then reported the
following:
The reports Of the various delegates to
the National Convection having been Care
fully scanned their cont ents examined I'D
analysed by your committee, they would
most respectfully beg to submit the follow
ing
REPORT.
That, notwithstanding the brief period tha
has elapsed since we first organized as q nation
al body, the difficulties to be encountered. in
cot only educating the elements composing the
local and general bodies to a more efficient and
just conception Of the rights Of laoor-to them
selves as well as to their employers-are Justly
and honorably tending, at each successive meet
ing, towards our legitimate condition Our EN-
ployers begin to perceive where their true in
terests lay. The capitalists no longer attribute
TO themselves the exclusive right TO direct and
control the mental and physical powers Of the
wealth producing classes; but that We are, BY
the facilities which a higher rate of wages
creates, enabled to afford comforts and conven-
fences to those depending upon MS. Our educa-
ton is thereby benefited; and that that com
munty, which fosters and encourages higher
rate OF remuneration for LABOR will build In
their midst structure in advanced civilization
such as the world has not vet seen. The edu-
cation afforded to the rising generation will ex-
pand their mate powers of mind the result
will be-advance in the chemical, mechanical.
agricultural, and all other branches of industry,
and thus shall that nation adopting 1t become
richer, because modern appliances and inven-
tions-the cfsprings OF intellgence-will ele-
vate them far above those communities where
such opportunities are denied.
1t must likewise be apparent, and q source
Of eradication to the philan shropist, to know
that since the hours of labor have decreased,
that, instead Of increasing the catalogue OF
those Who unfortunately were addicted to in
ebriety, their numbers have decreased twenty
five per cent. and that this is low estimate,
can be fully proven to tie most sceptical.
What has produced this marked change. In
most trades tue physical powers become over
taxed by protracted hours, and the workman,
to and from his place of employment 10 but
too apt to adopt the most himsy excuse and the
most deceptive argument, and to drink the
most baneful drugs, and thus drsg down to
misery and degradation himself and all depend
ant on him. The capitalist says give eight
hours TO the workingman and he will devote q
great deal of bis spare time to the dram Scoops
the reverse has been proven Since 1858,
when trades organic tons began in this coun.
try, our own special calling was characterized
by drunkenness; and taking the plasterers Of
New York city as basis, no data to reason
from-whose numerical strength is greater than
any other city in the Union-and wherein the
facilities to indulge in this pernicious custom il
the easiest, IL is irrefragable that the per cent
age is underestimated.
Again, let the economist calculate the i'm
mense loss to the nation in time misspent, far
greater, and Of infinitely more value, than Ii
contained in this extra two hours cavilled at o.
much by those approving this movement. Let
him consider that ultimately to himself and
the nation will accrue benefits far more meal
culable than is enshrined in this sanctum If the
capitalist If the human body is over taxed
and we are, or at least we ought to be, the
best judges. How is the mind Does il NOT
sink in corresponding ratio aud If 50 now i.
IL capable to study the hidden fields of chemis
try now in its infancy, how invent new motive
power to facilitate labor; how solve abstract
questions in science; how grapple with the hid
den mysteries OF nature and develope them
what but the iron frame Of Hugh Miller could
Withstand so long even, the pressure of long
hours Of labor, and the extra hours to think
stolen from his hours Of rest, until at last he
sank the victim Of an oyertaxed brain. The
world lost one Of her brightest ornaments, and
tie arts and sciences favorite genius Adopt
the eight hour Law, give the intelligent artisan
time to contemplate and study, apart from
what Is necessary to conduct his daily Avocs-
tons, inventions will multiply, trade increase,
commerce spread itself on every sea, and the
fRna NJ q hak~x al - Il
will be filed to repletion, her inhabitants happy
authenticated, free from those unhappy broils
and contentious which distract other lands, and
America, the centre of civilization in no other
respects, become the pioneer not only by adopt
ing it in the governments works. but in every
private establishment in the land
Your Committee would further advise the
agitation Of all those movements having the ten
dency to elevate our condition, avoiding strikes
when consistent with honor, interest, and oul
Just rights, honorable In nos invading what car
be proven 70 be the inalienable rights Of others
Interest, the abolition of those reica Of the darh
ages, nisconception by the capitalists Of meum
and teum--our jass rights, . fair remuneration
for labor, more equal division Of the surplus
gains OF labor, shorter hours 70 perform that o.
Dor 10, we being the best judges how far ouI
powers Of endurance will extend without i'm
pairing the machinery 70 such . degree that Il
will cease 10 act premsturely by ovefpressure,
more than by natural decay.
Your Committee would further recommend
that when . difference exists, to adopt all hon
orable means 20 adjust by compromise, wher
consistent, all minor differences, the usages
which oppress have been the growth Of ages o.
misruls the invasion of such citadel perempt
oriy win be resisted because there dwells there
IN an interruptions party, the offspring of they
who knock, led 70 consider all that 10 contained
there 10 theirs, and it 10 the peculiar provinces
of the party holding possession to dictate tbs
terms upon which any repairs required on thu
premises shall be executed
Your Committee In view likewise or some %.
cieties not being altogether united, would ad
wise those local otganisatiops where complet4
unity Of action doss mot exist, % adopt come
measures By which 70 reconcile thoss non union
men IN their midst, 70 become nembers. bI
granting, perhAps, general amnesty. Such
oftentimes bnries the Ratchet and sersngshsnl
The society, and BY treating such mshben sfter
49, es&& - -