The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-13

bad laws, aud there 10 no way 70 reach che mat |
ter and effect q cure but by . repeal Of those |
laws. and this can only be done through politac-
al action You must excuse me for occupying |
90 much Of your tame on this point its very
great importance must be my excuse.
The next matter TO which desire to call your
attention ID the necessity Of an official table |
proposed BY some official and responsible body, |
showing the rate Of wages paid previous to 1851 |
The table should embrace the rate OF wages Of
all kinds OF labor, skilled and unskilled and the
prices tor the most prominent articles " con |
sumption. such On rent, clothing. -four. coal, |
pork, beef. mutton, butter, lard, &c, and il |
should embrace as wide q range as possible |
IL should also give the wages paid nov for the
same kind Of labor, and the prices now Of the
same articles Of consumption The object Of
such table being to show the percentage Of Ad-
vance in wages and cost Of living now ov -r 1851
Such table would be exceedingly valuable TO
all wOrkingmen. and | hope you will see the
necessity Of appointing committee to prepare
such a table. Il should be carefully prepared,
and then kept standing at the head II the labor
papers In the country, and alterations and ad-
ditions made to it from time to time a. would
become necessary. reform in the prison la
Dor system in your state, and the enactment of
good sound apprentice Law, are matters of very
great importance, and will of course, receive
your careful attention. The eighthour question
il one that will come prominently before YOU.
| will say here what have often said before.
that consider the eight-hour law, as il stands
upon the books Of your state, is an insult 70
every man in the state. We're | member of
your body, would favor repadiaLion of it,
and fling il back into the the teeth Of hose
who made IT, Il was 90 framed as 20 defeat
itself, and this was the intention Of nearly all
who favored il.
We are engaged in the greatest reform move
ment the world has ever seen. The power
against which we are fighting is tremendous
oce, and nothing but prompt, brave, bold, and
persistent action can win. Let US remember
that the blalot-box 10 stronge than an army and
| if we will but use il all will be we'll
With no ambition but the most ample success
Of our cause, remain, yours truly,
WILLIAM H SYLvIs,
PresidenI, National Labor Union.
Mr.. Mortheus was opposed to that part Of
the letter which provides for Capitalization
Of all the unions IN one body. Ii is dan
gerous, and he was opposed to the reception
of the letter. 1t was referred to the commit
tee on resolutions, who reported az follows
Your committee have taken into con idera-
ten the communication Of w. II. Sylvis. resi-
dent of the National Labor Union, anu respect.
| fully dissent from some portion of said commu-
n.eation, viz: Where be states the Labor
Unions OF this country have not and never can
accomplish their mission on the present basis
/ and again his recommendation 20 fling the pres
ent eiRhthour Ia w bill back in the face Of those
who made it. That portion Of the communica-
! tion relating to a table of prices be would sug
gest the appointment of special committee of
three to prepare said table, and report to the
President after adjournment
Mr. Walsh said the workingmen of this
state are strong enough, and when Mr.. Syl-
Wis says they have done nothing be don't
know Of what he speaks. He thought it an
insult to this body. If he bad twenty votes;
they would all be cast against the report and
Mr.. oylvis.
This same Mr. Walsh Endorsed every word
Mr.. Sylvis said, by offering the following
amendment, viii vas adopted:
Resolved, That the convention recommend
to the several Labor Unions Of the state to JOIN
the National Labor Union, and to cooperate
with it for the common good Of the country, and
for this purpose TO prevail upon the several Ma
tional Trade Unions, and upon the Local Work
ingmen's Unions to take cut charters from the
National Union.
He further asserted that the "eight- hour
Law was not strong enough" and favored
such legislation as would make the law ef-
fective.
The following bills to be presented 10 the
legislature was adopted;
PRISON LABOR
SKCrIoN |. From and after the passage o
thlS act, the labor Of the cOnvicts in the sever
81 prisons, penitentiaries, or Houses Of Refug,
10 this State, shall not he let or hired out up0r
contract
SIC Q. Hereafter such convict labor a
may be at the disposal Of the inspectors Of u,
several State Prisons, shall be employed 80 Al
not 20 conflict with the mechanics and work
ingmen of the State, but in such branch o.
branches as NAV be imported from other coun
tries, or such a. will conflict the least witl
mechanical pursuits. Provided, that nothing
ia this act shall he 80 construed As 20 interior,
with existing contracts, but no uew Contract,
shall be made with outside parties after d,
passage of this act. Provided, also, that am
goods wares manufactured shall not be SOLD
in the market or elsewhere less than their mar
ket value at the time Of said sale Provided
also, that no convict employed in any Of th,
|
ment for services while IN any of the severa
prisons belonging to the said State of New
York.
SIC. s. The earnings Of the several pris
ons when paid into the treasury, includ
ing the earnings during the preseD
: fiscal year, shall hereafter constitute a sepa
, rate and distinct fund, TO be known as the Pris
on fund, and the legislature shall annually ,
propri ate from this fund the amount Of none
. ~ k..,rs
the several prisons or houses Of refuge upoI
which the convicts may be employed. Ana b
it enacted that this act shall take effect imme
diately.
An apprentice law, similar to that already
published in your paper was adopted.
The constitution was 80 amended as L
} admit workingwomen to the assembly. Th'
, discussion on this subject was amusing, anc
developed an amount Of narrow seishnesl
too often met with among wOrkingmen.
: The following are few Of the more i'm
portant resolutions adopted:
} Resolved, That the thanks Of this Assembly
| are due and are hereby rendered to the Trade
Assembly of Chicago and the various trade
represented therein for their generous donation
Of $40, forwarded to the President Of this As
, sembly in aid Of the bricklayers.
Resolved, That the President Of this Assem-
bly, be directed to communicate TO the Trade
Assembly of Chicago said vote of thanks.
Resolved, That the ATbiter Union, working
mems psper,) published In the City Of New
York In the German language, be declared TIL
official C--.Ian organ Of this New York Stat,
; Working mems Assembly.
Resolved, That this convention urge upoI
the Legislature of the state Of New York th,
passage 0. law changing venue Of law suits
for wages 70 q court Of arbitration without ap
peal, except on writ OF error, said court TO b
constituted by referees on either part Signec
, by the co nmittee.
Resolved, That the president be authorized
and empowered, when an organisation is OIL
strike 70 apply to all organizations in the stat,
for aid a THAR rpnnaar