The national Republican., 1869-02-20

woRKIsanEs's CONVICTION. - An ad-
Journed meeting Of the workipgmen's Con-
vention was held at Union League Hall last
night. Mr.. 8. c. Espcy called the meeting
TO order.
Mr.. Costello, from the committee to walt
upon the president Of the club and inform
him Of his election, reported that they had
waited upon the gentleman and ne had se-
for the honor conferred. Mr.. Costello further
stated that Mr.. Boswell was confined to his
house this evening by illness.
The secretary read the credentials of the
Flfth ward delegates, appointed at the meet
ing on Thursday night, signed by r. II.
Gaines, president, aud VIM. II. Brown, Sec
retary. -4
Mr.. R. A. simms moved to lay the CON-
munication upon the table; which was car
ried with but one or two dissenting voices.
Mr.. Joseph Brooks offered the following
preamble and resolutions;
Whereas the suffering among the poor OF
our city 10 Intense, and caused by an imper-
feet system Of public labor; and believing
that by judcious legislation q policy might
be initiated conducive to the public interest
and greatly amelorate the condition Of the
poorj
n bill In the Board Of Aldermen 90 compati-
bic with the views Of the poor laboring men
OF our city, and who 90 eloquently and
nobly enunciated facts which might suggest
itself to every well disciplined, unprejudiced
and christian mind that is, to be charitable
is hrst TO be Just and then to be liberal In the
distribution Of labor, and thereby encourage
thrift and industry;
Resolved, That we, representing the labor
ing men OF the city In convention assembled,
| A haf ~ taua IL A - pttr haa a
felt gratitude for so earnestly and nobly ad.
vocating principles which will do much to
raise the INDECENT poor above the level Of q
mere pauper and give them chance Of self
sustenance, and thereby encouraging the
I poor. honest laborer, through their industry
and frugality, TO compete with the more fa-
vorcd Of their fellow-citiEens, and moreover,
remove the sadness and distress which now
pcrvades the hearthstoues Of hundreds Of our
fellow-citizens, consequent from poverty.
Rssolssd, That In Mr.. A. p. Clark the
workingmen Of this city acknowledge true,
unyicldlng and incorporating friend.
Rssoiped, That we do respectfully but
earnestly urge our representative In the City
Council TO cooperate with Mr.. A. p. Clark
in establishing a more perfect system Of
labor, whereby all honest aud industrious
men may be benefited.
Tho resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
Mr.. A. P. Clark thanked the convention
for the compliment, and assured them he
would always endeavor to do all In his power
for the workingmen.
Messrs. simms, Dixon, Jones and Gaines
eulogized Mr.. Clark as the friend Of the
workingmen.
Mr.. Atkinson, Of the Fifth ward, was in
troduced as an honorary member and ad'
dressed the convention. He said the first
thing they did should be to address memo
rial to Congress setting forth the condition
and needs Of the laboring men In this Dis
trict. He opposed the contract system.
The corporation could pay ~ per day, and
allow eight hours rs days work, and do
better than by the contract system.
Mr.. Simms thought the city could pay ~
II they got faithful labor In return.
Mr.. Brooks introduced the following;
which was received and referred to the Bust
moss Committee
Resolved, That In order to promote the in
, diyidual welfare and prosperity, the socia
4 aud pecuniary interest, and the moral anI
4 intellectual advancement OF the working
classes, that the business committee be au
4 thorized and requested to memoriallze Con
I grcss for an equitable division OF Govern
r ment employment among oil classes Of work
. ingmen.
A motion was adopted that when the con
1 vention adjourned II be to meet ut 10 o'clocl
4 | on the Sth OF March.
Mr.. Jones, of the Fifth ward, asked wha
, object the convention proposed to meet 70
, on the sth Of March. g..
The Chair stated that business commit
tee had been appointed to mature matter an,
, furnish business for the convention. II
, presumed this committee would among othe
things submit the draft OF q memorial l.
Congress.
Mr.. Dixon offered motion that a com
, mittee Of seven be appointed to invite gentle
| men to be considered honorary members o
c the convention at Its meeting on the sth o
March. Adopted.
A Mr.. John L. Pfau offered the followin,
i. resolutions:
4 Resolved, That the workingmen's conycn
4 tlon respectfully recommend to his honor tn
r Mayor the proprlety of expending the large
@ part of the appropriation OF Congress for tn
! deserving poor In furnishing employment Il
4 the same in improving the city, II not con
trary to the act.
Resolred, That a copy OF this resolution b,
forwarded to the Mayor.
Mr.. Mcfarland thought the Mayor coult
T be trusted to disburse this money without
Instructions from this convention.
Mr.. Pfau said that the result Of his expe
rience with the Proyident Aid Society wa
that most Of the applicants came there be
cause they were unable to obtain work.
Mr.. Brooks thought the appropriation wa
. for the sick aud feeble and ought not to b
paid out for labor.
/ On motion Of Mr.. Garner the resolution
Q were laid on the table.
The meeting then adjourned.