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

the sale. To knock an article down to one
man for $500, 200, while refusing to sell it to
another for $4,000, 900, is scandalons
transaction, and should be investigated.
(From Special RspOster.)
NEW YORK STATE WORKINGMEN's
ASSEMBLY.
ALBANY, Jan. 80, 1869.
To the Editors Of the wosKsshAEs Advocate.
The New York State Trades Asse nbIy
has just closed it's fifth annual session, which
assembled here on the Goth inst
President VIM. J. Jessup, in the chair.
Some 40 delegates, representing some go
900 members, were present.
President Jessup presented an able report,
reviewing the labor movement in the state.
Speaking Of the eight-hour law passed by
Congress. lie is severe on Evarts for his
two faced" milk and water decision on
the Scotield order reducing wages, and on
Senators Morgan and CoDkling, the first for
voting against the bill. and the second for
lodging the question. He admits the eight
hour Law Of New York to be failure, and
recommends such legislation as will secure
lie benefits TO the laboring people Of the
State. He recommends the adoption by the
legislature Of good apprentice Law. He
declares the State Prison labor system to be
a fraud upon the honest labor of the State,
and urges immediate action in the matter.
He refers 10 the old conspiracy laws which
disgrace the statute books Of New York, and
strongly appeals TO the workingmen Of that
state to arouse as one man and demand
their immediate repeal He favOrs an
amendment to the constitution, admitting
delegates from workingwomen's Unions. He
Furkes the regulation Of the hours Of labor
! for children in factories, and provision for
their education. He refers to the question
Of Gland monopoly" and gives few figures
to show now the people are defrauded out
Of the public domain, but be does not meet
the question as it was expected be would,
nor make any recommendations to prevent
the robbery. He recommends the holding
Of mechanics state fares. He refers to CO.
operation, and hopes shat in future reports
to this assembly, cooperation will form :
prominant feature" Corporation is more
successful in this STATE than in any other.
In this city, and Troy, only six miles from
here, there is to be found the finest exam
plies Of cooperative success in the country
equal to any IN the world-but stranger
to say he does moi refer to them at all. he
refers to the late session Of the National
Labor Union, but does not make any recon-
mendstions or suggestions upon the sub
ject. He Ives workingmen to subscribe
for and MANI +'n newspapers devoted to the
interests of labor, and concludes by thanks
for the support he has received. Strange
to say he never once refers to the great
monetary question that is now stirring the
people from one end Of the land to the other,
nor does he in any manner refer to the or
ganization Of peoples party for political
action, such rs is contemplated by the Ma
tional Labor Union.
The reading Of the Presidents report, the
report of the committee on credentials, and
large amount of routine business consumed
the whole Of tie first day.
On the second day letter was read from
Mr.. Sylvis, President Of the National Labor
Union, which send you in full because it
was the subject Of much discussion, and
drew down upon its author many harsh and
IN amount Of Misrepresentation astonish-
ing for an intelligent body Of men. The
following is a complete copy Of the letter
oysIcs or szs EAsIossL LABoR uEIos,
RHrLABELPHHA, Jan. "a, 1850.
Mr.. j. ysssuP, Presidsat Q. wa:
As the State Workingmen's Assembly, Of
which you have the honor ID be President, will
shortly meet I hsve thought il proper to
write 70 you, and, through yoa, to the Assem-
bly,, asking Che cooperation Of that body In
several matters considered important by the
National Union.
FIRST would ask Of the Assembly, II IL
can consistently, endorse the platform Of prin-
ciples Of the National Labor movement, recon-
mend TO the local unions in the state the neces-
sity OF connecting themselves sith the National
Labor Union | would like very much If two
or three short, positive, and pointed resolutions
would be adopted, setting forth the views OF the
Assembly on this important matter.
The very greatest drawback TO the labor re-
form movement 10 the fact that the trades un-
| ions hold themselves aloof from the movement
This ls not ouly singular, but very unfortu-
| nate fact II IL were possible 70 make all the
trades unions IN the country nee the Importance
Of this movement, and appreciate the fact shat
| II We can succeed In establishing our monetary
system ~ the Law Of the land IL would 20 change
| the whole face Of society a. 70 do away with
| the necessity OF trades unions entirely, there
would be no trouble 20 accomplish the whole
! labor reform movement in q very short time.
I have long since come TO the conclusion that no
permanent reform can ever be established
through ths agency Ut trades unions ~ they
| are nov and have been conducted. They are
pnrely defensive in their character, and expert
sncs hss tssghs Ill Of 10 who have been for any
eonsiderable time connected with them that 70
keep them alive Ut all requires continued
struggle and vast expenditnre Of time and
msney. The organization have the honor 70
represent has spent money enough WITHIN the
| past ten yean 70 have effected an entire revolu-
zion in our monetary systsms and secure what
ever congressional legislation We may need
| Within the past ten years We have spent .
million and half Of dollars, aad to-day W.
Ihsve the same struggles 10 maintain ourselves
we ever hsd, and there will Be no end % it I'M
a the uorkingmen Of the country wake up %
necessity Of seeking remedy through the bal
Iotbox. Al ths evils uEder which We srosn