The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-13
PROCEEDINGS
FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION
State Workingmen's Assembly,
or THE STATE or NEW YORK.


ALBANY, Jan. 90, 1852
! The fifth annual session OF the State
Workingmen's Assembly convened in Iron
Mo,der's Hall, at 10 A. NJ, and was called to
order at 10 by President w. j. Jessup. The
second vice-president and warden were alb
sent. Mr.. Thomas Alder, OF Carpenters
Hnien No. 8, Of New York city, was ap-
pointed warden pro tenn.
The president delivered long address 10
which he congl ,ulated the delegates on the
full attendance Il This session, and reviewed
the doings Of the val ious labor organizations
during the past year hc recommended the
entire abols hment Of the contract system IN
the prisons Of the State urged the necessi-
ity Of an apprentice law; expressed himself
strongly ia favor Of an immediate repeal OF
the conspiracy law and recommended the
holding Of an annual fair by the working
mems organizations similar to those held by
the agricultural societies.
A On motion the president appointed Messrs.
4 Welsh cs Brooklyn, Graham OF Rochester,
and Norton of AlbAny,a committee on Gre
dentials.
/ In the afternoon the Assembly vas called
1 TO order by Secretary Troup, 10 the absence
Of President Jessup.
/ The committee on credentials presented
Z their report
Mr.. Bourke was appointed tempory chair
man.
1t would appear from the report Of the
committee on credentials that the delegates
present represents over thirty thousand
work:agmen.
/ A large number Of organizations, not re-
presented by delegates, have written letters
forwarding the amount Of their assessments,
and pledging to lend their assistance and CO.
operation to the measures inaugurated.
The delegates from the Knights Of St.
Crispin are buSly getting into shape mea-
sures for the entire adjustment OF the con-
tract system in the prisons for presentation
TO the legislature and there seems to be but
one opinion upon this matter by the dele
gates, which is that the present unjust pr-
son laws must be amended, aud estate IN
ploy" substituted for the present contract
system" A heTculeAn effor: will be made to
carry out this mnch needed reform.
The president read his annual report show
ing that great generalization exists among
the Cochmakers' and Yollen Soinners' Un-
ions during the year, aud that the Knights
Of ST, Crispin and Brckiayers have large &C
cessions. During the past ar twenty-five
new unions have beer organized, making q
total Of 303 unions in the Safe. The Ger
man organizations IN New York city are il
a h0rr,shing condition, and taking a lively
interest in the labor movement, ami be
urged that every measure be resoTted TO, TO
bring them in full fellowship and co-opera-
zion with their English speaking brethren.
TIE called attention TO the female labor or
CARNATIONS. He reviewed the strikes in
New York State during the past year, re-
ports Of which were published Ia tue ADvo-
CATE when they occurred, and are familiar
70 our readers Cooperation is making ra
pid strides throughout the State seven CO.
operative foundries are now in -four shing
condition, besides sever 1 stores aud other
workshops. Tie question Of prison labor
was reviewed At length, giving detailed &C
count Of the doings OF the president and CEN
tral committee on this question.
- TIE cBF2se Eitisg presented seeEGieG q &c salssss
account, when was referred 10 a special CON
iniltee Of five, who were instructed 10 take
charge Of all matters concerning prison Ia
Dor.
SECOND DAY
ALBANY, Jan. 81, 1857
Special Committees were appointed by the
President, and a communication Was read
from President 81 wis Of the National Labor
Union asking the State Workingmen's As
sembly to cooperate with the National La
Dor Unon in several matters considered im-
p0rtant by the National Labor Union. First,
he asks that the ssembly, If 1t can con
sislendy approve the Platform of Principles
Of the National Labor Union, and recommend
10 the various local Unions 10 the s ale the
necessity Of connecting themselves - 18th the
National Labor Union. The verv greatest
draw back 70 the labor reform movement. II
81 we're possible 10 make all the Trades
Unions 10 the country see the importance Of
this movement, and appreciate the fact that
If we can succeed in establishing our none
tary system, as the law Of the land, it would
SO change the whole face OF society as TO do
away with the necessity Of Trade Unions en-
tirely. Mr. Syivis has Gene to the coneiu-
sion that 40 permanent reform can ever be
established through the agency of Trades
Unions as they are now and have been CON
Quoted. They are purely defensive in their
character, and experience has taught all of
US Who have been for any considerable lime
connected with them, that TO keep them alive
at all, requires continued struggle and a
vast expenditure OF time and money. Within
the past ten years mentioned, we have the
same struggles to maintain curse; : we ever
had and there will be no end to it until the
workmen Of our country wake up to the
necessity Of seeking a remedy through the
ballot-box.
Mr. Sylvis adds, "a reform in he prison
labor system in your State, and the enact
ment Of a good, sound apprentice law, are
ma nf I'D uv,n
Of course receive your careful attention. The
eight hour question is one that will come
prominently before you. | will say here
what have often said before, that consider
the Eight Hour law, as it stands upon the
books OF your State, an insult to every
worklngman 10 the State.
ave are engaged in the greatest reform
movement the world has ever seen. The
p5wer against which we are fighting is
tremendous one, and nothing but prompt,
brave, bold, and persistent action can win.
Let US remember the ba.iot-box. is stronger
than army, and If we viii but use it, all will
be we'll"
The address Of Mr.. Sylvis will be found
entire in the account Of the proceedings Of
the New York State WOr kingn.sn's Assem-
oily gwen BY our own reporter IN the inside
Of this weeks ADvocArE.-[ED. Advocate.
Mr.. Graham presented a memorial from
the Monroe County Wor.ingmen's Assembly
in relation to the treatment Of minors in the
Western House Of Refuge, which gave rise
to a lively discussion, but was finally refer
red to the Committee on Prison Labor.
Mr. Matthews, from Bricklayers' Union No
2, returned the thanks Of his organization
through the Assembly to the various work
ingmen's Organizations throughoua the State
for the sympathy and material aid extended
to them while s'rug Cling for the enforcement