The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-10-23
New England Labor Reform League

A convention Of the New England labor
reform league met Ia Horticultural hall n
three o'clock Saturday afternoon, October
2od. The attendance was very small, but
those present were called to order by Mr.. L.
ii. Haywood, president Of the league, and
the business OF the meeting immediately
taken up. The following list of officers for
the convention was announced
President-JOhn Orvis Of West Roxbury
fice-Presldents-H. X. Bgelow of Worces
ter. Mrs. Emma A. Lane of Lynn. A. c. Oar
ling, aud J. Q. Simmons of Worcester. G. C.
Mower Of Upton, A. Carpenter of Worcester,
Mrs E. L. Daniels Of Boston, J. D. Long, oi
Oakdale, and VIM. j. Mclaughlin Of Milford.
Secretaries-Julian F. Bigelow, Mrs NJ H.
Jacobs and A. A. Reed, all OF Worcester
But few OF the officers elected were pre-
sent, but were expected in the evening. In
the absence Of the president, Mr.. Haywood
occupied the chair, and read brief state
ment Of the objects Of the convention The
league is su organization entirely indepen-
dent of the ten hour movers, or those con.
stituting tbs convention held last Tuesday,
their object being simply to abolish the ex-
isting state Of laws and customs whereby the
workingwan is made the slave OF the capi-
taIist and speculator.
The afternoon session was spent in the
discussion of the faults in the money sys-
stem, those present being generally OF
the opinion that interest on money was an
extortiOn, and the bottom of the troubles of
the workingmen. NJ. s. s. Foster spoke in
iavor OF reasonable rate Of interest, though
be denounced the present system Of land
monopolies, high rent, and the attendent
evils. Mr.. Appleton Fay, Mr.. Haywood, Mr..
Orvis Of West Boylst0n, and several other
gentlemen engaged in the discussion. At
ST O'Clock tie convention adjourned to meet
at in the evening.
The evening session commenced at s O'Clock
Mr.. E. D Linton, from the Charlestown navy
yard, presiding. Mr.. J. f. Manning Of Wor.
cester was introduced to the audience, which
was much larger than that of the afternoon.
though BY no means large one. In con-
mencing his remarks be alluded to the
empty seats, and said the inference from
them was the people were not sufficientl in
terested 10 the matter; the movement was in
its infancy; he compared it to the anti slavery
movement OF twenty five years ago. which
commenced in obsecurity, and resulted so
gloriously. He said he understood the Geld
was open to all speakers-a very generous
arrangement though be did not en-
dorse the whole action OF the convention
held in Mechanics hall on the 2Sth, be was
friend to the workingman. He explained
thatkall classes in America were alike, la
bo rs; the labor Of the muscle got its SUP
porG from brain labor; the thinking workers
supplied the Inventions, by which the world
was kept moving and muscular labor fed. In
regard to trades unions, be said that they
were not an American institution, they were
the outgrowth of an aristocracv and a
monarchy they came from Great Britain,
and would not bear transplsnting 10 America.
They had agitated reform and done good
incidentally, but were, ON the whole, a
failure. The condition Of the workingwomen
was, in part, due to the fact that there were,
ia this state, loo, 900 more than there were
men the Pacific states presented a contrast
surplus was needed there. The statement
that workingmen had their rights more in
Englsnd was false one they were ruled
over BY combined capital everywhere; the
matter OF reforming legislation in this mat
ter was in the hands of Vhe laboring class !;
they should not attack capital directly by
strikes, but flank it. He spoke Of the poll
tical parties-the republicans as the friends
of labor, the democrats the enemies, and, on
the expression of. these political views, MANY
rose from then. seats and left the hall. sav-
ing that they did not come to hear politics
discussed.
Mr. Haywood followed in q sholt speech
showing up the Iniquities Of speculation,
citing as an instance the legislation in re-
gard to the Boston and Albany railroad, by
which two millions OF dollars which should
have into the State treasury was put into the
pockets of the stockholders He said mouev
was simply the measures Of values, and
should not be subject to expansion aud con
traction prices Of necessary articles, rail
road fares, &c., should not be made a mat
ter of speculation, but should be regulated
according to the actual average cost. the
same as postage on letters. Take the money
away from speculators, he eontended, and
it would naturally be forced into business
where il belonged.
Mrs. E. NJ. Daniels of Boston was intro
duced, and made an clog At speeoI in be-
half OF laboring women touching also on
the system of interest on money.
Remarks were made by several others, the
oppression Of capital on labor being the
general subject.
The audience dnring the evening were con-
stsntly coming and going, and st the close it
vas much smaller than when the meeting
was called to order. At ten O'Clock the
convention adjourned to meet at ten o'clock
Sunday morning.