The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-13
THE SONS OF TOLL.
Mass Meeting OF WOrkingmen at Cooper
Institute-The W0rkingmen's Union
az Political Organization
The Eight Hour Law
and Cooperation.

general mass meeting OF the Workingmen's
Union was held last evening at the Cooper Institute
There was large atendan ce, including representa-
tves from nearly all the trades, and the proceedings
were characterized by much enthusiasm. On the
platform was banner bearing the words. "Work-
ingmen OF All Countries, Unite.n Shortly after
eight O'Clock Mr.. Troup stated that he had been au
thorized to call the meeting to order and to nomi
nate for chairman Mr. Nelson w. Young President
OF the Workingmen's Union.
ADDRESS OF MR.. NELSON W. YOUNG.
Mr.. YOUNG after returning thanks, said-We
have met tonight to take action upon matters
bearing upon the great cause in which we have
enlisted and to give expression to our Views upon
the labor movements movement which Is at
present attracting the attention Of all classes and
conditions OF men. We meet not as parsans. but
as free and independent men, untrammeiled py past
affiliations and acluated by q sincere desire to
uphold the rights OF labor; to demand the enforce.
ment OF just laws passed for our relief, and TO
denounce that unjust and unequal taxation which
Is making the rich man richer and the poor
man poorer. Appaase.l Thanks to the union
and harmony prevailing among us. we are in con.
dltion to do this, for we every day gaining
and more the confidence OF the public at large. The
conservative platform adopted by the National
Labor Congress is doing Its work, and the results
will soon be and felt Contrast the position we
occupy to-day with that OF only few years ago, and
mark the mighty change which has taken place.
Then we were looked upon as little short OF an or
ganIzed mob, ready to resort to violence II our de.
mands were not complied with: now we hnd criti-
cal and discerning pubic approving OF our wise
and conservative platform OF principles anu
urging US on to put taose principles into practical
operation From the United States Senate, from
the halls OF legis alton IN the various states, from
the business centres OF trade and commerce. we are
receiving evidence that our true position is begin
ming to be appreciated. The idea that aboring men
are banded together for but one purposetnat OF Oh
! tanning an advance OF wages-ls dying out. The
| large attendance OF reporters here tonight, the
| presence among you OF SO many professional men
| (and notice also some professional poiitlcans IS
| proof that ignorance aud prejudice are giving
| place TO intelligence and reason Capital no
| longer trembles with apprehension lest the
assembling Of ourselves together should endanger
been reasoning with capital and labor liz reapiDg
the. reward OF the conference Applausel Labor
protector or capital and that the interests of both
are identical. Labor will compel the specializing
the wealth OF the nation and permit capital 10
be invested IN the legitimate channels of
trade, manufacture and commerce, and receive
the benefit and aid OF the productive industry
OF labor. But there Is one class OF men
who view the work in which we are engaged with
uneasiness and lear. ! mean the politIcans-the
sworn enemies OF both capital ana labor-wnose DIS
honesty and corruption levy millions Of taxation
unjustly, ana who laugh TO scorn the united demands
OF capital and labor for an honest administration OF
public aifairs-nationa. state and MUNICIPAL Yes.
they trembe for in the midst OF their feas OF extra
vagance and corruption they discover the hand OF
labor writing upon the wa tho same fearful words
that struck terror to the hearts OF Belsazzar and
his followers, "Mene meme, fehe{, atph0l sit-thoa
art weighed In the balance and art found want
ing tApplause.) know, fellow workingmen,
that there are some who think we should msdde
with politics, hat conane ourselves strictly 10 mat
tiers which concern us as workinglnen. Now, con.
tend that al the acts ol these politicians concern u.s.
Ihey levy tue taxes ana we pay them; they pass
obnoxious laws aud we are obliged TO obey them;
they compel US to live in lily ventilated and incon
veuent apartments anu TO drag our weary Limits
for miles to and from our work, while they roll in
luxury and golten wealth; they tax capital that 1t
HAY In turn retaate upon labor ana when the land
loru charges us exorbitant rents for q dapldated
shelter Tor our wives and little ones these
politicians have the supreme impudence to tell us
that tile high price or labor Is the cause OF it,
tAppleuse But they take good care not TO tell you
that the tax levy is several millions OF dollars more
than Is necessary to carry on The municipal govern
ment If honestly administered. Oh no; they do not
tell you this for they want these extra millions OF
dollars Tor Sinecure positions and personal apprO-
priations. While you are working daily to earn an
honest living they have thousands upon the pay
to TO the Comptroer's once once 4 mon.n
and draw their money. For PROOF Of what
these ih,ngs dones Not by one party alone, bat by
combination OF the leaders OF both The great poIit-
Cal parties who divide the lOaves and fishes among
themselves VINO rob honest industry, and VINO pass
conspiracy laws TO punish You for holding Just such
meetings as ath,s. DO these things not concern
us as workngmen2 DO they not concern the tax
payer and capitalist, and are we not justified in
endeavorlng to elect from our ranks honest and
capable men who VIII remedy the evllg II capital
would increase and multiply 1t should unite with
labor, aud hurl from power these corrupt officials,
who are the real cause OF high prices, not
only or rentS and the necessares OF life, but Of
everything which enters into the domestic and
political economy OF the country. ask you to con-
slider these matters, and as representative OF your
holy cause ! am willing to sacrifice my time, my
labor, my all, to accomplish that protection for the
hresldes and elevate them In the social and political
scale. tApplause.l
Mr. BLIssERT the Secretary, then presented the
following reSoiutions:-
both 81 the existing parties corrupt serving
BY means Of conventions rings calcases aud aefrandins
them place being The people hence The
lion e nc gevsramsn q hs people UNFOLDING honor
and dignity Of the republic and maintaining the prosperity
Rssovsa Ina, the Torkinsmen Of New York CITY, in
in tho new ORGANIZATION known as the Labor reform party
81 ny al the s Of principles adopted
Der thereof TO sever all combination with the existing po
wholly reprssea. The principle. contained II the labor plat
necessity Organizing in The respective a.
s .nn 6 a to Of sending direct from
OF the nation and State.
passed this alleged purpose Of regulating the
saas %f ny n .a sau
NE Il s ns a wSg 1 s DO d
thereof and we further pledge ourselves work
1sns a 10 withheld our % s% candidate who
provisions the OF all legal legislative restric
lions on the statutes bearing on such laws
Resolved That the conviction OF members OF
trades unions for Conspiracy" matter which mater
niy anecs the caiBtcncs OF all labor organizations this
State, and feel that the law the book
construed mako q crime for workngmen to
and consult together make for the government
their trades that shall efforts TO gtae
this question until such UNJUST oppressive and tyanncai
law IL swept from the statute book.
Resolved That coadtmu the present nacament,
rather reimbursement OF the prisons OF state, and de-
that be passed that such branches bdsi
only will 10 performed in the prisons as Will least
IN contact with honest labor outside OF the prisons.
Resolved, That condemn the practice of citizen al
ing than political Office and respectfully the
Legislature TO pass bin preventing the same.
Resolved, That pledge ourselves support
to establish cooperative associations for Industrial purposes
tending equality OF interest between the
ana consumer and deathblow ella monopoly
Resolved That the low long hours and damaging
service which muitudes OF working girls aud
doomed destroy health, impcril virtue and standing
reproach to civilizations that would urge learn
trades engage In business and join labor unions or
other honorable means TO persuade force