The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-20
PROCE EDINGs
FOURTH ANNUAL CONVENTION
National Bricklayers' Union.

WAsHISeroS. Jan. 18th 1850.

The convention re- assembled this morn
ing and on motion of Mr.. Conroy, OF New
York, it was resolved to hold evening ses-
sion at ! O'Clock.
On motion Of Mr.. Browning, OF New York,
the thanks Of the National Union was ten
dered TO the officers and members Of Union
No. l, OF Missouri, for their noble action in
waving their claim for assistance while
the New York brickIayers were on a strike.
Also, that this Union congratulate the craft
Of Pennsylvania for their success in organiz-
inc : Philadelphia and vicinity.
After he disposition Of other business Of
minor Importance, the hour having arrived
for taking up the regular order Of the dsy.
being the resolutions reported by the con-
mittee appointed To consider the late strike
OF Unions No. 2, 4, aud IL, of New York.
in consequence Of an attempt to obtain the
eight- hour system, the convention proceeded
to the consideration Of the lame.
Mr.. Swayne, OF Pennsylvania, then took
the floor and offered resolutions, "That We
have unintentionally. weakened the efforts
OF our brothers IN New York city bv refu-
sing to aid them in their efforts to reduce
the hours OF labor, thereby LAYING the cor
Der-stone to success to all who may attem pt
the introduction Of this relief that we will
redress sail wrongs inflicted upon the afore-
said Unions, By lndemnifying them for their
loss OF time and money; that we will nav or
cause TO be paid the sum Of seven dollars
per week for each member of SAID Unions
who was idle while on the strike ia June
last until October LIST, 1868; that the aiore-
said Unions be requested to refuse working
until the just demands made by them be
granted BY the employers, and that to make
successful the eight-hour movement at
tempted by the aforesaid Unions, we advise
them 20 organize themselves 10 cooperative
associations, and We pledge the several
Unions TO assist them in raising capital
stock, so that they may successfully compete
With their former employers in the contract
market"
Mr.. Swayne proceeded to address the con
vention in behalf Of the resolutions, touch
ing hrst upon the effort inaugurated a mum
Der OF years since for the ten-hour law, and
the rapid manner in which it was adopted
IN all branches throughout the Uulon. This,
be thought, would prove to be the case ia
the effort now being made to put into prac-
tee the eight hour law, provided the yari-
ous unions, backed BY the endorsement Of
the great National Union, stood fast and
aided each other.
Mr.. j. W. Browning, Of flew York, next
obtained the floor, and pledged his fellow
worSmeD throughout the land and that the
bricklayers of New York would never yield
the point they bad taken. They only wanted
the assistance Of the Nationa. Union to give
them success.
Mr.. Farley, Of Brooklyn, opposed the
passage OF the resolutions as he did not
ank Ifzsn . A -
should have the privilege Of formally com
mencing the strike again next spring.
Mr.. OCallahan, Of New York, warmly ad-
vocated the passage Of the resolutions.
Mr.. Gorham, Of New Jersey, followed 10
opposition, and favored moderate counsels
The strike Of New York, he thought, was a
political dodge. and had not the sanction of
the bricklayer as a mass.
Mr.. O'Connell, Of Chicago, thought tue
strike Of New York last summer had proved
success, and il only wanted assistance
from the National Union to forever settle
tho question at issue. The only way, how
ever, TO insure this result wac TO furnish
money In cs Of strikes, and 10 order TO
obtain funds system Of assessment should
be resorted to. He could not say that he
was altogether in favor Of re opening the
strike next spring; in fact, he dtd not deem
it necessary.
Mr.. J. Z. Kirby, Of Maryland, was IN "a
vor OF eight-hours, but thought there was
but one way to accomplish tne object. 10
was only by regular system OF taxation.
tax OF twenty cents per day on each man
would yield 81 800, and any Union demand
ing eighth hours should deduct one-hfth Of
their wages 70 correspond with the reduc-
tion Of the hours OF labor.
The question was forsher discussed by
Messrs. Maxwell, Of Troy, N. Y, and Egg
lest0n,iof Md, and oilers ia fago Or Ut the
adoption Of the res olutions, aud Messrs.
Paul. OF Ohio, Cullen and Penlin, who IA
vored the eight-hour system, but did not be-
iieve IL expedIent for the National Uni sn 60
levy 9 sp-urai taK npon the Uni0ns, tc sus-
tsin strikes which might be made upon this
issue.
The convention then took recess till !
O'Clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The question lnoer consideration AZ time
time our report closed yesterday afternoon.
TO Wit The resolutions submitted b. the
committee appointed to consider the strike
Of Unions No. ?, 4, and IL, Of New York,
was continued until bali past seven O'Clock.
Mr.. George O. Cook, of Washington, ad
dressed the convention at some length in
favor Of the passage of the resolution, en-
dorsiDg the eight-hour movement, and sas.
tanning the strikers OF New York by direc,
assessment OF the Unions. The establish
ment Of the eight-hour law, he said, woaId
not only Lessen the time Of labor, and sber
by give more opportunity for mental cul-
tUre, but il would in addition increase tbe
demand, because RI the fact that every hour
taken from days work would necessariiy
leave more for M increased number cf en-
ployees to do. The dignity of labor would
therefore be promoted BY the increased DE-
mand, and mechanics In the future would
command higher respect i'm the country.
-Four 70 six hours work o day was sufficient
for q man 10 work in order 20 maintain him.
self and family.
Mr.. MeDermott, OF No. Is, New York.
was In favor of the eight-hour law. but dld
not think she resolutions embodied The prop
er way BY which The objecs could be- obtain.
cd. IL was wrong TO make Ii q national
matter, and be was in favor cf voluntary
contribution, which had heretofore prevail.
ed. More satisfaction would thereby bf
given tha- by foresd saxasion. and IL be.
iisved hat larger contributions would bs
the result.
Mr.. Wall, Of Pennsylvania, had been in.
\ strncted 70 oppose the s4cption of the eight
hour law BY the nati0nai ConyeEtion, bul
promised aid In tip.s VI strikes, provided
shsre was no forced assessment npon I'M
Unions. Should tae measure of assessmen
| prevail, hoHsssfs sas members of his Union