The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-08-21

Imself an benefit to the organisation. His
salary was also raised to $1,000. Ia 1857
the convention met in Boston, and although
some slight opposition was I'M anifested. be
was elected over all competitors bv n vote
which showed how thoroughly he was appre-
ciated BY The members Of his craft. His
salary was raised to 81 900, and his term Of
Office extended TO eighteen months.
In July, 1858, the convention me. A.
Toronto, and for the last time be received
the honor Of an election BY a two.thirds
vote.
We have thus briefly and imperfectlv
sketched his history in connection with the
Iron Molders' Union and we know mona
will deny that the present proud position
occupied BY that organization is almost en-
tirely due 10 bis untireing energy, clear
foresight and ability to cope with all man.
ner Of difficulties.
As an advocate of cooperation, Mr.. SVl-
Wis had few peers, and No superiors. While
he was an ardent and active friend of trades
unions, be regarded them simply az stepping
stones 10 other and more advanced action.
Having given the question an earnest and
careful consideration, and mastered il in ali
its details, he longed for the season when
his fellow craftsmen would come to regard
it in the same light that he did, and also for
the opportunity to practically illustrate its
benefits and operations. In the beginning
Of 1860, the great luck of the iron molders'
commenced in Troy, N. Y. Mr.. s. started
for that city determined to remain there un-
til he could accomplish the one great object
Of bis life-the establishment of Co-opers-
tive Foundry. After few weeks Of persist
ent effort be succeeded in enlisting the syn
patty Of several molders in the enterprise
and forming the nucleus of what 10 now one
of the most successful manufacturing enter
prises in the United States.
At the Toronto convention he caused to
be engrafted In the constitution Of the ma
tionsl organization a general plan Of coop
GRAFTON, BY which the international Union
would eventually secure to itself revenue,
and do away with any tax on its members. !
And at the time of his death, the accom-
pllshment of that purpose was merely a
question Of year or two at the furthest.
wherever strike occurred the question of
cooperation was preached at once to the
members directly interested; and to- day, as
natural consequence Of such effort, no trade
n the country is better versed in the min
lti@ If cooperation than the iron holders
He was also prominently identified with
III the efforts made to esta blish cooperative
torres and factories in the city Of PhiIadel-
'hia, and had those with whom he was thus I
rought in contact, possessed a 1.-THE of his {
aith, foresight and determination, there Is /
o doubt but that the most abundant success 6
'ould have crowned their efforts. ?
His connection with the National Labor q
nion, is too well known to require more Ii
ian a passing notice. Although it was {
wing to his exertions, more than to those OF
ny other man, that the Baltimore convention /,
as held in 1865, owing to severe attack nj
sickness, be was prevented from partici- ii
ating in its deliberations. At the Chicago n
'nvent on, however, 10 1867, be at once P
'se to that prominence to which his talents NJ
I'D force Of character entitled him and it D
as owing in great measure to his exer- d
ons that the platform, presented by the Il
ritter eff this article, which was subse quent. w
ratified in New York, was adopted. At
9 New York convention he again took q
mmanding position, and at the close of
deliberations was elected president BY
anlmous consent. Shortly after it's adj