The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-17
HE WORkNGMEN,S UNION.
The Eight Hour Movement-Co inflammation OF
Washington Officials.

The Eight Hour Observation-Disclosures Of
Washington Ohicinls.
mass meeting OF the Workingmen's Union, IN
support of the operative painters in their claim for
eight hours as a days work was held last night
at the Cooper Institute. The attendance was
not very large. Mr.. William j. Jessup was
chosen chairman and Mr. Alexander Troup score
tary The chairman said the meeting was called
to express sympathy for the operative painters
who were among the first who made the
demand for eight hours. This occurred about year
ago. but they were unsuccessful He hoped they
would now be sustained and the demand enforced.
the following resolutions were then read and
Adopted
Whereas the operative painters of this city believing
hs e mas arrived 70 enforce the legally constituted law OF
their trade Is concerned; therefore be It
meeting Cooper Institute Sssembed believing n, the ius
them In enforcing The legally constituted law OF the
Resolved That the practice of the Police Department
perforuns bop m b sofGe rop ,ne o.
thereby negectns Me duty for which they appointed
Resolved, Thai the Police Commissioners be requested to
compel al members Of The police force to do police duty,
soaed Fiat We demand s se eO as
COMPEL Messr Byron and Ferris the demands o. the
he "a e Ere e5sae Is or other
parties who viii nav III tne md tyasss Ne" o'"e'
Resolved T5a can aRea s. Essssney Governor Hoa-
mar 10 tae name OF the woknsmen OF hs State 20 issue
upon Rein 70 enforce ie IRE aS9q aS calling
lie employees Of ihs state are concerned 49, " " "
hours labor the sSf h
Resolved That we pledge ourselves to support our orsani
increase its numbers, so that may continue 10 power
Ss % Sse tho s s che and aps al to
eontfnne 40 DO batiIc sSaiss, bcn INA h ,p we
endowed with the same privileges granted to
wei as the capitalists with suncien, manly courage 10
demands our rights and dare maintain them.
The Chairman then introduced Mr. Purcell OF the
operative painters, who said that to-day there was
no subject which excited more interest than the
question OF time in regard to labor Efforts have
been made 10 carry into force what has been made
statute that eight hours shall be made legal days
work but as yet they had not been successful
The bosses have brought all the influence they pos
sess TO break down the position OF the painters and
70 drive them back again into ten hours labor, upon
ers The wages for eight hours that they demand In
lieu OF ten hours because, forsooth, all other me-
day. The painters have to contend on this question
directly with the pecuniary interests Of the bosses
may be. enforced aud become a reality In.
stead OF 30 many sentences written upon
tue page and laid upon the shelf Of
some lawyers office, bound IN calf or morocco to
become q deed letter. because he wishes TO improve
his mental as well as his physical condition, and
because he wishes to increase the demand for labor
Ihey have been sneered al for tner efforts; 10 has
been said II you curtail the hours OF labor what
viii mechanics do with their leisure time they
viii spend 10 in the shops. There was
never time when mechanics attempted 70
obtain for themselves any of the enoymenis of life
that the fraity OF not made the excuse for
every effort 20 keep them In state OF vassalaoe.
The speaker said ne was not afraid OF being contra
dictet when he said that the mechanics OF New York
were not loaiers, or dishonest, or drunKards II l.
not from the laborng class from the mechanics that
our criminals come. II IL very seldom that a genu-
IN mechanic or laborng man has TO be sent
up the river 10 where they they sing twice.
streets dangerous. and commit theft, ROBBERY and
murder. Laborers VIII not be found turning Broad.
way a. night from thoroughfare into he'll for
they have not the capital TO do H. The bosses refuse
TO accede 10 the eight hours because IL makes the
mechanics little more independent and creates an
opportunity for more laDorers. They want their
pound Of flesh and would take twenty II they could.
The speaker adverted with contempt 10 certain
willing TO work longer than regular mechanics
because these men were not educate
artisans and were content with pIt,ance
lie urged the painters to be firm aud that finally the
bosses, like captain SCOTS coon would come DOWN
In the course Of his address the speaker made
alluded In sarcastic terms 10 the employtient of
policemen 70 do painters and other mechanical
regular mechanics and allowing Policemen
TO protect the lives aud property OF cti-
Of the Operative Plastefcrs who denounced se sso
tary Of the Navy Borie for reducing the wages Of
the mechanics in tue Washington Navy Yard ana
pie In the War Department. He said he had drawn
up sort OF Indictment against them embodied In
the form OF RESOLUTIONS, which are foilows:-
Resolved That the conduct Of the Secretary or IN. Navv
sr Bore reducing ne wages Of the IN the Navy be-
Ssarpason sasSoy SseR a.sna. 's s %
disnissa and holds him 70 the public eyecraon OF All
lag abiding, honest workingmen.
Resolved That the action Of the secrstsry OF War, Mr.
kawns IN Initiating the Infamous Of Borle
BIN bis coadjuor 10 crime and deserves ibe Of all
despos - ~
Received Tia, we ean upon all worsinsrsen from MAN.
70 hs Rocky Nountsns, 70 arise In their might demsn
The dsm ssa from those important public ofces the NAVY
ess guilty associate RAwins.
Rssolvsd That worsnsm.n bssesch the President 10
call 70 bis Cabinet statesmen sbny aud America
sympathy
Resolved, That eight hours for labor eight for res, and
eight Tor mental improvement. seem 70 be the proper division
neve IN
eve up the struggle until eight becomes The
principle In this country.
This speaker was followed by Mr.. Emmett ana
others.
Qfaaf norf ill mt IA