The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-04-03


do. The wages paid mechanics, maehin-
lists, furniture, &C., range from 90 to t12
per week, the average approzimating the
least Of the two fguSes. Payments Of wages
are nsde semi-monthly. three days pay
beng invarisbIy reserved for some reason
which the frm fails 20 deteil. Several hun
dred men are employed in the works, and
the firm thus enjoys the interest upon
half of each mechanics wages during six
months out Of the twelve, without rem
dering him either an equivalent or an
explanation. Most OF the employees are
Germans, recently from the Fatherland, and
because Of their natural ignorance Of
what their labor 10 actually worth in this
country, are quite tractable, and very easily
imposed upon. TIE national trait Of these
people, frugality, the universal simplicity
Of their dress and food, and their habit OF
guaging their wants by the share OF profits
accorded their labor in the home country
leaves them very pliable tools III the bands
Of designing capitalists. The foreman of
/ the establishment is more than an ordinarily
/ intelligent German is said 70 be % receipt
Of quite a liberal percentage for the Sval-
liable" services he renders the firm. lie IL
represented as n very mediocre workman,
and his duties are principally confined to
keeping the works stocked with cheap i'm
ported labor, practically posted. But how
| ever intelligent these men may be As Ger
mans, or as mechanics, they are ignorant 0f
our language, manners and customs, and
until they become at heart partially Amer
icanized, they must Of necessity be huge
and almost impossible stumbling block O.
the progress Of reform The foreman, in
pursuit of his "honorable' calling, is IN
constant communication with thar pestfer-
Gus centre Of rSdisting destitutiOn, ''Castle
Garden" Foreigners are led, By the will
FOL misrepresentation OF agents VI American
capital TO forsake the homes Of their nativity,
huddled together by hundreds in the "sweat
boxes " known packet ship steerages,
subjected 10 such barbarous treatment as
was developed in the examination Of the
charges recently made against the officers Of
the "James Foster, Jr.," Of inhuman cruel
" to emigrants and crew, and at last
heart-sick, body-sore, and without money.
friends, other refuge, they are compellet
10 subsist themselves, and, probably, a half
such wages as is paid BY the mess sellers.
The members Of this firm are exemplary
church -goers Of the Broad Bfm persuasion,
and when the spirit moves them-If ever a
good spirit cOndescends to come into con-
tact with their miserable carcasses-they
whine and pray with forty -parsou power
, for the welfare Of the poor and oppressed
deprecatlng the restitution which poverty
entails, with their breath, and fostering Il
; BY their nggsrdly schemes. The sale OF
Joseph BY his brethren was one Of the first
commercial transactions recorded in histo-
nv, and from that day to this, man has been
: engaged in selling his fellowman in the vain
hope Of Purchasing his peace with right
eously wTathful Providence with the profits
, realized thereat. Pass the " Skinners "
around.
The carpenters engaged in the re-erectian
; Of the marble block on Chestnut street re
Gently burned, went on Ike on Monday
for an increase. Result unknown.
The ingram carpet weavers At their meet
ing on Friday last, made large addIuOns Il
: their membership, and elected officers FOL
! the ensuing term.
The carriage bolt makers anticipat,
trouble and are preparing for H. They pro
pose beng properly fortified by the timi
the attack commences.
The plumbers union met in confereBc,
( Friday evening. with 3 number Of employ
ing plum oers, TO determine upon the mucA
mooted apprenticeship question. No decis
ion was reached The union proposes a Sc
Q ries Of rules which forbid any employees
! having more than one apprentice to eact
journeyman. Tue apprentice must not b
tabove log years Of age, and must serve a
least five years. If an apprentice is pre-
7 vented from finishing his trade BY the dealt
' or failure Of his employer, he shall be allow
ed toFnish it in any other shop which may
require his services. A book Is TO be KEEP
open to the public inspection, in which u
! % be recorded the name Of any apprentice
: who shall be discharged or voluntarily leav'
his employer before be shall have thorough
ly acquired his trade These are wholesom,
restrictions, and promise 70 receive the sane
! ton Of both parties interested.
Yours, truly, c. Ben. j.