The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-03-06
CORRESPONDENCE.
FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
WILxiSeroS, Feb. l3, 1869.


Va, and We closed 1t BY promise to give
our impressions Of that city. First, We will
state that on The evening OF the 18th inst,
We attended . meeting Of Iron Mouiders'
Union No. l2S. The meeting was quite large.
and very deep interest was manifested BY
ell present. We feel sure that very good
results will come FROM that meeting, and
shat before long No. l2s wall stand in the
front rank Of first class unions We found as
good men in Richmond 40 il has ever been
eur pleasure to meet any where, in their
hands the union lie safe. The Union had
delegated our old friend, its worthy Treas
urer, Mr.. James Kendlar, to meet us on our
arrival and show Us the sights we there
fore, spent the most of the llth in locking
over the city. We 6rst visited the several
fouDdries, and was pleased to end trade
good in all. The only drawback Is low
wages. Times have been so hard, and work
and money so scarce ever since he close OF
the war, that wages have been kept down
II the present good trade continues, there
vii be a chance for a raise. We found one
shop where there was no admittance. The
name of The firm Is Ellengef 4 Edmond. II
any one desires to see person in their en-
ploy they must make application at the Of
fee, the person is sent for add "docked''
for the time be remains out. We mention
this by way Of free Advertisement for said
6rm.
After 'dOing" all the foundries, we Wis
tied the State House, from the top of which
We had very fine view Of the city and the
surrounding country. The location Of the
State House IS very Hne, and the grounds
about 1t, have at one time been beautiful ;
tut like the house, they are in very dilap-
dated condition. In the State House, but
not In use, We saw what to rs was a cnrlos-
~ In'ths shape a q hesang stctes nsdsis
MO, 80 years ago. # il called the Buza-
30, but We could find nothing about 1t to
Indicate we're IL was made. Its shape was
simply three square boxes set one upon an
oshsr, the lower box being the largest, the
second smaller, and the third still smaller ;
the boxes Ling connected By fiues, and the
6re being made in the lower box, which
would take about four foot stick Of wood.
To heighth was about eight feet, and every
plate and piece about il had been moulded
Ia "open sand" term every moulder will
understand.
We next visited the State Prison, which
like every thing else we hal seen, was in q
shocking Dad condition. Such dirty yards
and up side down work shops, We never be-
fore looked upon. Aside from the flthv
grounds and confused coalition of things
generally, the institution seemed to be well
managed. A considerable amount Of me-
cbanical work is done, aud quite q large
amount OF IL Tor Contractors, who pay the
State ffty cents day for the labor Of the
cO0yIcts. Tnis work, furniture, &C., s sold
In the market In competition with the W ork
on honest men, the tendency Of which Is 70
requce wages for the same kind OF work out.
ode Of the prison, to City cents q day. We
believe there are no moulders 10 thar pris-
on, but we know some who ought 70 he
there. After leaving the prison, we wen,
toisee that huge swindle upon the honest
wOrkiugmen Of the county, known as the
sFreedmen's Bureau" The officer in chars
kindly invited us into the institution, where
We had an opportunity 80 see the inside Of
lhe machine. A large namber OF pe )plx
peeeived STATIONS" while We were there
enc quart Of "sOup" and q pound of corn
Bread was served cut to each one. We were
invited 70 taste the scup, which was pro-
bounced "exeellent,a but NJ We espied a
Mage specimen Of free man. with biz
sleeves rolled up, string the soup with hi.
arm in % 70 she elbow, the sweat running
down hi. arm and bis face, aud suspicion.
lessing drop hanging on the end Of his nose,
which might nos drop out slde, W. very
politely aeclinsd "tAss,ng." The officer 10
charge ct the books, informed as that ON thu
day previous, rasions had been served &,
4t6S PsreQns, % of whom We're white, most
Women I'D children. 40 We had heard
many stories sboss these people who are
thus fsdas public expense. whl's Other 'aen
must work for living or ssars,e re .aaa,
nna9y enquiries, and learned that hundreds
~ able bodied men had come in from the
country 70 get rid Of work, and live from
the "Bareau." Hardly . day passes but
aen are in from the country IN search OF
ssods 10 work on farms, chop wood, dc,
and cannot get them. One man wantsd 40
hands 10 chop wood; after much trouble, he
seccesosd m getting ten, half OF them ran
sway oeiQrs the cad OF Q week, the balance
remained until they got their weeks pay and
tAsn LEFT u every direction men are want
ed 20 work nc MI kinds Of work. but thev
prefer 70 remain In Richmond and 1--we al tLe
sxpense u The taxpayers. The idea tia,
OPS cIass Of woskingmen shall be fed at gov
sfnsnent expense; while others must work
% sfarves 70 preposteF0us--lt 10 q swindle
- outrage prscticsd BY government. tha.
- people should ssand. We 20 for "smssh
iae the Bureau" and mailing these the las
loafers work for Lying ~ other men do
The amoant Of damage done BY he burn.
ing Of Richmond 81 the time % the evacua-
tiop, cansot b. real red without sseing Il
jass as il .. The city 10 slowly recovering,
bue it viii be long time before it 10 a. il
once uas. The location 10 very fns ons
Tor beautiful city. Richmond will never
hsvs any commercial impvgtance, but the
time 10 not far disssnt when Il will Be on.
Of the 6rst nanufsetaring cisies in she coun
ny; for this, its location 10 all that could
- desired. Running along iss whole 'front.'
u One Of the finest waser-powers in Ameri
c. running 70 uasts.' What Il wanting 10
neney, labor, ensrgy and enterprise al
these mus como there from other sscaoas,
lh6rs b aoss among the people Of Rich
nrnd bakx = Richmond towards ~
nonntain1, thsRs Is c:e Of The hne6t eoun-
13no n d uorld. unsurpassei for vko6t.