The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-05-07
A PRRTRNTTOUs HUMBUG.

himself w. s., writes for the purpose
Of informing us that no reformer con-
nected3 with the labor movement has
contributed an idea to the material,
moral or intellectual interests of the
working classes" and that he has failed
to find anything in THE ADVOCATE.
tending to their elevation, or rather
completing with his special ideas.
In nswer to all of which we have
an indident to narrate, leaving our
critic to make the application. The
morning the news was flashed over
the country that Andrew John
son, President of the United States,
had b. Zen impesched, we were on our
way tb Decatur, Ill. As a matter of
coursd, every one, Democrat and Re
public Ian, expressed his opinion on the
iusticd or viIlainy Of the proceeding.
Among those who attracted most
attention were an old, shriveled,
positive gentleman, Murray McCon-
nell, Of IlIinOis), and q burly six foot
or. who announced that he was n
" member of the Minnesota Senate. "
After INDUCING in expressions more
forcitle than polite, Mr.. Mcconnell,
while! denouncing the action Of the
House. stated that the trial would be
depriE ed of its pGytizGn character, Is
by I lie Constitution, Chief Justice
Chase would be the presiding officer.
-" NoAesense, nonsense" contempt
ously, responded our Western repre-
sentative. 81 claim to be as well
acqugi nted with the Constitution as
any living man, and have never
been able to see a clause or section
making any such provision" No
matt$r what you know, am correct, =
was he bursque rejoinder. / don't,
or a ant SO understand it," again
chimed in Minnesota. All! that il
God Almighty's fault, not mine why
didn't you say SO in the first place
and i should have known how to ad-
dres9 YOU" again snapped ont old
Mack, as he wrapped his cloak around
him and cast his eyes over the prairie.
W. S. does not deny that We have
advoS ated the adoption of q none
tary system, whereby the lsborer
woue ID receive the reward of his labors
the establishment Of mechanics in.
stitutes cooperative enterprises; the
shortening Of the hours Of labor the
dista ibution Of the peoples heritage
to actual settlers only, &c, &C., but
contends, that the adoption of any
and all of these measures cannot In
any way tend to their benefit or add
aneement As we have no desire to
mis3epresent our correspondent who
we Understand, occupies q somewhat
pro- Dinent position, we prefer to lei
HIM express his own ideas in his own
way. After declaiming against the
use of intoxicating liquors, which, by
the WAY, are INDUCED in a great deal
moa e by the wealthy than by the poor
er classes, he says:
Re (the mechAnicl, must not become
-msktsH II any ygcFgt sCcisty, for the reason
that. both his time and money 10 spent In con
nec4on with these associations, without q
sinde corresponding benefit All leagues and
combinations where men bard themselves to
RetAer for the ostensible purposes OF coopera-
tod and self-protection, are alike detrimental
to Rhe best interests Of the great class proposed
70 be benefited. These unions are also ex-
perAive, they promote strikes, and thereby en-
geridsr idlsness without efecting any per
ma Aent benefit"
Which demonstrates beyond q perad
We ture, that he knows nothing at al
abbut what he is undertaking to en-
tighten others. The man who states
that Trades Unions have as a rule en-
gehdered strikes, is an ignoramus O.
thu first water. NV. SIS statement 4
correct, the american Union must Be {
fr4ud Co-orERAT1vE effort has made
usi what we are. But as we have NJ
ti1he, nor desire to handy epithets, w
desire to refer him to the examination
before the Trades Union Commission
recently published, and as we have
sEare copy, we shall be very happy t.
furnish him one, free of charge. N
ss.tOr ultra creptdGm.
| IA protest against the system Of hf
i,isurdnce, follows. He says:
i'' The workiDgmAn allows himself 70 Be vic.
tiInized under the spacious plea Of duty to BIZ
dear wife and Understanding must b
| lgft for their support when he is dead auC
gone, Men Of education, and even ministers o.
tie Gospel advocate this mode of providing fol
! p4eterltYs II you were " oeA1No AusuS Ancs
men. the father must die first, and leave
wadow and children TO be supported BY the
sem insured on bis life. II is clearly The
dh.y Of the wOrkingman to educate his family
id habits of industry, Undue them with the
principles of a sound morality, founded on q
phre Christianity. Repudiste oil the cheats
aid swindles under the gArb Of philanthropy
Sn secret societies-Aasons, Odd Fellows, and
IA fine all associations cAlculat ed to employ
phrt Of your precious time"
| On the contrary, we say the work
ingman who fails TO provide for his
wife and family, by insuring in a
responsible company, neglects his
plain and imperative duty. Thou
lands Of families who have lost their
protector, and who, but for the fore
blight that should distinguish ever
husband or father, would now be de