The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-29
THE LABOR STRUGGLE.


Since che absurd and clumsy platform Of
resolutions has been adopted aud promulgated
~ the Labor Congress az Cincinnati the cues
ton has arisen in many minds IS to wheth-
er the needs and requirements Of the laboring
men have not been already 50 fully and care
fully provided for that further legislation in
their behalf is almost impossible, and, there
fore, separate party in their interest quite IN
necessary
A homestead Law has been in force for a mum
Der of wears, by means OF which any man can
secure himself a home without money! simply
by selecting and living upon the land certain
length OF time, With the right to choose the
same from any lands remaining unsod anywhere
on the public domain
By she laws Of most Of the States. the home
stead, and generous amount Of household
articles Necessary FOR the support Of a family,
are exempt from exemtioD, and thus guaranteed
to him so completely that they cannot be taken
from him for debt, whatever may be his mis-
fortune, or FIR Ehstcver cause he debt may
have been incurred.
BY the laws of a lsrSe NJ uber of the States
free schools have been estabI shed, by means of
which school houses are built and furnished
and competent teachers employed and paid. so
that the laboring man can have his children
educated without cost
The price OF labor, like the prcl Of ANYTHING
else, is regulated according to the quantity and
quality in the market, BY the law OF supply and
demand but the lsborer has a right to ask the
highest price he can get, and to continue with
others to get a higher price, and, when the price
has been agreed upon, the laws already estsb-
lished will compl the employer to pay the
same.
Ii the laborer be a mechanic or a skilled ar
: ~ 4 l.. -.
him lien for his pay upon the house or the
boat he has been building, and this lien is al
lowed Wbc her be has labored on it personally,
or has furnished materials which cost him labor
elsewhere thus securing bis pay against any
contingency.
Journeymen and common laborcrs have the
same right 10 vote that other people have and
there is nothing to prevent them from holding
any Office from Constable to President, the same
as cther mon. Abraham Lincoln commenced lie
a common laborer, and General Grant has
labored with his hands to earn his daily bread
Now, when the laws of the land are so liberal;
when the government gives a home to the la
boTer Who will live on it, and guarantees tina:
home against IL BITS and the reverses of fortune
tducatcs his children without any cost for
tuition compels the employer 70 promptly pay
the price agreed upon, ct the time specified /;
and gives him IN equal chance in the race OF
life. IN every conceivable way, il looks to US as
if he could have but little to complain Of.
Up to 1900 there was race Of people in our
country doomed to perpetual labor, who we're
denied all the rights aud privileges herein
named, and twice IS many more but, thanks
to the Republican party, which has enacted the
greater share of the laws for the good OF the
laborer. aud which ALWAYS aims to be on the
eide Of liberty, justice, and impariality, the re
strictions have been taken from that race also,
and the above named rights and privileges are
guaranteed % all Who labor.
There now, We working men and
women (the Tribune don't seem to know
that there are any working women,
what are you making such fuss about?
Can't you see that you have really
nothing to complain of?
You carpenters, cooPers, cabinet
makers, cloth measurers, printer, book
binders, saddlers, GLACIERS, cutters, iron
founders, bakers, shoemakers, taiIors,
millineTs, dress makers, school teachers,
housekeepers, and mothers, &c, &c,
&C., don't you see that you can all
have a home of your own without
money" that your children can all be
educated without cost" that you
have right to ask as high price for
your work as you can get, that your
is compelled to pay promptly
the price agreed upon (? don't you see
that this generous government" gives
you all these fine privileges simply"
by quitting you trades, turning pioneer,
and going away off into the wilder
ness, and living on piece OF land that
hadn't been taken up, nor sold, nor
given TO railroad spectators, nor
claimed by any body; which piece Of
land must necessarily be at least ten
miles from any railroad or school
house, and where there are no en-
ployers either TO lire you, or to pay
you LOT your NorN'
Those of you who have learned
trades, or have any special talent
for artisan or artistic work Of any
kind, and are therefore wholly I'M
fit to get your living on piece of land,
why you can't have home, because
you know that your wages can't sup
port your family, and buy home in
any city or civilized place, but don't
you see that you have nothing 10 com
plain of, because you know that You
IAN 60 and lire on piece of land, that
Is if You don't starve or freeze, WHICH
would be very apt to kill you.
OF what use are all the beautiful
homes in Oregon or Idaho to workmen
and artisans that live right here in our
midst ?. Would the Tribune like to
send all our city workers to find homes
IN the Rocky Mountains, and have all |
bis fancy work done in Englon1.
Would he like to import his house, and
ais store, and his coat from England
n English vessels
Yewho work cunningly and deity
With your fingers, why are You not