davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
THE TRUE VIEW.

The general conference Of the New
York Methodists enunciates some
wholesome truths, not the worst OF
which is the following extracted from
it's decision upon the question Of re-
tanning the bible in the public schools
All admit that education is essential to the
intelligent exercise in a free country of the
rights of cit senship, and to the preservation OF
our free and tolerant Government hence the
American doctrine that the State owes an edu
cation to al its children as an obligation and
not "a charity, and each child his right to
demand from the State generous and unseC
tlrian education, such shall fit him TO be q
citizen of free and tolerant Republic.
The American doctrine is claimed
to be, that the State owes an educa-
ton to all its children as an obligation
and not as a charity" This is certainly
the doctrine in which our free school
system had its inceptions, yet the
wealthy would seem 10 consider that
the education of the poor mans chill
dren at the common expense is a charity
of no ordinary dimension, for which
he should be profoundly grateful. But
the latter is only the doctrine Of ignor'
snce and prejudice, entertained by. q
class ofmen who believe, that like kings,
they derive their right to rule from the
Divine authority. Two many working
men are prone to accept this view Of
the matter, which is to de deplored, fol
the reason that it cultivates spirit O
servile Dependence of meek submission
greatly unbecoming those to whose in
dustry and intelligence this world owes
all its greatness. 1t is the poor mans
right, not his privilege, that he shouiC
have equal and exact treatment under
the Government with his wealthy
neighbOrs.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
THE MOULDKRs CHARTER.

On our fourth page will be found
an act recently passed by the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature, incorporating the
Moulders' International Union. 1t is
the first recognition by law of any
national body Of workingmen, in this
county at least. The act retains all
the distinctive features of the constitu-
ton of the body, as regards represen-
tation it also recognizes the existence
and the right to exist Of every local
union in the county, and is in our opin-
ion-and we have read it carefully-as
nearly perfect as an act of the kind can
be. As we believe, under all circum-
stances, of giving credit to whom
credit is due, we would be remiss in
our duty, did we fail to state that it is
to the able and indefatigable exertions
Of Mr.. Fl. J. Walls, the confidential as
sistant of the lamented Sylvis, and the
Secretary of the National Labor Union,
that the moulders at large are mainly
indebted for its passage.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
PUBLIC LANDS TO AID PRIVATE
! SPECULATIONS.

4 Hon. Fernando Wood in course of q
speech favoring free trade, took coca
sion to speak in trenchaDt terms against
the proneness of Governments to inter
Here in behalf of private enterprise at
the expense Of the whole people. Upon
the practice Of giving the public do
main in such immense tracts for al
ileged purpose of internal improve
ment," he was especially and deserved
ily severe. We make the following
lextract:
! In almost every case Of this kind a few
lneedy, interruptions specult tors are the OHly
participants in the benefits Of the gift In one
distinguished and recent instance great cor
poration obtained both land and money under
the pretext Of the construction of great enter
prise of national merit and necessity. Il first
obtained from Congress an enormous gift Of
land, and subsequently a subsidy in money
sufficient to pay the whole cost Of construction
and not content with these gratuities, it is said
that an application has been made to the De-
partment Of the Interior for an additional sti-
pend on some pretended grounds Of merit.
/ There has been hundreds of millions given to
encourage steamships AID other private enter
| prises where no other benefit was given in re-
turn except to those who were pecuniarly inter
ested. Millions were expended during and
since the war to prOYide shelter, clothing. and
education 10 colOred freedmen, not one dollar
of which could have been rightfully taken from
the Treasury. This was q shameful abuse of a
public trust, not only because Congress has no
power to distribute aims, but also because II
on class however meritoriOus, haI the right
to receive such faVors others Of like restitution
at the North certainly must have the same
right.
The much to be deplored difficulty is
that few seem to comprehend the
magnitude of these gifts. As partially
indicative of this, the Commissioner Of
the land office has officially informed
Congress that $4,000 are required to
complete tie surrey of lands granted to
aid in the construction of the Union
Pacific Railroad. This money is re-
quired tor such lands as are confined to
Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. The
power which conferred the bill to these
lands upon this corporation, had no
more right to dispose of them in that
or in any other way, except to actual
settlers under the Homestead and Pre-
emption Acts, than has the Legislature
of one of the States. Is it to be won
dered at that so much corruption exists
while Congress is permitted to perpe-
trate such infamies unreproved ?
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
MEANWHILE, April 70

mEADVILLb, hP'H
70 the Editor Of the woRKmoMArs ADVOCATE.
In compliance to an appeal for funds
to carry on the good cause, find en-
closed Postofice order for &..46 Is .
response from the Ancient Order q
United Workmen of Meadville. This
sum is a collection taken up last even
ing when the circumstances Of the One
at headquarters were made known n
behalf of the Lodge. allow me to "l
they have done well, inasmuch % We
are young as an order; but not, HOP
in the noble cause. Our members |"
men Of the true stamp, and WILL ."
long, vindicate their strength.
Please continue the subscnPa@
of club from MeadvilIe. don't thnI
any Of our men will 60 back on VI
old veteran ADVOCATE. We will be 3d.
to forward you a larger club Ia dr
or two.
w. w. Walker and master wOn'
man of Ancient Order of United "O'a
men, and William Sully, President
Machinist and Blacksmiths' Unlon' NJ
working up q club with much emery,
We feel that the press must oe wi
ported If our cause would nou',.~
With the death of our Advocate ~
the cause which it uPholds
Let all who read understand u'e ~
portance Of this fixed fact IVY
Co-WORKn
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30

terests, and let US not stand idle. Re
member tn il room enough for all is
a good old adage.
THE CANMAKERs.
Although the Tin Can Bill, (not the
Tin Law Billy is abolishing the manu-
facture Of oyster apd fruit cans in the
Penitentiary, passed the Legislature,
and is now law of the State, yet the
directors of that institution have an
inclination to test the legality of it.
They claim, under technioality in the
bill, that they have the privilege Of
under certain conditions.
L. A. Jumart, however, will get after
them with q long pole, and as pre-
Iiminary step, has called mass meetings
Of all the canmakers in the city,
with q view to recognizing. They
now have an excellent chance to form
a strong union, and have things their
own way, if they will only do it.
Yours etc., VERrrAs.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM ILLINOIS.
BAArDwooD, April "a, 1871
Editor Of the WoRK,row, 0'V'

DnAiDmooD' April "a, 1870
Believin" that you are ever
and willing to denounce the vron /,
trust you will publish The foIlors: :
piece Of petty tyranny practiced Il III
town upon the miners. For S.
years past the miners of BraidvooI
have contributed so cents TO II. o..
tary Fund, to be used exclus;v.lu
tie benefit Of the sick and a;s.L m
This fund has Of course been disDeO"u,
under the supervision Of IT, 1 ~
themselves. Since the strike howa wv
the superintendent, a fellow D,neI
Whitcomb, has without explsn.s ie'l
doubled the fee to $l.OO, and nov '' J.
rogates to himself its entire con,.l
While all the men believe this ID ~
high-handed outrage, to their shsna
be it said, they have not the maDH .'a5
to protest against it, for fear Of hs;Ou
discharged.
But this is not the only ground !,
complaint The truth is this Wh;,
comb" is the petty monopolist '' ~
Braidwood, his cooperation and D,,'
nership being deemed Indispensable i
ensure success in any enterur;.s
Messrs. Ross, MillIner, Bennie AMI
Grey, being virtually compelled \
close their stores, because il ww NJ
derstood that the miner who failed -
patronise " Whitcomb and Brothsr's
store, had a very slim chance to rct,;D
his situation. 1.-THE company are aIira
to their best interests they will n,
pense with the services Of this Detiv
tyrant, who has made himself AZ
noxious to every miner in the district
and replace him by a competent hoDo,
able workmen I; and my word for L
strike at Braidwood will become !,
gerry rare occurrence. Yours truly,
"A MMER
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM WYOMING TERRTFORE
SALT WELLS, April Is, 1870

DALI w ELLIS April 20, 1870
70 the Editor Of the woRKEoHAH's Advocate.
Believing your heartfelt sympathy
for the workingman, and everything
relating to his welfare, | trust you viii
grast q FIVE minutes conversation. |
believe it my duty to caution all brother
workingmen from coming here expect
ing to get work from the Wyoming
Coal Company. 1t seems to Be thr
policy Of the superintendent of SAL
Company. for reasons which / shall IN.
deavor to make clear, to keep q cur
plus of hands. Parties have been shp.
ped out here from Omaha, and found
themselves deceived; they were H.
debted to the superintendent for
passage money S62.2U; compelled to
pay a board bill Of $500 per week;
no work and sS2 miles west Of thp
Missouri River, in a barren, treelrs.
waste. This, Mr.. Editor, has been Ii
case in more instance than one. VIII
remains to be done? but Just what
am endeavoring to do-to warn nj
brothers in necessity from believing
the reports spread by designing fl
lows, in reference to this region, an
leaving prosperous, and happy hon
in the East, with the advantages Of
church aud school-house, to live here ID
the wilderness.
We have here what il called CON
pany store, where everything Is KEPT
from flour down to whiskey; and !
company boarding house. There are
besides, two stores kept by gentlemel.
who are willing to sell goods At barely
remunerative prices but we must
patronise My store" The penal!
for disobeying this edict is disgrace and
Punishment several were discharged
lately for holding this commandmeut
in contempt altogether. With these
disadvantages let me add that Last
month we worked but four days, owing
TO dull times. The demand for coal .
limited to what the u. r. Il. Go. uses
1t is safe to say that the prospect tora
summers work is slim" Now Dr.
Editor, is it not our duty to let thOst
concerned know how matters stand
here ? ]. u.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30

there can be no conservatism. There II
n4thing so radical as right. II is
blow aimed at the rights Of those who
alpine have any rights in republic
tile producing CLASSES, and we are de-
I'd rmined the truth shall be known.
| The following, from one of the most
nj fuential journals of San Francisco,
will, perhaps, throw a little light on
tile nature Of the blessings they have
conferred on that section ofthe country.
III referring to the plea that labor is
sdarce, it says:
b" We want immigrants, Indeed, while We
hdve nearly two thousand strong and healthy
MIN paradinz our streets, anxious to procure
work Of any kind at almost any wages, with
csFe and hunger depicted on their wan faces.
Itiis sight to move the heart of the coolest
blboded mortal in the world, TO see these poor
people, who have been reduced to q state Of
pdnury by the presence here of o hostile race,
who have, by undertaking them, taken away
tte means Of their subsistence-to see them
mpting along peaceably. yet earnestly, and
With keen anxiety, seeking word Of hope, Of
cdmfOrt, or cheer.
II at is q fact easily
susceptible Of demonstration, that there would
MT be a single white lsboring man necessarily
Idle in the city Of San Francisco TO day, we're
nyt the Coolies here to compete with them.
Figures can prove this incontestably, and II any
one chooses to ceny our statement, we shall
willingly demonstrate it. The Chinese are eat
i1g US out of house and home, they are under
uioing our prosperity, driving our working
men to desperation, and, az surely as they are
heather, they will prove the ruin Of our coun-
Try If steps are not taken BY legislation to pre-
Ient such a calamity"
Yes, and we will see q similar state
Of affairs existing in every city in the
Union, unless prompt and effective
steps are taken to nip sas1evil in the
bud. We trust, at the next Presiden-
,iaI election, to see the working classes
j unit on this question, despite the pro-
tests of our correspondents.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. April lG

w ASHINGT0N, IL. u, April l6.
To the Editor Of the woRKmGxAx's ADVOCATE
The eternal Tariff Bill still occupies
the attention Of the House. Day ses-
sions and night sessions are devoted 10
the perfection Of its monstrous provi-
sions, cunningly devised to rob and op-
press the toiling millions. We put
blinds over the eyes Of the young and
spirited horse, to prevent him from
seeing the load he is expected to haul
up hill and through difficult and miry
places in the road. The object seems
to be TO prevent the dumb brute from
seeing any way out of the mire except
in straight, forward direction, or to
hide the size of his load, that he NAV
not baulk upon the hillside.
The tariff corresponds to the blinds,
and the poor toilers of the United
States to the horse in the illustration.
The people would baulk, and the
wheels Of government would stand
still or run backward could they but
see the unequal and unjust burdens
they are made to bear by this iniqui-
tous system of taxation, a system
gotten up in the interest of corruption
and aristocTacy. We require men who
embark in industrial enterprises and
employ laborers in the United States,
to pay Is or 20 per cent. interest on
the money they employ and then TO
enable them to compete with foreign
who pay only p per
cent. on the money they use in produc-
ing similar articles or wares, we impose
duties upon all products manufactured
with money at p per cent This is
called protection to American indus
try, which would seem to be somewhat
ironical. For I cannot see how pro-
tecting the greedy money-lender or
usurer of the United States is any pro-
lection to American industry Well
Mr.. Editor, on some other intelligence
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
Eight Hours in New York.

The Eight Hour Law recently passed
by the Legislature of New York, has
received the signature Of Governor
Hoffman, who has also ISSUED . proels-
nation for its enforcement. We pub
lished it in full some months since.
The following is the vote by which il
passed the Assembly:
AYKs-Messrs Ainsworth, Allaben, Alvord,
Baker, Bennett, Bergen, Berry, Blair. J. Brown.
" P. Brown, Burns, Campbell, Carey, Cava
nagh, Cook, Coon, J. T. Davis. Droll. Flagg,
Flanagan. Flint, Franklin, Frear, Graham,
Green, Hssbroack, Hathaway, Haver, Hen
Messy, Hustled, Jacobs, Jerred, johnson, Jones.
Kilhsm, LsEoree. Lawrence, Littlejohn, Low
cry, Lyon, Maddox, MARITIME, Merchant, Mitch
ell, Mooney, Aoseley. .. Murphy, W. D. MUIR
ply, Nachtman. Nelson. Oatman. Patrick,
Payne, Pease, Plunkitt. Roman, SsnbGrn, Sell
kreg, Sleight. SHIPPER. Speaker. Tent, Van
Steenburgh, West, White, Winans, Young-6S.
NAYs-hessrs. Blossom, 8. L. Brown, But
terield, Cullen, Delano, Deming. Dimmick, Ely.
Hewitt, Horton, Hull, Miner, Palmer. Parker,
Rsmer, Snow, Steele, Walker, Wilson, Wood.
Wrigbt-24.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
Whv we are Poor,

The London Economist in Its issue of
the End inst, speaking of the money
mark. , says:
1.-THE enormous amount Of interest which has
to be received by the holders Of United States
Governmt mt Bonds. will shortly begin to dow
into this and other European markets. More
over 30 regards cotton, aud any other produce
We may have had from that side, the probabili-
ties are In favor of the bulk Of it having been
paid for"
Is it any wonder we are poor, when
it is considered that we pay such enor-
nous tribute to the wealth of other
countries, simply because we persist in
the retention of the most odious money
policy conceivable.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
WASHINGTON, D. c., April el.

w AsH1NGTON, -. ", apTu Il.
70 the Editor Of the woRkxaxAx's ADVOCATE.
THE NEXT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or CAN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. PoR GENIUS AND MEcaAS-
Ics-rHE GEORGIA QUESTION SoRrH
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Very wisely, in our opinion, your
paper Of the 10th inst. gives as some
good words-both editorially and by
extract from another paper-in regard
to the presidential contest of 1872, in
which it is predicted that the next
President will be elected by the Work
ingmen of the Nation. This can be
done, if the laboring men, of all classes
will bravely and harmoniously unite in
voting for a true and tried man Of their
kind, and not trust to the nominations
of the old corrupt parties; neither Of
which has ever done anything, directly,
and with genuine regard for their rights
and welfare. This subject is worthy
of the careful and profound thought of
every mechanic and other laborer, and
it should be well deliberated upon by
all, previously to the next meeting of
the National Labor Union, the approach
ing autumn, at Cincinnati, which will
be an eminently suitable and favorable
time for us to make nomination of
candidates for President and Vice.
President, when there should be no
stified or packed expression, but fair
free and logical solution and determin-
alton of the question.
In discussion to-day, in the House
of Representatives, Of the bill for the
Patent Office reorganization, favora-
BILE word was uttered in behalf of in :
dustrious genius and mechanism, BY
Hon. Mr.. Cleveland, Of New Jersey,
where he insisted that the fees of the
Patent Office should be as light as pos
sible, and the smallest possible tax levied
upon inventors, and that a revenue to
the Government should not ne extorted
from that useful and industrious class,
who are not often men Of surplus
means. They exert their best minds
and efforts, in long weary labor and
application of days and nights, to
make improvements for the benefit Of
mankind, and should be taxed but
lightly for patents.
The tone Of the Senate to-day, mani
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM MASSACHUSETTS,.
BOsTON, April Is

1VSAO<sD <AEnAL -
70 the Ednss Of the woaxnexASs ADvooArn.
Another great evil in our present
government system is, that the people
has no power to recall their represen-
tatives, as soon as they prove unworthy
Of their choice. Before being selected,
all the candidates for Office are talking
everything for the people, and every
thing through the people but as soon
rs they have succeeded in reaching the
crib, they act in great many cases,
just the contrary, and we have to stand
their treachery until their term is run
out
Some pretend, when the Working
mans Party will come to govern, we
will see the same abuses, and perhaps
worse ones, but to prevent those evils,
we have to amend the Constitution.
We have the experience through our
present Legislation, that the privileged
class never will pass q law against their
own interest, and the same case would
be with bill ordering the recall of an
unworthy representative. Therefore,
/ would put the Workingman's Party
in mind, as soon as they come in pow
err, to amend the Constitution, 50 that
the constituents Of bad representative
have the power to recall him by an alb
solute majority Of the vote.
Another important amendment to the
Constitution is the Referendum, as it is
used in Switzerland.
For nearly q century at least, in the
several Cantons Of Switzerland, it has
been the custom to submit all local laws
of minor importance to the people, for
their approval or rejection: and the
people are So well satisfied with the
working of this system, that so recent
ly as the 18th Of April last, four Of the
Cantons. namely, Zurich. Thurgan,
Lucerne and St Gall, adapted new
Janitorial Constitutions, wherein it is
provided, that twice year, and oftner
if necessary, the whole body of the
people il to be convoked to approve or
annull any fundamental changes in the
Constitution, and all Laws or Concor-
dats agreed upon by the Grand Con-
sell. Thirty days before each General
Assembly, every citizen is to be furn-
ishM with copy of all the laws to be
voted, the people to vote aye or nay,
and the absolute majority to decide.
If, then, the REFERENDUM as tins
system Of Legislation is termed, works
50 well in Republican Switzerland, why
10 it not equally practicable in Demo
cratic America? Let it be tried.
Perhaps the true solution of the labor
problem may therein be found. 1t il
possible that poor mans ballot might
thereby be made more ~thsn an equiv
alent for q rich mans dollar, and that is
NIL it is necessary should be done to
emancipate labor from the thraldom of
capital. G. A. p.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM CALIFORNIA.
SIERRA CRY, April


r. the sditor Of the woRKsssAEs ADVOCATE:
l saw the name of your paper many
months ago. and sent for copies to a
newsdepot in San Francisco. 1t had
no such paper. I am told that there
are more than twenty newspapers pub
lished in the United States, devoted to
the Labor Reform cause. Singular that
l have never seen but one-yours. /
would consider it to be my imperative
duty to subscribe for papcl devoted
to the cause, Of labor reform, could
get to see one that came nearly up to
my standard, and not only to subscribe,
bat also to induce others to do 20.
Please send me your paper, that
may Judge Of its quality. IfIlike it, I
will not only subscribe, but procure
you the names of others who think with
me, that unless la5orlng men arouse,
and unite in their own defence against
the encroachments of combined wealth,
their case will soon be pitiable one.
You have no idea how deep and wide
spread the dissatisfaction IL in the
minds of the laboring masses, with the
present drift Of affairs in the United
States, with giving away the inheri-
lance of labor(the soil)to soulless incor-
porations, in tracts of empire extent
with the present Legislation in favor Of
capital, and against labor, and here in
California, with the continued failure
of the State government, and refusal of
the general government, to protect
them from the degrading competition
with the low priced labor of China,
which is being imported to this coast.
/ will write You more at length soon.
Yours, ETC., DIR. A. J. G.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM MARYLAND.
RooNsroRo MINES. Apr
BALTIMORE, April %, l87
To the E'Iitor Of the WoRKIsGAAS's Advocate.
A FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY.


TO the Eiitor oftbs WoRKnaNAs's ADvooArE.
A FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY.
Between the hours of three and four
o'clock Thursday afternoon, the good
people Of our town were thrown into a
state Of intense excitement by the
report that a woman had killed a child
at Primary School, No. Is, Jefferson
street. People Immediately flocked to
the scene Of the murder, when it was
found that instead of one child it was
found that
A MOTHER HAD MURDERED HER FOUR
CHILDREN,
by cutting their threats, and then at
tempted to take the life of her own
mother. 1t appeared in the evidence
before the Coroner's inquest, that Mrs.
Marsh, the mother Of the children, went
to the school and asked the teacher to
allow her boy, which is the oldest of
the four, to come home, alleging that
his grandfather wanted HIM. The
teacher objected to allowing the boy
to leave school before the regular time,
but the mother persisting in her de-