The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-09-03
Report OF ths Kxecutfv5 Tor ths Stxts'
of New York

Congress, by Mr.. Alex. Troup, exc
cutive Of the National Labor Union
for the State Of New York:
NEw YORK, August -, 1870.
To the Officers and Delegates Of the National
Labor Union;
Having been appointed BY the Pfesideut
Of the ~ l.. u, as the Executive Officer
Of the State Of New York, for the purpose
Of carry x out and furtbering the principles
Of the organization in that State, pro
pose to lay before you statement Of my
doings, together With the progress =. lie,
and to offer such suggestions as have forced
themselves upon me during the year as far
rs my knowledge goes and from what l
have gathered from others, considerable
dissatisfaction was manifested throughout
the City and State OF New York, ia refer
ence to a number Of persons who were
permitted to take seats as delegates in the
last session Of the National Labor Union,
and ShO took very prominent part in its
counsels, and fears were entertained, and
opinions expressed that this representative
body Of working-men was fast drifting
into the hands of partizan politicians. i
was dissatisfied myself, and did not hest
tate TO express my feeling, and deHounce
in unmeasured terms the admission Of parties
who in my opinion claimed seats in the
Union. either for the purpose OF notoriety
or for the Influence, they would Obtain
from il to carry out some hobby of their
own. This matter was fully discussed in
New York City, and Tor time it appeared
as ii an effort would be made to organize q
new Association, and keep the partizan
politicians outside But wiser councils
prevailed the Platform Of Principles was
endorsed, aud as far as l can lsars
generally accepted it being thought that
more injury would result to the working
men, were we to secede from it than il
We remained, and en6eavoured to correct
the abuses that had crept out Of this agi-
tstion. A Committee was appointed by the
Working men's Union Of New York tc
investigate the doings of the National
Labor Union, and to take steps to call a
mass meeting Of the working-men Of New
York City. A wide difference of opinion
existed in regard to the duties Of thai
Committee. A meeting was held a
Cooper ms ute to give expression to the
views Of the working-men, at which tbs
following resolutions, among others, were
adopted:
WHEREAS, Both Of the existing partie,
are corrupt, serving capital instead Of labor
assuming the control Of the masses By
means Of conventions, rings, caucauses, anC
defrauding them in place Of being tb'
servants Of the people; hence the necessity
OF organizing a new party for the bette
preservation of the Government Of the
people, aiding the honor and dignity Of th'
republic, and maintaining the prosperity o
the country.
ResoiUed, That we, the workingmer
Of New York City, in mass meeting a
Cooper Institute assembled, recognize
the new organization known as the Labo
Reform Party, organized on the platform
Of principles adopted by the National LabO
Union, shall make it the duty OF ever.
member thereof to sever all combination
with the existing political parties, and no
support any candidate who does not who'll.
represent the principles contained IN tn
Labor platform, and makes it his duty t
enforce the same and urge the immediate
necessity Of organizing in thei respective
districts for the purpose Of sending repre-
sentatives direct from the ranks of labor b
represent working men in the councils o.
the Nation and State.
THIS Committee continued tbeir--(absr
(or at least a PARTON oRtbsm), for out o
twenty eight representatives representing
twenty eight organizations in the Working
mems Union, not more than eight or tel
ever assembled after the mass meeting
The fall elections being close at hand,
Committee from the Arbeiter Union, con
sisting Of one from each organization repre-
sented therein, was appointed, and thl
Committee from the Working mems ant
Arbeiter Unions we're known as the join
Committee. the members being represen
tatives from the various Trades Unions
This Committee undertook to make noml
nations, and endorse the nominees Of othe
parties throughout the city and county
This action Of the Committee met with on
siderable favor among some Of the working
men, while it was vehemently denounced
by others, your humble servant being Q
that number; and taking the ground tina
the resolutions passed at the mass meeting
to sever all connection with the existin,
political parties, they both being corrupt
that it was very inconsistent to endors
their Guinness, or to crafty the ambition O
aspiring working men whose fidelity to th
movement consisted in being elevated to
fat Office. Tbs movement resulted in
6ssco, the professional politicians being abou
as badly sold as the working men who wer'
nominated for position, proving coDcluslvel!
that the wOrking-men we're not in favor witt
the movement.
While this programme was being carried
out at the solicitation Of the State Centra
Committee Of the Labor Reform Party 0
Massachusetts,, | visited that State to aiC
on the stump in presenting the PrinciPl'
Of the National Labor Union to the people
Of that State, and induce them to vote fo
the candidates of the Labor Reform Party
While there in company with the Presi
dent Of the National Labor Union, tbt
dissatisfaction il New York was fully
talked over, and the dOings Of the join
Committee closely scrutinized. A few dayi
before election | received a telegram from
the Assembly District in which l reside in
New York, requesting me to speak at q
mass meeting there, to present the claims
Of a candidate running for the assembly
Having engagements in Massachusetts, to
~ Al r. Al =