The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-09-02


liar to the trade of boot and shoe making
in each instance they proving successful
The Second Annual Session Of the GranC
Lodge of the State of New York, Knight.
Of st. Crispin. was held in the city of Syr
acuse, April 5, 1870, the session continu
ing four days, at which twenty seven Lodg
es were represented. BY thirty-two represen,
tatives. Edward Martin, Of Rochester
delegate to the Sixth Annual Session Of
this Assembly, submitted report Of The
transactions, which was endorsed by the
State Lodge. Resolutions were adopted
indorsing the action of the Assembly, also
in opposition to the contract system Of labor
in our prisons and penal institutions and re-
formatOries. Mr. VIM. M. Burr, of Cort-
land, was elected a representative to the
present session of this Assembly.
LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS are progressing
most satisfactorily, and have fine organi-
cation Of its character. They, as class Of
workingmen, entirely hold aloof from any
participation in the latOr movement, except
so far as it directly interests their individu.
al organization or its members. They do
not seem to recognize the fact that they
Torn part of The great army Of workers,
but on the contrary appear to repudiate any
and all Of our measures by non-intercourse.
The mistaken idea seems to prevail with
the Brotherhood that all our trade o-ganiza-
ton are combinations for strike purposes,
(tO which they are Opposed), and that on
ly, and not for the amelioration of those
who labor, be their occupation what it may
our real purpose). One necessary re.
quirement of the members of this organiza-
ton is most commendable, which | heartily
endorse, and wish it were more generally
practced by all classes of workingmen-
and that is sobriety. Recognizing the To-
comotve engineers as body Of working
men, at all times communicate with their
divisions, the same as all other organ ia
tlons in the State but, unlike other organ
izations, seldom receive a response, except
it be from headquarters, at Cleveland,
Ohio.
LOCOMOTIVE FIREStEN, whose head
quarters are It Schenectady, in this State,
have an organization modelled after the
B otherhood Of Locomotive Engineers, but
not so numerous in the number of Unions
or membership. The organization has
done mnch to elevate the iiremen as a class,
but does not lenl its influence to assist in
the elevation Of workingmen generally.
Their Unions, like the divisions Of the
Brotherhood in this State, receive recogni-
ton from this State ork;ngmen's Assem-
bly,. They, too, have adopted the selfish
policy of pon-intercOurse with other organ
tiols of labor.
MACHINIsTs' AND BLACKsMGrHs' This
organization in the State of New York has
il no wise retrograded. While some
U Mons have ceased to exist in some locali-
ties, others have been organized, which
promise to become an honor to the organi-
zAtlon and earnest supporters Of the cause o.
labor III thi- stare. Inc Unions at the
cities of Albany, Rochester and Buffalo
are not exceled by those Of any other Or
ganization in the State. Some changes
have taken place in the government of the
organization, and | am assured an ernest
effort will be put forth in the spring 10 or
ganize the machinists and blacksmiths of the
entire State. We hail such an institution
with pleasure. and exclaim, 50 mote il be.
PLAsTERERs.-Like other trades con
nected with the building interests, the plas-
terers organizations have suffered from the
dull times; in addition to which an earnest
effort has been put forth BY the employers
to destroy the organization. As conse-
quence am unable to render as favorable
a report from this branch Of trade as it has
been my privilege to do o. former ocea-
sions. Recently have learned that the
existing organizations are being reOrgan-
lied on different basis, that will give more
stability to the organization, and more
thoroughly unite the men Of the trade for
future acton.
PAINTERs.-Tbis numerous class Of
workingmen, who have been somewhat dis
throughout the State in conse-
Guence Of the demise Of the National Union
OF the trade some three years ago, are now
engaged in recognizing on a secret basis.
Considerable spirit Is manifested among
the craft, and a determination seems TO pre-
vail to extend their organization the length
and brea lth Of the land, and to create na-
tional organization secO nd to none in the
United States