The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-07-01


Freeman streets Quite a lagre sssemblage boil
: of union and non-union men were present. Mr.
Randolph, secretary of coopers union, No. sev er
/ took the chair, and stated briefly the object 0
the meeting. The endeavor to enforce the ten
hour law under the jurisdiction Of the union
has met with persistent and determined oppo-
! sition both from workmen and employers. anc
some Of the men we're growing tired Of the con
test With the hope Of infusng new energy
and determination into the minds of the mem
bers the meeting was held.
The first speaker was Mr.. A. G. Cameron. ed.
itor of the WORKINGMAN's ADVOCATE He be
gan by calling the attention of the coopers to
the fact that without a perfect union. the
could accomplish but little, and that if the ev-
er expected to carry out the ten hour rule or
any other rule, they must not allow themselves
to become discouraged. God helps those who
help themselves" should be their motto, and
if after putting their hands to the pillow, they
should turn back, no name would be 80 appro-
pirate for them as towards. Far better would
it have been for them never to have had an or
ganizAton at all, than to allow il to GO down
now Far better 'that mill stone we're hang
iug about their necks" than to 20 back to the
degraded position they occupied previous to the
formation Of the union. The case of the pIas-
terers Of Chicago who some wears ago bad an
efficient un.on, aud received five dollars per
day as wages. Thinking that they could main
i'm. Az
and expense Of keeping up their union, they
4 sbanJsd, and what is their condition now !?
Many of them are nov getting the magni6-
cent amount of one dollar and fifty cents per
day AID this Mr.. Cameron thought was Just
one dollar AMI twenty-five cents too much
Trades unions he thought, should not be ag-
gressive, but should employ their power for
defense. most appropriate motto for them
would be that Of The volunteers Of Scotland
Defence, not DefIncc." Trades unions were
the creation Of necessity. W,rkingmen were
compelled to combine to protect themselves
\ against the encroachment of capital. The his
try Of all ages had proved this to be the case
and the necessity existed in this country as
much at the present time, as il ever had exist
ed in any country or at any period Of the
worlds history.
Capital has 10 idea Of ma snlnImity. NJ in
stance was on record where the wages Of work
iugmtn had been Voluntarily advanced, except
through fear that tie advance would be de-
mauded and obtained if it was not voluntarily
I given. II worAiug men desired to better their
condition they must first place themselves in
position where they can demand All increase O.
~ages-,hen they will get it-not otherwise.
I M Cameron said that at the Battle OF Wa
terlUo, when the French Cuirassers charged
against the British squadrons, when the ranks
we're filed and the squares perfect, the French
could make no impression upon them it was
like charging against wall; but where there
aa> a break in the squares the Curassiers rode
through them, dealing death on every side.
Ju=t 70 il VAS in the conflict between labor
capital Wherever the unions we're per
.-cJ-no break in the ranks-lt was not posi-
DE tor capital to make any impression upon
tAel, but where the ranEs were b.oAen, they
we've q The mercy Of their employers.
In conclusion, the speaker urged upon the
COOP ers tile absolute recessity Of maintaining
{ cir organization instead Of giving it up they
must strye TO strengthen il; each man must
become Home Missionary among the mem
bers OF his craft and do all in his power to
bring new recruits to tile union.
1 Mr.. Walls next took the fonr, and gave a
short but very interesting sketch of the diff
culties which Jcset the molders, during tie
early days OF their organization. He drew a
graphic picture Of the strike in Philadelphia in
1855, which led to the crgauiza,iUn of union
No. l of Philadelphia, aud also Of the great A.
bany strike in 1859. and con r,ssed the condi-
ton OF the holders Of Ih,se two localities at
the present time, with what it was previous to
the years above mentioned Then they had
helpers for every journeymen, more apprentices
in the shops than journeymen, and worked for
store orders instead Of money, besides being
compelled - enter into contract to work one
year for their employers, certain amount Of
wages being kept back, which was conGscated
in case tie contract was broken. Now these
things were all Gone away with. The coopers
OF Cincinnati had none Of these things to con
tend with Their troubles were of a different
IA ure, but by presenting united fIout to
their employers, and making their union eff
cient, and above all by being determined at all
hazards to ask for nothing but what is right,
and submit to nothing that is wrong, they
would eventually overcome all their difficulties
and be able to look upon their organization as
the peer Of any ia the land
The remarks Of Messrz. Cameron aud Walls
w-re well received, ami frequently interrupted
with applause.
The union then went in.o secret session, and
all the non-union men prrsen: came forward
and we're initiated into the union.
MEErING 81 the TRADES AssENBiY.-A regu-
lar meeting of the Trades Assembly was held
IN the evening Of June 26lh, at their hall,
Vice President Randolph ia the chair A bare
quorum VAS p:esett
lengthy scussion was bad on matters
connected with the picnic. Mr.. Allen, chair
nan OF picnic committee made no report
resolution oflrred by Mr.. Walls, declaring
the WoRKINGNAN's ADVOCATE the official organ
Of the Trades Assembly, vas unanimously
adopted.
Mr. v ais gave notice that he would at tie
next meeting offer an amendment to the By
Laws, changing the time Of holding the mce;-
iugs 10 once a month, instead Of once a week
Mr. Gist spoke in favor # the proposed
ane, d neut, as be thought until the next me, t.
ing Of the Legislature, monthly tings would
b. sufficient.