Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-05

|
| fcer Of the republican state convention, men
toning, especially, the references made by Mr.
| Hoar to the labor question. Mr.. Hoar's name
was received with decided marks of approval
Mr.. Cummings read Mr.. Hoar's bill, which has
passed the national house of representatives and
| lies among the unfinished senate business, pro-
viding: That there shall be appointed by the
president, by and with the advice and consent
of the senate, a commission of three persons,
who shall hold Office for the period of two years
fromithe date of their appointment, unless their
duties shall have been sooner accomplished,
who shall investigate the subject Of the wages
and hours of labor and Of the division Of
the joint profits of labor and cap
ital between the laborer and the capitalist,
and the social, educational and sanitary cOndi-
ton of tie aboring classes of the United States,
and how the same are affected by existing laws
regulating commerce, finance and currency.
Mr.. Cummings stated, as the reason for thus &C.
cupyirg the time, that a resolution would be
presented during the day, based on the bill of
Mr.. Hoar, and he desired that the delegates
might vote understandingly on the matter
Mr. Chamberlain, chairman of the committee
ull IGsOlhllpuSt lNlOllth AuS lOhVNAllS 90 NV
platform for the convention:
We affirm, as . fundamental principle, that labor,
the creator of wealth, Is entitled to all it creates.
Affirming this, avow ourselves willing to accept
the final results of the operation of principle so
radical, such as "the overflow of the whole profit
making system; the extinction Of all monopoies;
the abolition of privileged classes; an extended
rather than restricted franchise; universal educa-
tion and fraternity; perfect freedom of exchange;
and the best and grandest of ALL the final Oblttera-
ton of that foul stigma upon our so-oaled Chris
tian civization-the poverty Of the masses" Hold
ing principles radical these and bearing before
mind an ideal condition so noble, we are still
aware that our goal cannot be reached at a single
leap. We take into account the Ignorance, selfish
ness prejudice, corruption and Generalization of
the leaders of the people, and to large eX-
tent, of the people themselves but still we demand
that some steps be taken in this directions therefore,
Resolved that we declare war with the wages syS-
tenn, which demorazes alike the hirer and the
hired, cheats both and enslaves the working man;
war with the present system of finance, which rObs
labor and gOrges capital makes the rich richer and
the poor poorer, and turns republic int an arls
tOcracy OF capital; war with these lavish grants of
the public lands to specializing companies, and
whenever in power we pledge ourselves to every
just and legal means to resume all such grants here
tOfOre made; with the system of enriching cap
alists by the creation and increase of public inter-
est bearing debts.
Resolved that we demand that every facility and
all encouragement shall be given by law to coOpera
tOn in all branches of industry and trade, and that
the aid be given to the cooperative efforts that
has heretofore been given to railroad and other en-
work q first step. and that eight hours be the
working day of all persons employed ut the public
expense. We demand that whenever women are
employed at the public expense, and do the same
kind and the same amount of work as men perform,
they shall receive the same wages; We demand that
all public debts be paid at once in accordance of the
terms OF the contract, and that more debts be
created. Viewing the contract importation OF
coolies as only another form of the slave trade, we
demand that contracts made relative thereto be
void in this country, and that no public ship and
no steamship which receives public subsidy, shall
aid in such Importation
The committee also reported the following
resolutions, intended to express the sentiments
of the convention, but not included as por-
ton of the platforms:
Resolved that no class can fully understand or
| Justly appreciate the condition of another class.
Hence no class can be trusted to make laws for an
| other, and consequently we look for complete sue
| cess only when the workers, those who work with
their hands, take their seats in the Legislature and
at the council board.
Resolved, that the thanks of this convention are
rendered to the Hon. G. +. HOar for his timely and
able efforts to secure the appointment of national
commission to investigate the relations of capilal
and labor and examine the question of the hours of
labor, and respectfully ask his further aid in our
movement.
After listening to the resolutions, the convcn-
ton adjourned till half past one.
Soon after that hour, Mr.. Phillips raped for
order and the committee on credentials brought
| in their report. A somewhat dlsorderly dis
| cusson enSued, after which the preamble to the
| platform was unanimously adopted, when the
remainder of the report of the committe was
laid on the table, in order to proceed to an in
| formal ballot for a candidate for governor.
| Tickets were distributed, bearing the names of
| Gen. Butler and L. NJ. Chamberlain. Mrs.
Emmie A. Lane, of Lynn rose and, amid great
| excitement, asked how the convention could
consistently vote for Butler, after the speech
made by that gentleman in the Worcester con-
vention. This was bomb shell in the conven
ton; mingled cheers, Kisses, yells and all sorts
of conflicting cries rose in all parts OF the hall
Many Of the delegates rose, and stood on the
seats, shouting in the widest and most dSor-
derby manner. Alternate cheers were given for
Butler and Chamberlain; hats were thrown
into the air, and in spite of heavy rapS ON the
chairman's desk, and loud calls for order, the
din continued for some time.
A delegate-"Will Butler accept if nominate
ed?"
Another-''We don't care whether he will or
not" (Great confusion and three cheers for
Butler, with three more for Mr.. Chamberlain
Mr.. Cummings finally obtained the floor, and,
in spite of repeated interruptions, stated the re-
suit Of a recent interview with Gen. Butler, the
purpOrt of which was that the general would
not accept the nomination if rendered
Mr.. Taft, of Worcester-"Has General Butler
ever declared that, if elected governor, he would
not scrVe?'
A voice-"Thafs the question"
j. G. McCready of Boston took the platform
to speak in the interests of Mr.. Chamber
lain. Renewed disorder enSued, when Horace
Munroe OF Lynn rose to a point of ORDER stat
ing that he understood Mr.. McCready was
member of the republican party, and, as a dele
gate TO the convention at Worcester, had worked
for Mr.. Washburn as candidate for governor.
This statement provoked renewed excitement,
but Mr.. McCready was allowed to continue.
The first resolution was amended by striking
out the words: employed at the public ex-
pense." Mr.. Reed Of Worcester offered, as an
amendment to the first resolution, the resolu-
ton previously offered by him. This was final
ly amended SO as to read:
Resolved, that we demand the ballot for woman.
The resolutions were again laid on the table,
to listen to the report of the committee appoint
ed TO count the votes Of the informal ballet,
which was as follows: