Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-12

W AMBs
The Tea lnessee Manufacturers ard Me
chanical ASS 'ciation met in their room in
the Bank of Ire nnessee building last evening,
Vice President Rich in the chair, and T. ii.
Jones acting as se> Hretary. a3 sIe %.
Mr.. T. NJ. Brenl. an said he thought it
was the time to move the question of con-
vict labor, and briefly stated some of the
damaging effects of whaG he considered an
unjust monopoly and encr, 'achmcnt on the
manufacturing interests of Nashville in par
ticular, and the State at large. He urged
immediate and united action on the part Of
the Association and all the manufactl urers
and mechanics of the city.
Mr.. It. III. Jones read an article from the
Banner on the subject of Convict Labor,
and moved that the hearty thanks of the
Association be rendered to that paper for the
noble and sensible stand it has taken in be
half the mechanics and manufacturers of
Nashville; carried unanimously. He thought
they should take immediate action, and be-
lieved the majority of the Legislature were
better prepared now for this subject than
ever before. 1t was to be earnestly hoped
they could get the attention of lawyers to
this most Ubiquitous and ruinous system
which is driving many of the best mechanics
from our city, and frightening away foreign
capital which was anxious to come into our
midst but dare not. -.
Mr.. j. II. Weakley obtained the floor and
spoke earnestly on the subject. He thought
the very life of our manufacturing interests
depended upon this movement. They should
strike at the root of the evil. He gave
! figures and statistics to show the ruin be-
ing wrought and the rapid timing out of
the honest mechanics of the city. Nearly
eight hundred convicts were in the Peni-
Tertiary and the number was rapidly on the
increase. He handled the subject in an
eloquent, mastery and forcible manner.
Judge Samuel Watson then made some
practical and sensible remarks and sugges-
lions which were appreciated by the associ-
alton. Col J. n. Walker, Mr.. Isbester,
Mr.. Prewett and others followed and created
a lively and enthusiastic interest in the
| meeting. Mr.. T. NJ. Brennan offered the
following resolution which was adopted:
Resolved, that Committee OF Five be ap-
pointed by the Mechanics and Manufacturers
Association, to confer with the Governor of
the State, for the purpose of taking in con-
sideration the relations existing between
the State and her me chanics and manufac-
turers, with a view to change or caused to
be changed the present suicidal system of
competition with convict labor.
The Chair appointed as this Committee
| Mr.. Jos. l.. Weakley, Col. l. n. Walker,
JudSe Samuel Watson, Capt. VIM. Stock
ell, and Mr.. T. NJ. Brennan.
On motion, 7. Fl. Jones and President
| Charles Rich were added to the committee.
| The chairman iInmediat ely called meeting
of the committee at the rooms of the Asso-
citation, at 10 O'Clock this morning..
Mr.. T. H. Jones moved that mass meet
| ing of all the mechanics and manufacturers
opposed to the present unjust and ruinous
| system of bringing the labor of con-
victs in competition with that OF
honest mechanics, be called immedi-
ately. Amended by Mr.. j. l.. Weakley
that "a committee of three be appointed
to make the necessary preparations and
announce the time and place of meeting. -
! Carried
The chair appointed T. II. Jones, John
J. McCann. and John Geiger as a commit
tee on Mass Meeting.
This committee was called upon by the
Chairman to consult promptly at the same
time with the other at the Association
J rooms at IL A. NJ. to-day.
| A motion to that effect prevailing, the
Association adjourned to meet next We'd
nesday night at 7 O'Clock, when full and
rOusing meeting is expected and desired.