The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-05-27


meeting of the Coopers Of Cincinnati was called
for Friday evening, May 10, for the purpose Of
receiving Mr.. NJ Foran, President Of the Coop
ers International Union, and also to endsavor
to bring about Q revival in the trade. The
meeting was not largely attended By non union
men, AS it was hoped it would be, in conss-
elence CT man who had been appointed to
distribute hand bills through the different shops
having failed to perform his duty. When the
time came for him to distribute the bills his
if he did not stay and mind his own work, and
he stayed. Consequently due notice was not
given of the meeting, and very few but union
men attended. There was q goodly number Of
manifested in the proceedings
At the appointed hour the meeting was call
cd to order and Mr.. Foran introduced.
He said that he was on his way South on a
tour Of inspection and organization, and had
taken Pittsburg and Cincinnati on his way
Last night be was to have spoken to q mass
meeting Of Coopers in Pittsburgh, at which 500
persons we're present, but owing to a change Of
the timetables on the Cleveland and Pitts
burg R. R. Of which he was not aware, he did
not arrive in IPittsburg until 10 o'clock at
night, when the meeting was over. On the
heels Of this Notifying failure, comes another,
equally notifying, tonight. If he we're easily
discouraged, he would give up the remainder of
his trip and return home but be proposes to
keep on, and hope for better luck next time.
His special object in going South was to or
ganize unions in New Orleans, and Galveston
where they are badly needed, and in such 9th
er localities as may offer.
This meeting was not intended for union men,
but for those who are not members. What he
had to say was to have been said to them; he
wished to explain to them the inestimabie ben
e6ts of the organization, and to sndeaVor with
al the earnestness Of which he was capable to
induce them to join hands with their fellow
craftsmen, and help build up an organization
Of which all might be proud. In this expecta-
ton, however, be was disappointed, and had
only to bear bis disappointment with the best
grace he could.
He had also hoped to have found some en-
ployers present. Boss CoOpers. through igDO-
rance or cuPidity, had been making a hard 6ght
against the organisation, on the ground that it
was an engine Of destruction, directed at them
and their interests He wished to see them, to
talk to them, and to endeavor to eradicate this
idea from their minds. He believed that the
interests of employers and wOrkmen should be
identical, and could be made 60 Capital in
this matter rushes to an extreme. It says men
shall not organize for their own prote ction, or
if they do, they must be punished for is. The
bosses practically say, I'VE don't care for the
welfare Of our men, we want to m Ike money"
Very well; let workmen say, +" our bosses sare
Us through coordination adopt eucn measures as |
will iDure to our benefit and comfort, socially,
morally, and otherwise, without any reference |
10 our employers. Let them manage their af-
fairs, we will manage ours" Personally, and
As union man, he would much rather see a |
good feeling exist between employers and men,
han the present bad feeling, and would do all |
be could to promote such measures a. would |
bring about different state Of affairs. He was
sorry no employers we're present a. be desired
70 reason with them.
The Union il now passing through a trying
ordeal in sndeavOring to adopt the ten-hour
law throughout the organization. This was ths
Rrst great move ever made by the union to
elevate the condition of its members, and it
bade fair to be successful everywhere He
would net dwell upon the evils Of long hours,
they were apparent to every one.
In conclusion, Mr.. Foran stated that after
other speakers had addressed the meeting, q
regular meeting of the Union would be held, to
discuss matters of vital importance, and he re-
quested all members to remain
Appropriate remarks we're made by Aessrs.
c. q. Tucker In German, and E. N. Davis and
John Flanagan ia English after which the
meeting ad journed to 60 into secret session.
Quite q number of members Of the Trades As
aamhlV ware preseDt at the meeting