Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-08-31
HAVE WE A SonnuxE AMONG rs,
The Meeting at Beuldin's Church.


Discharged StsPhenson Hand-fr Allen ccf-
fin. Of the Z" WGShiRgtOR Section" of the Paris
Commune, Demands Blood.
In accordance with a call to "The Working
men of the Fourteenth District for a meeting
'fOr the consideration of business of importance
to every nottingham" there was a gathering
OF perhaps fifty at Bouldin's Church last
night Ii is known that the attempt has been
made lately to organize a branch Of the "Inter-
national" or PARIS commune in this city, and the
chief speakers and actors last night were among
those concerned in this commune business.
The most violent speaker was Mr.. Allen Cof-
fin (white), who has recently issued a commu-
mist tract in Washington having the following
tite-page defence of the Paris Commune.
Address of the General Council OF the Interna-
tonal to the Workingmen of Europe and
America. Published by the Washington section
OF 'the International Washington, ID. c., ISL"
Another who figured prominently last night
at the City Hall labor meeting in June de-
msnded "the blood Of the contractors and aris-
tocrats."
Another who figured last night was DIR. Ste
phenson, lately discharged. by the Board of
Public Works from the position of superinten-
dent on the Seventh street sewer because of
drunkenness. IL was soon evident that the
meeting was got up, not by the laboring men,
but by few demagogues and sore-heads re-
moved from position.
The meeting was called to order by Jere.
Robertson; John II. Martin was called upon to
preside, and VIM. h. Browne was made secre-
tary.
Jere. Robertson explained that the meeting
was for the interests or the wOrkingmen, and in
opposition to the rich monoPolists who get all
the money. If their labor is worth s. per day
they don't intend to be turned OFF with five cents
and they also propose to support the men who
support them. The Legislative Assembly had
been miserable failure for the poor man. Par
ty issues will be set aside in the next election,
and the issue viii be on the labor question. If
the democrats are better friends, they will go
with them or any other party which is their
SDpaEprl pt
employ, but had 10 earn every dollar he got, but
he wanted Mr.. Cooke and Mr.. Shepherd to know
that they do not intend to work ten hours and
only get S1.50 for it. These men are beasts and
nothing more. Now let us all resolve to work
for no less tban 81.
Here Mr.. Jere. Robinson offered a series of
resolutions embodying his sentiments, but no
action was taken on them.
MIR. C. c. BIiscoe offered as a substitute a
series OF resolutions drawn up by DIR. Stephen
sonfdesrouncng the Board OF Public Works and
the Legislature, and concluding as follows:
.sResolred, That We believe, after a full, care
full perusal of Captain A. Grants letter, that he
has fully exposed to view the fraud proposed to
be perpetrated on the tax payers and citizens in
general
1.-THE milk in this coeoanut is the fact that
I" Capt. A. Grants letter" was written by Ste
The resolutions were adopted.
Mr.. Briscoe went on to state that the Board Of
Public Works had advertised in the papers tina.
all the work Is to be given out by contract
OF the workingmen.
DR.. Perry said he had been forcibly struck
with what had been said. As for himself he had
never had his palate creased by corporation pap,
but he saw tie necessity OF uniting in this great
movement. The Gentiles and the Jews both
unite when they want to accomplish an end, and
nothing but unity would do them any good.
Allen Coffin (communist) said that the labor
ing men were the bone and sinew, and that thew
pay all the taxes for the rich man indirectly;
went on to say that he pays his landlord $50 per
month for house rent; that his landlord had
figured up the cost of building the house he lives
in together with the taxes, insurance, repairs
&c, &c, and upon this calculation he charges
Is per cent on the entire outlay, which he (Cof-
fn) had TO pay him. He stated that he had been
laboring for several years-ever since he first
came to this city-in this particular field for the
workingmen. Sl-50 is not a fair compensation
for days labor. Why have the Board of Pub
lie Works not increased the pay of the laboring
men, who are in reality our capitalists? He
would not now urge any remarks OF an incen-
cease work at S1-5O per day until they were sure
OF getting more. They should try and get the
days work system introduced on all our improve
ments in place of the contract system. He COM
planned that the Legislative Assembly had not
adopted the plans he had submitted TO them in
writing on this subject of fixing by law the price
OF days labor He alluded TO the powers the
Beard Of Public Works held of assessing and
collecting special taxes for improvements at
thirty days notice or sell out the taxpayer upon
default.
Mr.. Bouldin, (from his seat -" Choke the
man who made that law"
Mr.. Coffin continued, saying that he would
Ike TO see set Of resolutions tn II would dratv
Bloodf He condemned the Legislature for en-
acting the Law making the Offices appointive in
stead Of elective; alluded to the four million loan
proposed, and said he had come to no conclu-
SONS in regard to that matter, but was going to
investigate that. He had had q great deal of
experience in strikes, and from his knowledge
would not counsel them to strike-at least not
until they can all unite. After an essay on DO
ltical economy, the mechanic arts, &c, he
closed by advising them to turn their faces to
God and Liberty.
motion was made to go into permanent
c. e. Briscoe opposed it at that time. as they
had some rare talent present, which they wished
to call out
Jere Robinson advocated an immediate organ-
ization; he did not go back on the objects they
had met for; he wanted no chinanagen
Marcellus West lot blood-thirsty fancy in
quired If there was not already labor associ-
alton in that district. Briscoe replied that il
went down with the republican club.
Mr.. Herod asked Mr.. West if he belonged in
that district, and If not, he had No right to take
West belong to the 18th district, but am
in sympathy with the movement"
The meeting then proceeded to organize, and
nominations were called for. G. G. Briscoe was
named. Voices, che don't belong to this dis
trict." Other voices. A." He does y" he don't,u
-" In bet you IS he does."1 Briscoe settled the
point by declining, although he asserted that he
did belong to the 18th district.
Marcellus West said they had better not or
ganize yet as il might give them some trouble
in the future. He was interrupted with adno-
nitiOns 10 sit down as he had no right there and
was finally called to order. G. G. Briscoe was at
last elected as president, and Jerry Robinson
vice president, William Knox Browne secretary
and John Lewis Hickman treasurer
MT Briscoe was called upon for a speech, but
declined; he called upon III. III. Tinney, who en-
tertalned the audience awhile, and closed by
nominating Z. g. Briscoe their next candi-
date for the House of Delegates in place Of Mr.
W. W. Moore.
Mr.. Briscoe, being in the chair, called yrpon
Mr.. Jere. Robinson TO put the motion; bat be-
fore this was done MIR. John X. Cutler made
speech in behalf OF Mr.. Briscoe's claims saving
that be had been a wheel-horse in the repnbli.
can ranks. Several others took UP the eudgeI
H. Dir. Briscoe's behalf, but the subject was
DROPPED without any further action at present
DR.. Stephenson discharged by the Board OF
Il ublic Works for drunkenness) then addressed
the meeting and proceeded TO denounce the
Board OF Public Works. Things are coming to
a pretty pass, he said. The question is whether
We are TO be permitted to live in the District of
Columbia or git up and git. There is an cleo
ton coming soon, and fet the question be as to
whether five men who constitute the Board of
Public Works shall grind the poor man TO death.
he question is whether we shall stay in the Dis
tr1ct OF Columbia, or git up and git to rid orr
selves of excessive taxation.
Here the Doctor took his seat with the Air of a
man W no felt dismal fore bodings as to the fate
OF his extensive property interests and his daily
supply Of corn-juice.