The workingman's advocate., 1871-05-13

4
10.
A large and enthusiastic meeting Of the
vorkingmen OF Cincinnati, was held on Wednes-
day evening Nay Sd, at the Fifth street Mar
ket space. The meeting was called BY the
Trades Assembly, to protest against the coniirr
nation By the City Councils Of Jno. E Bell a.
supervisor Of the work-house. The day had
been showery, and at six O'Clock In the even
ing drenching rsia vas falling. leading many
to fear that NO meeting could be held. But
during the day all necessary arrangements had
been made, gas fixtures representing stars and
rings Of gigantic size had been attached to the
supply pipes for the Esplanade Of the Fountain
square, q stand had been erected, ana at the
appointed time an immense audience had
gathered together, TO sanction BY their presence
the efforts Of the Trades Assembly 90 defeat the
eonfrma lIon OF the most obnoxious man Ia the
work-house ring.
Mr.. r. P. Bradford President Of the Trades
Assembly. called the assemblage To order, and
briefly stated the object of the meeting. He
then introduced the first speaker
ME- .. H. DAVE
M. Davis began by stating that he spoke In
behalf Of the shoe makers, being shoemaker
himself and proud of it. He disclaimsd all
personal feeling towards Jno T. Bell. bu.
placed his opposition 10 his confirmation on the
ground Of his hostility 10 the interests Of work.
ingmen and their employers, and to the best
interests Of the city. Through the inserumen-
sAlity Of Mr.. Bell the bills known as the "inia-
brought before the Legislature, and bis Efforts
60 have them adopted were untiring. As the
| head and front of this obnoxious legislation
he opposed him, and not on personal grounds-
Mr.. Davis then presented some statistics Of
she work-house for the consideration of the
meeting. lot Of ground 26 acres in extent
had been purchased tor $1,000 delIars which
Was not worth one third Of that sum. Then
buildings we're erected at q cost Of $50, 900 dol.
lars, and the expense Of running the institution
since 1857, made . grand aggregate Of more
than $4,000 dollars The gross proceeds from
all this great outlay, amount 50 far 70 l70O
dollars Ar. Davis claimed that the work
house would never be a financial success, that
under the circumstances il was An impossibility
that it ever should be 50, aud that il would be
a burden ou the people for all time TO come.
la his frantic efforts to make the institution a
pairing one, Mr.. Bell had introduced the work
house bills, ard he appeal W tine City COun-
ellis to defeat his confirmation, assuring them
al - II -. kua
membered, if at any future time they came be
fore the people for Office.
The remarks of Mr. Davis were listened to
With the utmost attention, aad at their eonclu
sion the Chairman introduced to the meeting
MR. LARKIS AcHUGH
Mr.. Nc Hugh gave graphic and entertaining
AecOuat Of the movement against the work
house bills, from the time OF their reception in
the brain ol Mr. Bell, to the present time. he
described the different bills, and their provi-
sions, aud the trouble that was az fret sx-
Perienced in obtaining . sight Of them. Mr..
Nc Hugh was one OF the seven delegates who
vent to Columbus to dispute the passage OF the
biIls aud told how they we're fought inch by
inch until by dint Of figures and facts that
could not be deuied, they finally succeeded in
making favorable impression on the minds Of
a majority Of the members Of the Legislature. |
The Board OF Directors did not dare to meet
the delegates at Columbus, had not the courage
TO meet them face 70 face like men, but after
they had returned to their homes. then the
Directors sneaked up 70 Columbus, and by
misrepresentation sought to remove the i'm
precision the wOrkingmen's delegation had made
So far the movement against the bills had been
emineEtly successful, and he trusted that all
the efforts Of the Directors would continue to
meet with as little success a. they bad thus far
met with.
Mr. Nc Hugh stated that lie Ssd visited the
Psnitentiary while in Columbas, ana il fully
satisfied him that one such institution was suf-
cription Of the hospitals, work shops, and all
the paraphern alta of the prison. He learned
while there that the contract sys IN Of convict
labor had succeeded in the last ten years in
completely running the indus rial and manuiac-
turing interests Of the city Of Columbus. No
honest manufacturer could possibly compete
with cOavict labor, as the result had proved;
So far as its industrial interests were concerned
Columbus might as well be blotted from the
map Of the state. And just as convict labor
had ruined trade in Columbus so would it do In
Cincinnati II the efforts Of Mr.. Bell and such 40
him could result from his policy. Their finance
system was commented upon, and the efforts Of
Mr. Bell to place the work-bouss funds under
the exclusive control Of the Board Of Directors
was stigmsti as an attempt to create a sub
City Treasurer was fully competens to hold the
custody Of the city funds and the Council by
appropriation could provide for al the wants
Of the work house.
He, In conclusion, appealed to the working.
men to watch the papers Of Friday porning.
and make note Of how Councimen voted SO
as to remember them hereafter.
Mr.. 81. J. Walls was then introduced and
read the following reso.a.ions:
WBERKAs, The Board Of Directors of the
City Work House Of which Board John 4. Bell
f, is President, did during the present session Of
the Ohio Legislature have introduced certain
bills against the best interests Of sl who labor
for a living, and
WHKsEAs, The Workingmen Of this city have,
since the introduction Of said bills, been engag.
ed At considerable expense, in resisting the
passage of said bills, and
WHRREAA, The said job q Bell has again
been nominated to fill thr /esponsible position
position of DirecIo off IWOrk House, where
he can again engsg a efforts to force the
passage Of legislat 4 injurious 70 the honest
lsbOrer and his en- pioysr, Therefore be it
Resolved, That We the Workingmsn in Mass
ting Assembled, do solemly protest against
the confirmation Of said John e. sell, and call
upon the City Council as the direct representa-
tivss Of the people to refuse TO confrm said ap-
pointment,
| Reanlxed That a ennx of 49, .aaoln4ion.