Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-26

national Union.
The International Union of Machinists and
Blacksmiths, composed of delegates from
all the different States are now in session ut
Albany, New York. The first DAVIS pro.
ceedipQs was confined for the most part TO
the reports of ofiicers. The address of the
President, Mr. Tebrenbach, Is quite lengthy.
As many members of the, Union in this
city wiz be interested In its perusal, we
mske the following extracts: i,
You are here as representatives of me-
chanical interest upon which the progress
the very existence of civilization depends
a mechanical interest that has done much
to place the United States foremost among
the nations of the earth, and make ours the
most prosperous and thrifty people
upon the face of the globe; me-
chanical interest that constitutes, the
basis, the foundation of nearly every branch
of industry. In every workshop where the
hum OF industry is heard, upon the broad
and fertile, prairies of the great west, in the
coal and precious metal mines, deep In the
bowels of the earth, in the forests that
echo with the sound of the woodlands axe.
upon our beautiful rivers and lakes, upon
the gulf, upon the heaving bosom of the
Highly Al 10OS, UACtCFCl ClflllZAbIOH
has spread its blessings, there the indelible
stamp Of the blacksmith's hammer and the
file and chisel marks of the machinist can
be found. Hand in hand together they 90
forth, showering blessings upon the inhabi-
tants of the earth. The followers of Vnl-
can and Watt have contributed more to the
enjoyments, comforts and happiness of our
people than any other class of mechan-
les. They have done more TO add to
the wealth OF the nation and enrich
our citizens than all the so-called
statesmen our country has ever produced.
Men who have contributed little or
nothing to the real wealth of the country
have amassed large fortunes, while our me-
chanics, the real source of all wealth, have
accumulated nothing, but are, on account
of their divided condition, compelled to
labor hfor the enrichment of those, many
of when are of no earthly benefit, but
merely an incumbrance upon the industry
of the country, and drones in the hive, who
produce nothing, but consume the greater
portion of the produces of honest labor.
Their hands are seldom stained by honest
toll, yet through our ubiquitous laws of dis
tribution, they are enabled to rob the la
borer, clothe his family in rags, drive his
children into the workshop without any
learning, and leave them little hopes of at
tanning any, since their poverty bars the
gates Of education against them.
This is one evil that calls loudly for re-
form; and to the men who produce the
wealth, and not the drones who consume
it, is allotted the task of eradicating it.
The hardy add smoke begrimed toiler be-
hind the snvll, and the man with brawny
arm and muscle by the wise, must grapple
With this giant evil and rest not until they
can retire beneath the ig-tree of peace and
happiness, with the proud satisfaction Of
knowing that the greatest curse that ever
afflicted mankind has been blotted out Of
existence.
But while we hold in view the interest
and well being of our fellow laborers, let us
not forget our immediate mission; let Us
not forget our own constituents; let us not
forget the men who make the implements
that enable the tiLer of the ground to make
the earth yield in abundance; let US not
forget the men who build the reaper, the !
mower, the loom, the sewing machine, the |
printing press and steam engine, the great |
est civilizers Of modern times. Let us not |
forget, then, the men who build the worlds |
machinery, which has done so much to |
tighten the burden of mankind. Let us !
not forget that while these men enable |
of our fellow-citizens to amass
large fortunes, that they are the poorest |
paid mechanics in existence. Let US re-
member that the labor performed by the !
men we represent upon this floor entities |
them to better reeompenSe than they at |
present receive. Let US bear this in mind, !
and endeavor to shape our legislation so as
to remedy, as far as possible, the evil COM
planned of.
In his address be alluded to the subjec
Of strikes as fellows:
would recommend the abolition or mod |
ification of the law governing 'strikes." |
The law, as it now stands, is at best but |
an instrument of destruct ion in the hands |
of our enemies. Rash and inconsiderate |
unions too often take advantage of it, and |
very often plunge the whole organization |
into state of excitement through precipi= |
lated and uncalled for strikes. There |
should be some restrictions placed upon |
unions. They should not be |
permitted to legislate upon questions Of |
general character-questions likely TO in /
vOlve the entire! organization. As the law
stands at present, subordinate unions
are permitted, without even consulting the |
union, to legislate upon ques-
ions of general character, such as the
hours Of labor, wages, apprentice system,
ETC., when such questions properly belong
% the international union. During the last
ERIN we had six strikes, all Of winch were
brought about through The rash and in
,onsiderate action OF subordinate unions.
am fully convinced that so long as
unions are permitted to act
of the international union We
will have trouble in keeping down strikes;
md so long as unions are permitted to
trike against whatever they may term
grievances, we will not become 'thorough-
y organized" 1t should be made unlaw-
Ill for any unien to embark in strike for
my purpose except against reduction OF
wages or prescription of our members by
employers. Even then it should be made
Unlawful unless the constant of the interna-
iOnsl union be first obtained. If We can
ucceed in protecting the organization
.ganst precipitated and uncalled for strikes,
thorough organization" will be insured.
z ou, therefore, plainly zee that by the en-
Ictment Of wise and judicious legislation
lpon this question, you will open straight
,ath that will lead us unobstructed to q
onsumation of the objects enunciated in
be platform Of oCr organization.
-S go.