The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-09-21

hAm11pDs |
although this ID not political but social
body it is here we may learn the facts, but
it is at the ballot box they must be enforc-
ed. Justice then demands that the toilsrs
from every department of useful labor
should come together, at least once year,
and discuss those great questions that he
at the foundation Of good government and
n higher civilization Then let no trade
or useful calling absent itself from helping
to lift the toilers of our country to that
dignihed position to which their import
ance entities them. Remember that it is
the products Of human labor that replen-
ishes the fountains of man. earthly exist
ance. 1t sends the rocks to build the
commerce 1t rends its tiny roots into the
soil that the crops III due season may re-
plenish and gladden. the earth. 1t dives
into the darkened mine where no cheering |
sunlight ever penetrates to bring forth |
some Of the most important necessities Of
modern civilization. This labor then is
honorable, and it becomes the duty Of all |
thinking minds to help lift all possible |
burdens from its shoulders and make it in !
telligent, for in all useful labor theresis a
moral heroism which not only renders it |
sublime but God-ike.
LABOR BUREAU
| would also call your attention to the |
necessity for and the advantages to be de- |
rived from the establishment Of an Indus |
trial Bureau OF Labor Department at
" Washington, to be called Department of
Labor. Ali interests have special repre-
sentatives, with the exception Of the great
est and that is labor. As most of you
know, there was a bill introduced at the
last session of congress, looking to this
end. 1t was not what the friends of this
movement wanted, but nevertheless it was
step III the right direction, and after a
noble fight by some and bitter opposition
by Others it passed the lower house but
failed III the Senate. | therefore recon-
mend that a committee from this body be
appointed, with instructions to prepare a
petition TO be circulated among working
men for their signatures, asking for such
Department of Government, and that the
said committee be authorized to present
the same to Congress.
UoOLIE LABOR.
/ would also call your attention to the
growing importance Of the subject of Chi
nese or Coolie labor While we cannot OBJ
ject to people from every cline ENGRAVING
to our shores, we ought not to be silent on
the subject of the importation. Of hundreds
Of thousands Of these people by souiless
corporations, for the sole purpose Of en-
riching monopolies, and thereby destroying
the rights Of the producing classes.
EIGHT HOURS
The subject Of eight hours as a days
work Is also worthy your careful considers-
/ ton. For some time 1t has been the law
in the government workshops and navy
yards. 1t has been proven beyond a doubt
that the government is not the loser there
by, while the workman is the gamer. 1t
has also been proven in the Australian
colonies that the adoption Of this system
has materially assisted the workingmen
in the social, moral and intellectual scale.
New schools have been built and filled by
these very people. Their labor has become
more valuable. being assisted by superior
education, education too that they could
not have possessed but for the adoption Of
this system.
HOMES FOR woRKINGMEN.
also wish you to give special attention
to the subject Of Homes for Workingmen.
There is nothing, in my opinion, that so
people as the owning Of some place they
can call a home. Every vine planted EN-
belishes and beauties home and cult
Yates tastes which has a refining and ele-
waiting character.
COOPERATION.
The subject Of Cooperation is one on
which hope vow will bestow your atten-
tion. and that strong recommendations may
grow out from this body in favor Of its
adoption IN every department Of labor
where practicable.
ARBITRATION.
There is yet another and important sub
ject demanding your attention, and that Is
the question of arbitration. In my judg-
ment, no more important question than
this can for the present, at least, engross
tic attention Of the American mech anic.
1t rs true that strikes are frequently not
only justihable, but necessary, but let us
prove to our opponents that we are unwill
ing to resortto them, until all other means
for an honorable adjustment have failed.
|, therefore, trust that this subject will re-
ceive that consideration at your hands
which its Importance demands.
And now gentlemen l have brought be-
fore you the leading questions as | see
them for your careful consideration. If
others should suggest themselves to your
minds, let them with mine be discussed
with candUr and fairness looking only to
the uplifting Of the masses whose toll alone
can make our country truly great.
Yours very respectfully,
r. +. TREvELLICK
The Treasurer then presented his report,
which was accepted.
/Mr. Cameron, of Illinois, then presented
fthe following resolution which was unani-
mously adopted
ReSoIced, That committee Of three be APP
pointed fof which Mr.. A. Nj. Foran, Of the
CoOpers' International Union shall be one, } to
open a correspondence with the Presidents 81
the various State, National and International
| Trade and Labor mons, requesting them to
meet in conference with the officers Of the
National Labor Union, at such time and place
as may hereafter be designated, to take into
consideration the expediency Of calling
National Industrial Congress, whose primary
object shall be to discuss questions Of a non
political character, Of which We would sug-
gest the following
LIST. How to secure the adoption and en-
forcemeDt of the Eight Hour system.
I'd. Cooperation it means and how
to secure its successful application to manu-
featuring enterprises.
Sd Coolie Labor-The duty of the Amer-
can workingmen in the crisis.
4th. Is il practicable to organize National
Board of Arbitration
5th Homes the best means to secure
them
The subject was discussed at length by
Messrs. Irevellick, Foran, Sylvis, Sheldon,
|, Fay, Manly and Cameron, when ON mo-
ton the resolution was adopted, and
Messrs. Cameron, Trevellick and Foran
5were appointed as such committee.
The question of appointing committee