The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-12-21

San Francisco, Cal, Dec. 8.
To the Editor Of the woRkNsxAS's ADVOCATE.
have read your articles on the necessi-
ties Of organization with much pleasure,
and propose to offer few remarks in rela-
ton to that particular subject, which you
can insert i'll your really valuable paper, if
consistent with your notions of propriety ;
for hold that every editor il the judge Of
what 5 best to be published, and no one
has q right to complain, if his contributions
are rejected.
IN REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT,
where the people are supposed to govern
themselves, equality before the law should
b. the primary object Of Every good citi-
zen. This in name, may be effected by
political parties that is, all classes may be
huddled together under imaginary princi-
pies, or underlined ideas, 50 as to make the
ignorant forget their own interests, and
sink them in the advocacy Of some one po-
htical party. The merchant has certain
rights in legislation, but his rights should
not work a wrong to lawyers and doctors,
nor should either of them be ignored
because they are minority classes. Yet if
they or any other class have no complaints
to make, or rights to claim, representatives
of other classes will not know what to do
for them. So it is with
MECHASHs.
Such men are from morning until night in
their shops, constantly producing some
thing for the benefit Of their country by
attending to their own business. They
have no time for lobbying Or Lntton-holc-
ing representatives by which to secure their
rights ia the necessary legis latiOn for their
protection.
Thousands regret they took no part III
the election of such men feel aud think
,ts they 10, after the election Is over. The
mechanics and other workingmen are the
Iarye majority of those who vote but,
because they have not the means to pay
election expenses, and the wealthy have,
their interests and wishes are not even
secondary consideration.
WHY Is THIS
The answer is at hand. they are not organ
lied 30 as to give expression to their opin-
ion or desires. They have no spokesman
to take up and advocate their cause, no one
in meeting with opposition for
the saAe of the principles covering the
rights Of his class. We are told that men
will not unite in association. We know,
that all men will not, some on account Of
one thing, and some another, but the lead
ing objection Is that it costs about fifty
cents per month, and takes them out at
night once a week. With men who do not
work by the day and 60 home tired and
sleepy, this would seem to be . very himsy
excuse, but it is not 50.
sLEEP Is AswEET RESToRER
after a hard days work, and when he has
a large family, is getting light wages, and
not regularly employed at that, even fifty
cents per month IL some money TO him.
But is there not some way by which, N
class, the mechanics may be heard without
sven that much sacrifice We think there
is one. One of the faults in such organiza-
tons are that their meetings are too open
opponents are always apprised Of what il
going on il the proceedings are enthusi-
Astic and likely to operate in favor Of the
they suppress the news if they
find the associations in depressed condi-
lion, il is heralded forth, a. the dying
smbers Of hope on the tradesmen's sacred
altar.
WHAT THEN IS THE RRMEDYf
Experience after all is the beat teacher
Way back in the dark agss Of the world,
this question had to be met. When the |
directed the building Of his
temple, he gave his chosen leaders the
wisdom to lay down rules for its construe-
hon There were three grand masters,
;, 800 masters, $1,000 lournsymen, and
70, 900 apprentices, 153, sos in I'll, making
, city VI zoo, 900 people collected ct Jeru-
salsm 10 do the work OF the temple.
rER HIRsT THING SOLOMON DID
vas 10 constitute himself and two othsn |
grand masters, who kept secret al their |
until the work was ready to DO |
aAndsd to the masters. Instructions to |
;hsm were again kspt secret, until the |
verking drawing we're ready for the jour J