The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-03-02

Inc reeOluU1Ou1 were tnen READ ana adopt
ed as far as the fifth.
THE TARIFF.
/ Mr.. s. g. Morrison, of Pennsylvania,
offered the following substitute for the aixth
paragraph
/ Resolved, That we are in favor Of q tariff
for revenue, with Just determinations for pro
lection.
The substitute was laid on the table, and
the original resolution adopted by q large
majority.
The seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth par
agraphs were adopted without debate.
MIR. DalCon moved to amend the eleventh
resolution by adding "And we recon-
mend it apply to all States, counties, and
towns"
Mr. johnson, of Pennsylvania, offered
the following ~ a substitute for the civil
service reform resolution and Mr. Dalton's
amendment.
Resolved, That fitness and not political OF
personal considerations should be the only
recommendation to Office, and all laws tending
to secure the establishment of this principle
meet with our hearty commendatiOn.
Mr.. Connolly said that competent me-
chanic is an independent man, and cannot
be used for party purposes. The incompe-
tent man can be so used, and passes nine
tenths of his time in that way. We want
something to protect the laboring man and
mechanic ; that laborers shall not be put in
charge of mechanical departments, nor me-
cianics in charge Of laboring departments
He wanted none but competent mechanics
appointed by the government.
| Mr.. Hunt said that he had been a gov
ernment employe in the Navy Yard great
many years, and he endorsed every word
said by the gentleman from New York.
\ Nothing had created more trouble amongst
the employees and he could not go home
without raising his voice against it,
Mr.. Cogswell said there had been a
vacancy in the position Of boiler inspector
in Chicago, and q competent man was an ap-
plicant for the position. He was rejected
and halter appointed.
Mr.. Troup said that ship master lost
his place in the Charlestown Navy Yard be-
cause he was a candidate for an Office on the
ticket of the anti-administration party He
wanted genuine civil service reform, but he
had no hope of it while we had man in
the White House who was incapable Of be-
ing reformed himself. Nothing would help
their organization so much as to have it un.
derstOod that they were in favor Of civil
service reform.
On motion the whole subject Of civil ser
vice reform was referred back to the Plat.
form Committee.
The remaining resolutions were theI
adopted.
Mr.. Elliott, of New York, introduced
the following
WHEREAS, The capitalists and monopolizeri
Of the products Of industry can, by concentra
ton Of action withdraw their patronage from
any Of the branches Of industry, and thereby
subject them to privation and want-thui
compelling them, from necessity, to accept
Just such terms as they may choose to die
tate be it
Resolved, That our system ofgovernmentb be 81
amended as to empower the government tC
institute branches of industry and furnish
employment to all idle people in the commu.
nifty at equitable terms of time and compen-
sation; and to prevent our representatives and
legislators from assuming the character oI
master instead of servants of the people, we
establish the principle of the Referendum, =
by which the people may retain the sovereign
power, and may be convened semi annual
ly to ratify or reject the acts of their public
servants.
Mr. Elliott asked why the international
workingmenwere nothere. They had raised
the red flag of revolution and never would
60 backward. He had hoped that interest
in money would be wiped out and the de-
naturalization ofth soil declared. Wehave
fallen into the evils that nearly all people
have fallen into, though we have changed
our rulers time, and again with view to
reform. He claimed that the oppression re-
suited from granting the power Of men in
Office to vote away the rights Of the people.
The veto power should be retained by the
people. This must be made cardinal feat
ure in our platform.
Mr.. Herr moved to lay the resolution on
the table. Lost.
Mr.. Troup favored the principle Of the
Referendum. That would make it impos-
sible for corrupt rings to barter away the
rights of the people without first referring
the measures to them. 1t il one Of
the grandest movements OF the nineteenth
century-this principle Of the Referendum.
1t takes away the power to oppress the peo-
pie. If there had been Referendum In
existence there would be no need Of Ma
tional Labor Reform Convention.
Mr.. Horace II. Day said: The last few
months has opened up an important and fal
reaching question. Heendorsed the remarks
Of Mr.. Troup. He hesitated not to say
further, that we have got to have womer
as well as men come to the front and b
heard If it be unpopular, then he wa
unpopular. He cared nothing for popular
ity. If the principle of liberty and the
cause Of right conflicts with the interests o
men, then the interests Of menmust be crush
ed out.
This resolution was also referred to the
Platform Committee, with instructions t.
report at two o'clock.
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.