, 1873-03-12

Lecture ncforo JotrncYlnnn Plaster
ors by John Ennis, Secrctary 01 tho
Nntionnl Labor Union.
Last evening. John Ennis, Secretary Of tho
National Labor Union, addressed tho plaatercrs
Of Chicago, III Crispin's Hall, Rico's Block.
Thore wore about 500 Of tho craft present. A1r.
Ennis VAS introduced by Dlr. Rove, who pre-
sided. Ho said ho vas journeyman plasterer,
and his object in coming to Chicago was not to
fomcnt revolution, but to bring tidtngs Of bur-
mony and good will. Ho said he had been tray
cling through tho West, organizing tho craft,
that they might obtain Justice. Ho started on
It's mission union in st. Louia, tho first which
hal existed thero anlong p1aatorers. Tho rela-
honship that existed botwoen the employer nnl
tho employed was not as harmonious aB it should
bo. In almoBt ovory city he visited, he learned
of nnimoHity, Consideration OF 1t, led to tho
conclusion that both wore wrong tho employer
was not honorable whom ho reduced tho wages Of
his mon, and added to lhoir hours of
labor. This reduction and addition had
cngendorcd tho prevailing bittor feol-
ing. Ho did not desire to lind fault
with honorable employers-mon who woro will
ing to n.nko just concessions to thoBo in tholr
employ but he did not find fault with tAoeo
workmon who had not tho courage to 80 frankly
to an employer and tell him what they wanted.
"
his boss and respectfully asked for MI increase
Of wages, ho gonorally received 1t ); tho man who
catered to tito omployor, cringod before him,
and l' kissed his fcot," was dcspisod by linn:
in Chicago and many moro wore to bc constructed
| and hence ho desired that proper rotation
should oxiet botwoon tho p1astorors aud their
employera. Thoro wero boasos horo who had
othors-tho q grab.alla,' y who wonld grind the
| mon under foot if tlloy could. All tho plaster
era mud all othor jouruoyn.on desired. was fair
waSas for fair days work. Aftor mildly cell.
| suring tho moubers of tho union who had proved
| reorcant TO their obligations tho speaker urged
those preaont to stand sta,mch by tho organ-
ization. There ahoull bo no difoionce
Of opinion among them; they should bo
q unit when their interests were involved no
power should 10 strong enough to disrupt thcnl.
lie did not ass them to do anything Injurious to
| the interests Of their employers, but all should
bo within tho Unicn. Were justice dono to the
| workinglneu thore would bo no strikes, which
loaye nothing but misery and dissolution in their
| train. [Applnuao.1 There should be conder-
onco now botwoon tho bosHeH and tho men, and
rules agrooabla to both established for their
eight hours' work was required in the winter !;
why should more 10 required In summer ?
It llad boon demonstrated in New York. where
every plastcrar wna in tho Union, and only
work WAS done us formerly, when ton hours con.
Btitutel O. days work. Ho deniod that general
strike was in contemplation among The laboring
mon Of the East. Tho newspapers Ind exag-
gerated the rumors, and mado a raw head
aud bloody bones u Of the mattor. More promi-
nence than vas noceaHary WAS givon to it. 1io
was not Il political domasogue, but was work
Ing man demanding, hiB rights. and would Al-
ways Stand up for thon,. [Applauso.] llo roc
ogaizod tho prasa as tho agent which
WIS to raise or crnBh the lahorotB
ho wished tho editors to comment
but not to oxaggerato. UnioniBm afforded tho
only salvation for tue working man: They must
unto at once to obtain Justice. IL fair wagoa
were giyon nt trouble would coase. II the on,-
ployors were determined to koop thom in q state
OF Boml-sayory, rebellion would be tho watch.
word, and it would bo carriod out: [Appla,lse:
FREQ would thoy not do tlieis utmost to fret
thomBelvop from bont1Rge, and struggle for the
wagos and hours which would enable them te
lIyo comfortably and happily with their families
[Choers.1
brief speeches wore made by several gontlo
men, aftor which tho moeling adjourned.