The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-08-16
FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
TAe Labor Mevemasnt-saate Labor Reform
Convention

| HC OOHNc1lLlOu A8SCLuOlCO III OdSA1OAi
Hall, at IL O'Clock, Wednesday, August
eth, there were about one hundred persons
present, but the number increased during
the forenoon session. The meeting was
called to order by Mr.. E. M. Ohamberlin,
Chairman of the State Central Committee,
who spoke - follows
cat Convention held in Boston, May
SOth, it was decided to hold Convention
on August 9Th. to consider the best means
of securing the passage of . Ten Hour
Law. The original motion brought before
that Convention was to hold Convention
at Worcester on August 9th, to nominate
candidates for State officers Senators es-
pecially, because experience had proved
that the members of the Senate elected by
the other parties had, in q majority of in
stances, proved to be our enemies, and the
friends Of organized wealth. The place Of
meeting was changed to Lowell, because
that place better accommodated our friends
in the factory towns, was of easier access
from Boston, and the use of the halls that
we shall occuIy to-day and this evening
was furnished free of expense by the City
Government Nothing prevents this Con-
ventiOn, if it sees fit, to make nominations.
On that point it must judge for itself, but
for nay part cannot see how we can con-
sistsntly vote for the candidates of other
parties. We have drawn out from them,
and do not wish to go back. We believe
these parties, especially the Republican
party, to be, a. far a. the laborer is con-
csrnsd, uninterested in this question, and
50 managed and controlled by the organ
lied wealth of the land a. to be undeserv-
ing Of anything but our contempt. The
present incumbent of the gubernatorial
chair has shown himself hostile to us in ap-
pointing an opponent of the Ten Hour
Law ON the Bureau of Statistics, and we
could not vote for him on that account. We
want a candidate who will leave the Re
publican party and help to break it up.
Another is now aspirant for the Governors
chair, who does not propose to use one of
the old etfete and infamous organizations to
get into power. The objection has been
made to one of their candidates that he en-
gineered the salary grab, but to us that is
a small steal compared with what we are
suffering continually from the hands of or
ganized captatal and the political parties
of capital There are $4,000 mill opera
tives in this State. The wealthy mill own
ers steal I20, 600 golden hours from them
every week day. There is a steal Of such
magnificent proportions that the Congress
sional salary grab dwarfs in comparison to
nothing. To stop that theft you are here"
Mr. Chamberlin' remarks were frequent
ly interrupted with applause, especially the
references to Gov. Wsshburn and the Lee
gislature.
On motion, a committee ON permanent
organization was appointed, and they re-
ported the list of officers nominated by the
Central Committee. The report was ac-
eepted.
1t was voted to invite Judge Cowley to
preside at the Convention, and r. Hinch-
clitfe Of Lawrence to act as Secretary. A
committee of five, consisting of Geo. E.
Mcneil, II. T. Delano, Ira Stewart, w.
F. Grifiths. and E. d. Linton was ap-
pointed to nominate the various officers Of
the Convention. They subsequently re-
ported as follows Vice-Presidents-E. NJ
Chamberlin, Vim. Isherwood, G. c. Mans
field, c. Peasley Committee On Resolu-
tions-Geo. Z. McNeill, E. d. Linton, r.
Hinchchffe. j. p. Campbell, K. NJ. Cham
berlin. Committee on Credentials-W. F.
Grifiths, NJ. Beal, j. V. Chase. Assistant
Secretary-J r. Blaisdell
JUDGE cowLEY's ADDRESS.
We have assembled here an now for the
purpose of taking counsel together on the
best means to be used for furthering the
enactment of the Ten Hours Law, and
such other measures as are necessary for
the improvement Of the oondi ton Uf the
people We meet at most favorable time;
for within few months the greatest man
ufacturing city in America has advanced
halfway from the rule of eleven hours
day to the rule Of ten. Lawrence has fol-
lowed the lead Of Fall River. The Allan
tic Mills, under the management of that
large hearted and clear headed superin-
tendent, Hon. William Gray, have long
been run on the ten-hours plan Lowell,
too, has advanced some steps towards the
system we desire
The Judge then proceeded to review the
thu action of the Legislative Committee,
and the opponents Of the measure, aliud-
ing TO the causes which led to the discharge
Of Mr.. Phillips from the overseership Of
one Of the Lowell corporations. He op-
posed the formation Of State ticket He
paid passing compliment to the farmers
Of the West, and closed with the following
allusion TO the financial problem:
II think the living questions Of the day,
the restoration of our currency, the refor
nation Of the punishment of public
thieves, the suppression of Credit Mobilier
scandals, the extinction Of al forms Of so
cial spoilation, the education of the peo-
ple. and the elevation Of labor, should be
acted upon.
BENJAMIN Skinner, Of Acton, offered the
following resolution:
Resolved. That the best method Of ef-
fectinQ the enactment of q ten hour law il
the nomination of q distinct and independ-
ent labor reform ticket.
|, Mr. Skinner spoke In favor OF his reso-
luton, declaring that he was In favor OF
distinct, Independent party, out of the
Yclutches of all rich mems rings, who by
vast monopolies were thieving away the
profits of the labor.
Before the discussion wes continued.
Mr.; Chamberlin moved that Meaars. 8.
G. Hunt, Z. D. Linton, Richard Hinch-
cliffe, VIM. Beale, J. V. Chase, William
Grifitha, H. B. MAglathlin, H. T. Delant,
Ira Stewart, W. Sharks. and E. M. Cham
berlin, be chosen arommittee to nominate
State officers for the fall campaign, The
motion was lost. -g,si sssl.-..
Messrs. Mcneil, Linton, HinchclGe,
Childs and Chamberlin we're appointed q
committee to draw up res6lptions.
During the absence OF committees sew
srsf unimportant resolutions we're offered
and referred 70 the appropriate commit
tees. t,-. 5t.
REPORT OF coMMrrTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
wHEREAs, To the Ahame and disgrace Of
the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts and
to the civilixation Of the nineteenth cen
1tur1y, tens of thousands Of women and
children are compelled by their poverty to
work among dangerous betting and ma
chinery, in over-heAted and badly -ventila-
ted rooms, eleven, twelve and even four
teen hours per day, willis u England for
more than quarter Of . century the ten
thour system has been in operation. and