The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-09-11
THE WORKINGMEN.
A Call for Their Cooperation.

Council, held on Friday evening, the follow
ing addrers to the workingmen of the State
was reported by = committee and uuani-
mously adopted. 1t is to be published in
circular form. together with their Declara-
ton of Principles. and will, no doubt, have
an excellent effect in turning the attention of
the vork;ngmen to matters in which they
are 70 directly interested.
To the Workingmen Of Kansas:
FElLow WoRKMEs-In presenting this
address for your perusal, let it be understood
it is issued BY men, workingmen and labor
ers like yourselves, Who have determined
that party fealty and political preferences
shall no longer govern them in the election
Of men to position and power. Acting upon
this principle, the Workingmen Of Leaven-
worth have organized a Workingmens'
Council, for the purpose of devising the best
means Of eradicating the evils entaiied upon
them BY corrupt and class legislation. In
order to secure q thorough reform, it BE-
comes necessary that the people as we'll as
the politicians should realize their relative
positions. and i. is with view of placing
the record Of one alongside of the o,her-in
fair and impartial manner-that just es-
timate of the worth of each. NAV be deter
mined
The farmer, the mechanic, the artizan and
the laborer, By their toll and skiIl grind out
| of the mother earth the rich stores of veal b
God has given TO his people. They are the
producers in the Worlds Industrial Hive,
ard they owe a duty to the world and to
themselves, too long ignored-an eiectment
of the drones and an accurate measurement
ofthe fitness of their public servants.
We. therefore, trust and believe the APP
peal here made will not pass unheeded by
you.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
To many the principle has been erro-
neousIy taught that capital is the oppressor
of labor; that one is in direct conflict with
the other. This We emphatically deny.
That bad and unfeeling men may and do
use capital for the purpose Of selGshly en-
shaving labor to the increase Of their riches,
We frankly admit, but the result Of all such
efforts successful, perhaps for time) have
in the end but resulted in the destruction of
the aggreasor. Capital only can increase by
the strong arm Of labor, and the momen. its
possessor attempts to destroy or cripple la
Dor, that moment it trembles in the balance,
loses its power and prestige, and passes OH.
from the hand of the shylock. There IL,
therefore, a natural affinity between capi-
tai and labor, and whenever or wherever
you see just and impartial acknowledge
ment of their relative positions and worth,
you will ever find an increase of capital, and
healthy, happy condition of labor.
We also believe that every honorable ef-
fort should be made by the Federal Govern
ment to encourage immigration. To this
end, the public lands should be left open TO
actual settlers and not transferred to railroad
monopolies, from which the purchase must
be made. Also, that the Government
should so protect the young and growing in
dustries of the country, that the skilled la
Dor of Europe may be steadily drawn to cur
shores, az well "a the landless tenant. In
30 doing, the farmer ia benefited by finding
At his very door sn active, constant pur-
chaser Of the products OF the farm, who can
exchange for the same, the pillow and the
harrow, aud all the aPPli.nces that art and
science can devise, whereby his TOT! ard IA
Dor NAV he ligh,enrd.
We also believe iba, a reform
ia much needed in al, tine Official departments
Of government, from the position OF Presi-
dent down to the lefty Office ri a county;
that any end all recanpense Tor public ser
vices rendered should lie stated saisrv
commensurate with the responsibility, wi IA
no perqui...es or fees attached; that all fss-
should be honestly aud accurately accounted
for a. often IA prudent bushes. man would
require oi hi chief clerk-t business state
ment.
We also believe that the Law Of exemption
as spilled in our justices court in TIL. State,
is detrimental to the best interests Of every
workingman in the State. That neither the
spirit, intent or letter of the law is carried |
out until it reaches our higher courts, which |
the poor man can never reach ewing to his |
poverty. hence rendering justice an ex- |
pensive luxury instead of a protection from |
the government they assist in supporting.
Again. to remedy many OF the evils We are |
now suffering from, We believe the present
system OF elections no not s,Ibse.ye the best in
terests of the country, and too frequently re-
suits in the placing of men in position and
power agains. the wishes of the people. We
therefore trust and hope that the presen,
system be abolished at an early dav, and the
Of one wherein the choice shall
rest with the whole people and not with
legislative bodies purchased and controlled
BY moneyeda-pirants.
Believing in this We present herewith a
declaration Of principles, and earnestly ask
the co operation of every workiDGman and
laborer in the State Of Kansas. to the honest
carrying ont of the suggestions and prinei-
pies therein contained. In conclusion, we
would recommend your organiza ion in every
town and city in the State. Unite with the
honest farmer, the honest man OF whatever
class, in an effort of general reform-the
crushing out of corruption in high places,
and inaugurate instead system Of leci.la-
ton for common people upon the broad
and expansive principle of equal justice to
Ill. Very respectfully.