The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

mer. Ii had been demonstrated in New
York, where every plasterer was within the
circle. and only eight hours labor was re
CURED that as much work was done as for
merly, when ten hours constituted = day s
work
Mr. Ennis illustrated his position by re
ferring to the dry goods clerks of New
York. and asked If they sold less goods now
than when they kept their stores open un-
til eleven clock at night. He urged upon
his hearers the necessity of Joining the
Union. He had established Unions in nine
States since he started out. and ere he re-
turned, he expected to double the work he
had already done He contended that un-
ionism vas the only salvation for the work
ingmeu. If justice was done To the work
iulman, there would be no trouble Ii
Railroad is becoming the chief despot. Ii
Is absorbing our public lands and overmas-
teIing the Government itself, shutting its
ears against the cries of patriotism, deaf in
its selhshness, blind in its folly, insane in
IT'S assumptions Government, infected
with the contagion, thinks Of nothing but
immense Jobs which speedily fall into the
grippe Of such corrupt managers as those
v hJ made up the Credit Mobilier. We are
rushing too recklessly in this direction.
We must stop, or encounter q collision
which may be fatal to every cherished
American interest OF what avail are the
rich cargo and the portly vessel If the ship
IN which our all is embarked Is being scut-
lied, while We 20 blmdly on, by the hands
Ut desperate men
The remedy for this increasing wrong is,
SIMPLY. to reverse our course. Instead Of
lighting each other, Capital should study
the labor problem m sympathy with Labor
The employer sheuli think more Of the
srusiblhtIes uf his hands than he does Of
lis petted horses Capital should combine
not to lower. but, IN all possible ways to
elevate Labor Such a combination Of
hearts and minds would soon result m the
most respectful recognition of Labor IN all
its schemes Capital would see its interests
cheerfully promoted And III this way our
Legislators would be compelled to remem-
Der that our foundation as nation rests
on the children Of toll
Already murmurs are heard against a
certain class # Immigration. The Chinese,
tOr illustration. must he diverted - truPl-
ca climates Broad as are our domains,
the Spectator has grasped SO much Of
them that competition for soil Is becoming
desperate among immigrant cuitIyators.
" q must discriminate Iii favor of our own
race. and an outlet must be provided by
Capital, IN the tropical portions Of Amer
ia. for tie support vi immigrant Oriental
labor. So much needed III those vast and
prolific regions.
To use Z we'll known admonltion Be
ware Of the Of the locomotive when the
bell rings Do not despIse the Labor
Problem DO not leave Labor III its de-
SPAR tu its own Wild cuunsels Dare not
se0tf al IT, Champion its Just demands
honestly, Men IF Position, mind, and ed
ucaum Let not its standard bearers be
the knaves and madmen Of Commune
LIT Us see these advocates for justice N all
the halls ot legislation, and everywhere
among our large employers. Tins done,
and a new sun will rise over the children
u tuil whose influence, like the deWs Of
heaven sltal refresh Labor and Capital
alike
We shall recur " this matter and, m
less space. suggest certain practical reforms
the employers were determined to keep the
men in state Of semi-slavery, Rebellion
would " the watch word ana Il would be
carried out The slave. whose hands and
feet are bound with chains cannot free HIM
self but loose Ills hands and he will con
trive some means to uublnd his ankles. gu
are ike unto the slave, but with your
hands uufettered will you not 40 your at
most To free yourselves FRI IA bondage, and
struggle for the hours and wages that would
enable YOU to live comfortable and happy
with your families.
Mr.. Ems spoke for about an hour and
was listened t. by a large and attentive au-
dlence.
The chairman, at the conclusion Of Mr..
Ennis address, introduced Mr. 4. I. Gam
eron. who said, owing to the lateness Of
the hour. he would be brief He endorsed
all that Mr.. Ennis had SAID aud hoped 1t
would have good effect upon those who
had heard the good words that had fallen
from his lips at nionism. he said, did
not mean that man should be mon
man I'd day ana a scab tu-morrow but that
he should be a mon man At All times, IN
all places and under all circumstance. If
thew would only be consistent and persls-
tent they would be successful. After briefly
alluding to the past history Of the plaster
ers and admonishing them to be true and
irrn ID the Mon he took his seat
After listening to addresses from Messrs.
Krepps and Lawler, the Union held a Sc
cret session. The meeting Was one .. the
largest that has been held among the plas
teFers for some time. and the feeling man
,fas+al snaaLs vol fnr the future