davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

OF existence but the hardest, 6ercest,
and most unmerciful, Is our struggle with
each other, for the monopoly Of what we
jointly prOduce.
Some who have carefully observed and in
vestigated the distribution Of the national
wealth, asserts that FIRE per cent Of the people
own siIty per cent Of the wealth. Whatever
relative possession may be true Of the aver
age Of the nation, the inequality will be
greater IN the more densely populated dis
tricts, and less in the sparcely populated
In examining the Tax Duplicates Of Adams
township Parke county, which we believe an
average for the State, containing hfty-siT
square miles. and including the county seat
with total population OF 1926, and little
over two millions Of taxable property assessed
ON the duplicates, we find that less than three
and Aalt per cemt Of the population oaCa ODer
per cent. Of this population are taxpayers
Classifying these by the thousand dollars
valuation. We find the first class owning one
thou and dollars and less, each, constituting
oUer sirty-three per cent Of the whole number
of tax payers, and owning less than ten per
cent Of the taxables /; and the last class as
sessed with amounts from twelve thousand to
eighty-one Thousand, constituting q little
over tao and half per cent. Of the tax payers,
and owning over ttceRty-Riae per cent Of the
tAxables
We submit herewith table classifying the
ax-payers in the territory aforesaid, by the
thousand dollars valuation, showing the mum
Der IN each class, the average assessments to
each tax payer in the class, the per cent Of
tie property owned by each class, and the
per cent. each class is Of the whole number
Of tax PAYERS
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
MASSACHUSETTS,.
LOWELL, Mass, March 8th

LOWELL, Mass, March 9Th.
70 the Editor Of the WoRKINsMAss ADVOCATE
The cause speeds on In Massachusetts,.
The masses are awaiting, and we cherish hope
for the future. Capitalists have combined to
crush the labor movement, but they have been
promptly met A movement to abolish the
Labor Bureau, has just failed, and after our
Senate voting the report Of the Bureau should
not be printed, the House authorizes the print
ing of three thousand copies Months ago
when it was thought that the secret of the
combination which really existed, to crush
the Labor Bureau was not known to the work
ingmen Of our State, the Lawrence Journal
sounded the darn, and the Editor OF the
WORKINGMAS' ADVOCATE, ] am told soon af-
ter came out in defence Of the Bureau, for
which We are thankful When the Govern
ors Annual Address, Indicated his purpose to
destroy the Bureau, or make it Of no effect,
the Lawrence Journal came boldly to the
'front.' and ably aud earnestly defended the
right 1t called on the factory operatives to
rally, and the result has been that they have
shown such front, that our opponents have
paused, and we have taken advantage and
charged over their breastworks and saved the
Bureau The Press has enabled us ~ do this
BY sounding the alarm Had We not had such
true men as Cameron of the ADVOCATE, and
Hnchcitfe Of the Journal, IN editorial chairs
the Bureau would have been crushed Work
ingmen support labor papers.
joins MEAD.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

considered, as well as the loss Of Der cent
age of profit on capital invested. Assuming
As basis Of calculation that the loss Of
profit on capital invested in manufactures,
of which 20 per cent. is thought to Be .
fair average although in many branches Of
trade the return is much greater, the ag-
gregate loss on the capitalists side was
swelled in four weeks alone to 81, 1852. 900.
This is the balance sheet
Loss TO workingmen in wages, one month 81 40 900
Los TO employers in profit. same period. 1852 OO0
Total loss 70 both, same month - %, ssa 900
The loss during the strike, which lasted
about two months, was in round numbers.
about $4,000, 900. Multiplying by II hQ-
ures given for the month 20, 500, 0OO) the
statistisian finds that if the strike had con
tinued year the actual loss would have
amounted to $3l, lO4, 900, more than one
half of which sum, or 81, 28O, 900, repre-
senting loss Of wages.
The following table of comparative week
ly wages paid in 1869, 1872, and since Jan
uary, 1873, is of special interest now, in
view of the threatened strike
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
A Great Labor Revolt.
Preparations for n General strike Of work
InGmen In New York this sprIRg-The
Wages Vow Received by the Various
Trades.
From the New York Tribune, March

hFduc~s
From the New York Tribune March
The principal Trades Union organiza-
tions are quietly but effectively making
preparations for strike, which they hope
To render u, leral by coercion or persna-
SION carly in the spring Already several
VI thr protective bodies have held meet
lngs, 1T which It has been openly avowed
that strike has been contemplated for a
long time, and fully determined upon Ia
order to make 1t successful fresh candi-
dates have been asked to add their names
"a the rolls az membership without paying
the initiation fee This movement has
been most noticeable III the Crispin or
ganllatiun, and it is understood that its
strength has been materially increased
thereby. Remembering M, dow Inflicted
upon manufacturing Industries, building
interests and trade generally, by the
eight-hour strike Of last year, the employ
ing classes may well look upon the present
movement with alarm Before going into
the details " the threatened strike glance
at the progress and results of the strike of
1872 may not only prove Of general inter
est but will and those who are vitality
concerned In its success Or failure to com
Nrehend what was accomplished last year.
and what may possibly be the result of the
labor movement this spring. Unlike the
last strike. which was aimed to secure few
err hours If labor with no corresponding
reduction of the rate Of wages, while in a
few cases other concessions to the EN-
ployed classes are demanded. In this
matter the International organization APP
pears to have born an active agency in
sowing the seed Of discord between the
two classes, and to be now ready to take a
still more active part in compelling, As it
insists, a proper regard for the rights of
labor.
Last year the eight hour strike extended
to nearly every branch Of labor Every
one knows how it crippled the industry of
the country, but few and those Immediate
ly affected, know how much positive suf-
ferIng it entailed, not only upon the strik
ers themselves and those directly depend
ent upon them, but upon the capitalists by
whom they we're employed, not few Of
whom were irretrievably ruined by the
rupture An elaborate series of computa-
lions show that when the labor disagree
ment was brought to an end last year, 90
600 skilled artisans in the various trades
had taken part in the strike, which began
In May and lasted six or more weeks. AL
lowing, for the sake of securing accuracy,
that only one-half remained wholly idle for
period of month, and that the average
rate Of compensation was 81 day-a low
average, skilled workmen being taken into
accountable statistician finds that the
workmen themselves lost $50, coca day
In one week this rate of loss would equal
1850, 900, and in one month 81 &c, 600.
In computing the Employer loss, the di-
intuition of products to supply the market
and consequent stoppags of trade must be
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

thereby-suficien to start ten, or it might
be, fifteen large collieries, and have them
producing one thousand tons of coal per
day before the end of the year 1874 We
may be told it cannot be done. Why can
it not only because there exist men that
will not trust their fellow men, because
they feel they could not OF ought not to be
trusted-because there exist men who
would prefer the CALLING yoke of serfdom
for life rather than forego for year or so
that which causes and yields only poverty
and pauperism in the end Of life's Journey
1t can be done; and the way to do it is
let the whole district make levy Of one
shilling per week get committees specially
appointed for every district to hold the
money in charge, apart from the union
fund; let boa j II directors be formed Of
the = sest and best lnen under iudicious
head; coaihelds can be got, if not in Scot
land, then let us join with our friends in
Northumberland in their fields In one
spirit let all pay, in one spirit Of conf
dence let all act; in one bond Of concord
let all be bound for our common elevation,
and the might Of oppression will be far
spent
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
THE UNITED ORDER OF AMERI-
CAN PLASTERERS.

During the past two weeks the Journey
men plasterers Of the west, than whom
no truer Or stauncher trades unionists can
be found, have been re-invigorated and en-
couraged BY the visit Of Mr. John Ennis,
Of New \ ork, the efficient and indefatiga
| bic secretary Of the new order to whose
efforts his craftsmen are in a great
measure indebted for its establishment
We have no doubt from what We have
learned, that his visit will be productive Of
/ incalculable benefit and be the means Of
eventually enrolling under one banner
every honorable plssterer has lis
tened to his practical and common sense
appeals
In st. Louis a new departure has been
taken. and a number one union organized
and in Chicago a spirit Of inquiry has been
awakened, which We are satisfied will not
lie out until an OF ganlzatiOn second to
none in the country has been established
A few years ago the Piasterers National
Union occupied leading position, posi-
ton We regret oadd, which was lOsr through
the apathy or InbecllIty OF those from
whom we had expected better things. But
II is Of the future, rather the past We desire
90 speak. Let the dead bury the dead,
Trades mons are as necessary, nav more
necessary today than they were ten years ago,
and will remain necessity as long as labor
is robbed IF its deserts. Outside Of their
folds tlere IS no safety Tor the skilled me
chanic. Employers are neither better nor
worse than other men, yet few, very few
VI those do business on the mdyitdniBtity
principle, and as few of them have any re-
spect for the man who is willing to dispose
Of his labor on any terms magnanimous
employer is willing To pay.
From Cincinnati ana Pittsburg We have
assurances Of the most encouraging char
acter, aud there Is no doubt that staunch
ana thorough organization, can and will be
effected IN these important commercial cen
cles The plasterers cannot afford to take
a back seat III the labor movement, and
from long and intimate acquaintance
with hundreds in their ranks. We feel sat
Ished they don't propose to do SO longer.
The elements of success are in their midst
Let the men Of energy, character, execu-
tive ability and viii, take the helm and
control their councils let a National
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
The Machinists.

From the Maehinsts and Backsmith's Journal
Mr.. John Fehrenbatch, President Of the
Machinists and Blacksmith International
Union, is about to pay visit to several
Eastern cities, in the interess If his orga-
nization, and is advertised to speak in the
following cities at the following dates !.
Baltimore, Md. Saturday. April 5.
Wilmington, Del, Tuesday. April 8.
Bordentown, N. j., Thursday, April 10.
New York City, Saturday, April IL.
Bridgeport, Conn, Tuesday. April 10.
Hartford, Conn Wednesday, April l6.
springfield, Mass, Friday, April 10.
Worcester Mass, Saturday, April 10.
Boston, Monday, April Fl.
Chose places to which an asterisk IL at
tached, are subject to future announce
ment
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

ETY.. It's object ia to elevate the standard
Of the workinsman, no matter to what
country he may belong. Employer will
honor you for standing out against oppres-
sion.
All men have rights in this free land,
among them is the right to set the price on
their labor. / believe an employer thinks
more IF a man that holds his head up than
he does Of one who is willing to kiss the
foot that kicks him
The members then adjourned into the
ante-room, where the workings of the new
order were explained by Mr.. Ennis, and
all present we're initiated We believe a
brighter day is dawning for the plasterers
Of this city, and that the United Order
will nfuse new vitality into their ranks.
Mark my prediction St Louis will give
good account of herself at the Conven-
ton, which we expect will soon be held
PLAsTERER.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

We insist that uniform tax per hundred
dollars ON these varied assessments to the
different classes Of tax payers is not equita-
bic. Property ~ presumed to be assessed ac-
cordlng TO its power 70 produce income imme-
date or prospective IL IL fair to presume
Therefore that generally the capital assessed
10 the several classes ~ tax payers produces
the same per cent Of income Consequently
il costs the tax payer assessed with one
thousand dollars ten tifaes the per cent Of his
income to support himself and family that it
does the one assessed with ten thousand dol
lars and the assessed with ten thous-
and, expends t,eice the per cent Of bis income
IN his support, that the one assessed with
twenty thousand dollars does Of bis The
taxpayer assessed with thirty thousand dol.
lars, has but one family 70 support out 81 his
income, while thirty tax payers, assessed
with one thousand dollars each have thirty
families to support out Of the same amount
of income Therefore we believe. that as
aggregated capital Is relieved of the burden
Of family support IN an inverse ratio t. its
amount, 1t should lie made to assume the
burdens Of taxation IN its stead. Not only
tins, but the tax should be L ade to bear as a
check to an unhealthy aggregation Of capital
and decidedly bar 70 the monopoly Of land
The following table is an exhibit 81 the tax
II HAaus ',~ HsuiP oeioie hien.l'neu'
'lassineu py the hunIIeu noIars VSiuatie'
hundred dollars valuation up to eleven
thousand then bv the Thousand dollars up
To twenty tve Thousand dollars, above which
amount ~ ASsess'ileH' M n"' lollo" e"iiseI
uINeiy- Inc number Oh taN payers IN eAch
lass Is SHOWN ~ the hrst column. Inc sec
ohu SHOWS the Ai'l"uiIe ~, assessed 70 each TAX
PaS Il II $500 M w slioNs liie ~ ~
sl- - - .'
, W m. - q MN ~ 49, - NJ" ~
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
CO-OPE RATION

A cooperative colony was established
several years ago on the Iowa river bv a
committee Of Germans from the vicinity of
Buffalo, " Y. They obtained about 30
900 acres If Government land, and they
now have several villages orchards are
numerous, and their land Is in high state
Of cultivation. They form a religious
body, and they have unity If plan, which
includes, first, a community Of property
second, industrial and domestic co-opera-
ton and, third, especial advancement in
useful arts. They struggled with great
difficulty for several years, but now they
are III high state If prosperous condition
CAR SHOPS PROPOSED
The jnurneymen car builders of vii
mlngton, Del, are making an effort to
start cooperative association, and have
already held a meeting. Various places
We learn, are offering inducements to have
the proposed enterprise located there
Grounds, buildings and loans Of money
have been offered by different towns as an
Involvement 70 have them start up in their
midst Enterprises of this sort should be
encouraged I'd locate mere As they would
add materially to the wealth and prosperity
Of she town
Mr.. Alexander Mcdonald, President Of
the Miners National Association. under
date Of February 20, writes a. the GlaS,o,r
Sentinel, as follows
] am glad T. see that the worthy Presi-
dent Of the Fife and Clackmannan Miners
Association draws the attention If your
readers 70 cooperative industry In your
last issue. In tins lies the power. with a
powerful organization, to emancipate the
entire mining population from the everlast-
ing thrall Of strikes and lock-outs. Coon
Grafton will break the power of the domi-
nant capitalist, that thinks because he has
gained few thousands sterling all must
lie crouchIng at his worthless feet. 1t will
place the entire miners of Scotland i'm DO
sition that, befall what may, strikes must
cease. To look at the matter in practical
form, We lind that III Fife and Clackman-
nan there are 4, 500 men in union; in Stir
ling and LlnIthgow, 5000; in Mid and
East Lothian, 1000; Maryhill, |, 900; Shale
districts-West Calder, 900; Airdrie. 800;
Bailheston, 800; Larkhall, l,5OO; DAIRY.
$50; Den, 200, Holytown, 800. From the
Glasgow district we could get men good,
and not less than LOCO; Coatbridge. at
least, 200; Haywood, 400; Crofthead. and
district surrounding, 600. We say nothing
of the great Ayrshire coal field. from them
We surely could get at least LOCO. To
these we might add what the district Of
WIshaw and a few other places might Weld.
IN all, 300 subscribers This number.
al one shllllng per week, would yield the
sum OF L. loo. At this rate in one year
We could amass the sum of L. ~. 600 or
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
LABOR TIE MS.

The Marble Cutters Of Boston have
struck for S2l per week, an advance If 80
on their present rate of wages.
LABOR Reform The discussions pre-
clpltated by the Labor Reform movement
are steadily going on. On Tuesday Feb
18th, Judge Charles Cowley Of Lowell. de-
hvered an address in North Brookheld be-
fore the Knights of St Crispin; he discuss
ed the various forms Of social spoliation,
that Of Landlords by rents, that Of Mer-
chants by exchange, that of Bankers by
currency, that Uf Manufacturers by wages
and machinery, and that of Railroads by
transportation and he advocated meas
ures Tor securing 20 every workingInan a
dwelling house If his own Free Bank
ing, Free Money, Cooperation for produc-
ton AMI supply and, Cheap Transporta-
ton.
In speech Of an hour and half he
treated his audience to synopsis Of he
great evils with which Labor Reforlners
grapple and Of the special measures by
which those evils are 10 he eradicated.
THE TEN-HoUR QUESTION. The Com
mittee on the Labor Question had anothe r
hearing on the memorial Of the State La
hor Committee for the enactment Of Ten
Hour Law for the running Of factories NJ
+. Dickinson, counsel for the mill owners
who oppose any change in the Law, exam
med several witnesses, among them being
Timothy Merrick. agent Of the Sewing
Thread Company Of Holyoke Col G. V.
Fox, agent Of the MHddlesex Mills IF Lo-
well F; Chas. ". Freeland and John Gard
ner Of Boston and John Fallon, superin-
tendent Of the Pacific Mills of Lawrence
All Of these gentlemen spoke Of the excel
lent health the operatives generally enjoy
ed and the impression they had that no
considerable portion of the work people de
sired change: The hours now adopted in
Lawrence and Fall River are sixty two and
half per week. Another hearing will be
gwen for the reception Of the last Of the
testimony Laurence Journal.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
Labor Reform in Racine Wisconsin.

The industrial element in this thrifty
and beautiful little city, are taking steps to
effect thorough organization. During
the past week we had long and interest
ing conversation with one of her represen-
tative mechanics, who assured M that her
working classes we're ripe for any movement
which looked to the organization of party,
which would demand and secure justice to
the toiling masses. In a few days We hope
to be able to announce the foundation of a
league, which will make its influence felt
IN the right direction.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15
THE MINER.
spent

The West Belleville Miners Association
is nov fully organized, and its good effects
will be Immediately felt among the mining
fraternity. The object Of the association
is to secure its members against suffering
ia cases Of sickness or accident. When a
member is sick or disabled from work in
any way he is entitled to draw certain
living amount per week, during the contin-
uance IF such disability and when mem
Der dies, his funeral expenses are borne by
the association.
DURING the past two weekstwo fatal acct
dents have occurred m the mines at Belle
vile, Illinois On the Goth II February
Mr. 1. B. Anderson, young man Of l9
years Of age, was killed at Techs new
mine, by falling into the Stump aud on
the Sth of March, Mr. VIM Reeves. Sr,
an old, well known and experienced miner,
was instantly killed in his own mine by
the falling Of a plank while he was in the
act Of stepping on the cage at the bottom
Of the shaft
ANOTHER effort is being made by the
Mahoning Coal Company, at Coalburg, to
trample their employees under foot, by
trying to delude men into the mines Who
are entirely ignorant Of the manner Of MN
ing coal, but their efforts in this direction
will prove a failure and also disastrous
should they succeed, which they will not,
HUBBARD, ONO 1t is rumored that
some OF the banks have gone to work here
at the reduction This grows out uf the
fact that a few black legs, under the lead
ership Of a negro named Mike Brown,
brought up in this township, have started
work In the Jacobs bank. This viii give
AN idea of the character Of the blackleg
miners. The old miners are more deter
mined than ever to stand for the old price
They are As firm as the ola rock IF Gibe-
raltar
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

A FORTNIGHT ago the Golfers on the
south and west Of Dudley. some 10. 600 IN
number, gave notice for shilling per day
advance week later the masters offered
SIX pence per day. and on Saturday night
the men agreed TO accept the sixpence Ter
day, providing that the masters abstained
from increasing the price If coal
ALTHoUGH efforts have been made tu in
crease the production ~ coal IN France. II
continues scarce and dear. At Paris do
nestle qualities have been selling at about
As per ton coke is at 52s per ton. The
course Of the great rlke in Wales i
watched with much interest.
Coal IN CHINA-Mr Akroyd has given
notice that he intends to ask the Under
Secretary Of State for Foreign Affairs if
his attention has been called to the state
ment from competent authorities that the
coal fields VI China cover an area u up
wards 81 4UU, OOO square miles, as contrast
Ell with the comparatively small area If .,
900 square miles IN Great Britain if his
attention had been called to the report If
Baron Won Richthofen, printed at shanghai
ia 1870 and 49, l, respecting certain coal
bearing provinces notably that Of ShumsI.
containing some $1,000 square miles, with
beds varying from twelve 70 thirty feet M
thickness, while the system of coal-bear-
my strata IN tins province is about five
hundred feet ia thickness. containing be
sides an ineNhaustible supply Of iron ore
the whole report being amply set forth in
the Quarterly E,1e,r FIR April, 1872. and
whether Her Majesty Government would,
ny concerted action ana with the co-opera-
rlun of he Treaty Powers who we're parties
t. the Treaty If Tier Tsin, endeavor u
negotiate supplementary treaty to pro
vide for the safe investment Of British and
European capital in mining enterprise and
IN connecting lines Of railway under proper
safeguards protected BY the contracting
p,uarS
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-03-15

The table OF wages is computed u most
trades upon basis Of eight or nine hours
Of work. Men in the building trade, for
instance, work eight hours, while others
in other lines are employed nine and few
ten hours A percentage Of discount
should also be made for lost time, careful
inquiry among employers elciting the fact
that IN most avoc4tions the men lose on
the average one day out Of the six from
one cause or another.