The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-14

the - Tailor's Advocate, monthly maga-
zine, published in the interests Of the
craft, Of which he was q member.
In August, 1866, he was sent as . dele
gate from labor organization in East st.
Louis, to the first genuine Labor Congress
ever held in the United States-in the city
of Baltimore-over whose deliberations the
writer of this article had the pleasure of
nominating him for president and to which
position he was unanimously elected. At
the conclusion of the session, he was ap-
pointed chairman of a committee appoint
ed TO wait upon the President of the Unit
ed States-Andrew Johnson-and respect
fully request, as far as possible, his influ-
ence in favor of the measures proposed by
the Labor Congress.
When the Illinois Constitutional Conven-
ton was held in 1870, he was selected by
the miners of st. Clair county, in this State,
IS a fitting person to obtain for them a rec
ognition Of their right to be protected by
lac against the insufficient ventilation and
the frequent needless occurrence Of acci-
dents in the mines and by request, pre-
sented his views at length before the Com
mittee on Mines and Mining, in an elabo-
rate argument, which was afterwards pub
ished and extensively circulated. The
direct effect of that argument was he in
corporation of clause in the constitution,
making it obligatory on the legislature to
pass such laws, from time to time, as may
be necessary for the protection of the lives,
limbs and health of the operative miner.
At the next session Of the legislature, he
was elected representative from st. Clair
county, and drafted and secured the pass
age Of q bill to carry out the constitutional
obligations above alluded to, for the pro-
lection Of working miners, and that is now
one Of the laws OF the State.
The 9th and the 28th, or present Cen
eral Assembly, are perhaps the most impor
tsnt that have been or will be held in the
State of Illinois for years to come, mas
much as they have embraced men eminent
for talent and abilities, selected specially
by the people for the important work of
revising all the laws Of the State, SO as to
bring them into harmony with the spirit
and letter Of the new constitution and 30
well satisfied we're Mr.. H.. constituents
with his course in the House Of the 9th
General Assembly that, at the last general
election, he was chosen by handsome ma
jority for the position of Senator from the
49th district, over his competitor, who ls
confessedly one of the mostable jurists in
the State, in which position he has proved
himself the true and avowed advocate of
sbor's interests, and Of the interests Of
: q whole people. In truth, it may be said
that his course has been such as to command
the sympathy and well wishes Of the work
ingmen of Illinois, and secure for him
popularity second to that enjoyed by no
man in the State. He is regarded as the
prominent candidate for Congress in his
election district, and has always affiliated
and acted with the Progressive Democrats
and Labor Reformers. If nominated, it is
conceded on all hands that he can poll
larger vote than any other man who can be
selected
His characteristics are such as must al
ways command respect. As speaker he
is graceful and eloquent as an advocate
Of lsbor's interests-recognized and be-
loved as q friend-genial and true as
msn-esteemed by ali who know him. In
the prime Of life, possessed of much phys.
ical strength and power Of endurance, we
predict for him a long, honorable, and use
FIJI career, and hope shortly to chronicle
the fact that his services in the interests
of the people have been rewarded by a
seat in the National Legislature