The workingman's advocate., 1874-05-23
LABOR'S PROTEST.
The Eight Hour Law Must
be Sustained.
Meetings in Various Parts of the Coun-
try, Resolutions Adopted, Etc.
NEW YORK.

MASS MEETING.
Last evening the Cooper Institute was
the scene of large and enthusiastic meet
ing of the workingmen and women of New
York and vicinity. Long before the hour
for which the meeting was called, the
hard listed sons of toll commenced to
gather in the great hall Of the Institute,
and by the time appointed for the meet
ing the Cooper Institute was densely
packed.
Presently, in accordance with n pre-
arranged plan, the several Unions came
marching in and took their places as pre-
arsanged Mr. Robert Williamson, of the
Workingmans Central Council, presided,
and Mr.. Geo. Blair acted as Secretary
After the meeting was called to order,
Mr.. Blair read series of resolutions, Of
which the following is a copy
WHEREAs, In the political events now
transpiring in the national and state legisla-
lures. the workIngmen could discover no et-
fort of their representatives to improve the
condition of the suffering poor, or any pur-
pose to abandon the existing system Of par
tial legislation, which fosters the interests Of
the capitalists, the bondholder, and the office
holder at the expense Of the Industrial pro-
ducing classes therefore be it
BesOirrd That they recommend the calling
of conventions in the various States and dis
tricts with a view Of making independent
nominations for legislative, Judicial, and ex-
ecutIve offices.
Resoirs,i, That we demand the immedipte
removal Of the Supervising Architect Of the
Treasury and his subordinates, for violating
instead Of enforcing the Eight-hou law and
We particularly insist that Congress take i'm
mediate action, and restore to the navy yards
their wonted activity by cancelling all con
tracts for ships and repairs, and have all such
work done by the direct agency of government
superintendent
Resotrci, That Congress be requested to
take action and devise means whereby the
commerce Of the country shall be restored to
its once prosperous condition, and the carry
ing of the United States mails be done by
American bottoms, bearing the flag Of the
nation.
Resolved, That we demand the entire reser-
vation of the public lands for actual settlers,
in quantities not exceeding 100 acres No
more grants of public lands to railroad COM
panles or other corporations.
Resolved, That We demand the establish
ment OF labor bureaus and statistics for the
benefit of people needing employment, and
that arrangements be speedily made by con-
gressional, legislative and municipal powers
70 accomplish this important object
Resotred, That deprecate the introduc
tion If coolies as a dangerous system that
threatens the very existence Of enlightened
workingmen.
ReSotUed, That the right of the people to
meet and discuss public questions shall not
be lnterfered with either by the civil or mill
tary authorities, and that we consider the ac-
ton Of the police on the 18th Of January at
Tompkins square as fragrant outrage ON the
working classes.
The reading Of these resolutions was re-
oeived with grea. applause, and speeches
were made advocating the strict enforce
ment of the same.
Other resolutions were introduced and
adopted, setting forth that human labor
should not be regulated by the law Of sup
ply and demand, but from the standpoint
of humanity and economic truths; that
extravagant salaries be reduced and fee
offices abolished that cooperative shops
and stores be established by the industrial
classes that government give reasonable
assistance ON good security to all societies
striving to elevate themselves that the
workmen are in favor of peoples freight
railroad and the opening OF water commu-
nIcations by the government, with an i'm
proved civil service based on honesty and
capacity, and not on political claims that
the President and all other officers be
elected by direct vote of the people
that laws be passed for the better protec-
ton Of the lives Of laborers, mechanics and
operatives in factories that the contract
system in prison be abolished, suitable ap-
prentice laws enacted, arbitration by law
substituted for strikes that education be
compulsory that the circulating medium
be issued to the people without interven-
ton of national banks, and receivable for
all debts, public and private that work
ingmen discard party politics, and refuse
to be wheedled and cheated, declaring that
capitalists shall no longer monopolize leg
islation for the aggrandizement of their
already REDUNDANT share of this world 8
goods, and that they invite all, without
regard to creed, sex, color or platform,
and restore our once prosperous institu-
tions to condition that will recognize
equality, justice and humanity.
The following telegram was received
from Boston
''The workinnmen assembled in Faneuil
Hall send greeting to their comrades in
New York. The Eight-hour law must and
shall be enforced"
A delegate from Washington explained
WHY THE BRIcKLAYERs WE'RE ON STRIKE.
The Union had agreed upon eight hours,
and when the bosses made their contract
on the basis of eight hours and a 80 per
day, they formed an association and re-
fused to employ any man at those figures.
The first speaker, Mr.. Osborn Ward, said
that the country was mass OF corrupt
cooperative band of brigsnds. Coolies
were being introduced into the country by
the corrupt agents of the government. Of
1000 Chinese spirited TO the Pacific
coast, but two had applied for naturslisa-
tion. Workingmen should organize from
Maine to California and make the parasites
vote or clear out. He looked with suspi-
cion ON labor beggary and cheap soup char
ity. The spirit Of robbery was nobler than
the spirit Of beggsry. lAPplauss.l
The speaker denounced the system Of
contract under which the navy department
was paying extravagantly for work, while
the costly machinery in navy yards lay
idle. The contractors were hiring good
worknen at 81 per day, and charging the
department $3.50, about twenty per cent
Of which went to corrupt rings at Washing
ton MIR. Dana must admit that the only
honest way to do work for the navy was in
the navy yards, where there was we'll
governed, system and but little chance for
addition, division and silence. The people
had found that Mullet was hybrid fish,
cross between sucker and o shark.
In conclusion, he spoke of Christian
Meyer, whom ths corrupt agents Of the
government had savagely ssnt to prison.
Applause Then there were poor Schwab