The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-04-25

hope that you will succeed in devising
measures through which all will be ANAL
gamated into one grand and powerful or
ganization of labor. In answer to a letter
addressed to the so-called Sovereigns of
Industry, l received copy of their consti-
tuition and a circular-not q written word
in reply. although had urgently request
ed him to write me, with a view of consoli-
dating that organization with ours. The
master Of the Industrial Brotherhood an
swered a similar letter in q very commend
able and praiseworthy spirit, and has prom
ised to attend the session. No answer was
received to a letter addressed to the Pat
rons Of Industry. and it is generally con-
ceded that this name was only adopted by
few designing men for the purpose Of ma
terial gain.
But very few of these organizations have
really any claim to the confidence and sup
port Of the laboring masses, not having
been formed by general meeting convened
for that purpose, but called into being by
a small assemblage Of men, composed in
many cases only of the same city or village
The power of forming general labor
organization can be properly claimed only
by the Industrial Congress, the sole general
workingmen are entitled to representation
here, and consequently this organization
represents the views Of the great mass Of
our fellow-tollers
The objects of this general labor organi-
zation are so tersely and pointedly express
ed in the admirable declaration of princi
pies adopted at the last session, that it is
unnecessary for me to add anything farther
ITS GENERAL PLAN
should provide for beneficial feature for
several very important reasons. Such a
feature would assure permanency and sta
blllty, as many impatient or uneducated
men III insist on immediate material ben
etits, and these can he secured by aiding
the sick and the needy, providing for the
widow and orphan and burying the dead
Ii should also be secret in its character,
experience having proved that success can
be more surely attained by keeping an
adopted plan Of action from the gaze Of
those opposed to it.
But more especially should you see to it
that you secure an able and intelligent man
al the head, who will be able to devote his
whole time and energy to the cause. To
assure this 1t will be necessary to provide
for source of revenue, that salary com
mensurate with the ability required may be
paid such a man.
THE PROGRESS OF ORGANIZATION
since its formation has not been such as
could be desired, and from obvious causes
The panic, which brought about such wide
spread suffering and desolation did more
than ali else to retard the movement
haven hesitancy whatever in asserting that
over 3U1 delegates would have been present
at this session had not the financial panic |
and consequent depression in b Isiness com
PEELED many of our labor organizations TO |
devote hatever suplus funds they possess
ej To the relief Of their starving and suf-
fering members thus leaving them with !
out the necessary means to pay the expense |
of sending a representative. No constitu-
tion or form Of any kind having been pro-
vided for local unions was also an obstacle. |
Another Was the large amount required to |
apply for a charter, none of whom were to |
be connected with any other trade OF labor
The number at present re-
qulred should be reduced, and all be per
mitted to join at their option, as the mem |
bers of existing labor organizations gener-
ally possess more experience, and would al |
ways serve as a nucleus around which unor
ganized labor could form itself into unions |
Despite these unforeseen impediments, the |
has made fair progress-local |
unions are chartered in all the principal |
States, and many more are ready to he |
formed as soon as the propsrand necessary |
legislation has been contaminated.
The movement has also led to the forma-
ton OF Industrial Councils, composed of
different labor organizations, in many cit |
les where such bodies did not exist hereto
fore. Quite a number Of these have secur-
ed good results to the toilers prominent
among winch Is the Industrial Council num-
Der Of Indiana, which succeeded in elect
ing ticket it had prepared from the tickets
Of the existing political parties, thus show
ing politicians that working men WELD
power which can compel them to give us
justice.
THE PATRONS OF HUsBANDRY
appear to he opposed to independent po-
htlcal action, if we may judge from the
resolutions adopted at their late session in
st. Louis. 1t is for you to decide whether
We shall adopt similar course or not.
The welfare of the industrial and produc-
ing classes, the very existence Of our great
Republic, depend upon the action of cur
legislative bodies, and although many ay
consider the suggestion injudicious, | new
ertheless hold that political action is in lis
penssbly necessary on our part, if we de-
sire to accomplish anything Of permanent
benefit to ourselves and o lr fellows :.
For us, politics are bread, and the
sooner the great mass of the industrial
classes recognise this fact, the sooner will
their lasting welfare be secured. To this
end it is not necessary that we should form
new party, or attach ourselves to any
party now existing, or that may hereafter
be formed, but merely that we vote for
men of honesty and ability, and against
corruptionists and monopolists, irrespect-
i've of party predictions. To enable US
to discriminate between the good and the
evil, we require thorough organization and
a daily press of our own. And that no
one may use the organization as a stepping
stone to political preferment, | would re-
commend that q clause be inserted in the
constitution making it an offence, punisha-
bic by expulsion, for any member to use
the organization or its influence for his own
personal interests.
An intim9te cooperation with the Farm
ers' movement is very desirable. They.
equally with ourselves, are suffering from
unjust legislation-a corrupt discrimina-
ton in favor of corporate and other mo-
nopolies- more than all from iniqui-
tous financial laws. In view Of the fact
that but nine men were found in the lower
house of the federal Congress who opposed
the national bank monopolists in the de-
bate on April III, it behooves US to demand
with redoubled emphasis, the legialation Of
the principles enunciated in the twelfth res
olution Of our declaration Of principles;
The providing Of purely national
circulating medium, based upon the faith
and resources of the nation, and issued
directly to the people, so instituted as to
constitute . circulating medium Of the
necessary fexibility, and receivable for all