National Republican., 1874-05-19
MECHANICS In COUNCIL.
MASS MEETING OF TIE BONE AND
SINEW OF WASHINGTON,

CIPLES-TuE EIGHT-H0UR LAW sUs-
TAIEED-THRILLING SPEECHES OS CON-
GRESSMEN HAZLETON AND D0BBIN,
DIR. THOMAS. AND OTHERS.
The mass meeting Of the laboring class held at
Legislative hall last evening, under the auspices
OF the central committee OF Trades Union, proved
a decided success, and vas largely attended.
The object was to take action looking towards
making eight hours q legal days work and cx-
press sympathy with similar meetings being held
at the same time in the principal cities through
out the country.
The chairman of the committee OF arrange
ments, Mr.. 7. ]. Maher. called the meeting to
order, and Mr. T. W. Howard, OF Typographical
Union No. lol, was chosen president, and the fol-
lowing officers were announced: Vice presidents
J. T. Whitemore house carpenters; }. Z; M ~
gent, plastereFs' union; e. M. Roberts, l. ": U.
M; Mr.. WrOe, bookbndefs; Mr. Cotten, PRICK
makers; Mr.. Maher, pressmen; M Reed, Z. U.
u. NJ; Mr.. Harvey, painters; Mr.. Grimes, ANAL
gamated carpenters; Mr.. Robinson, typOgraphi-
cal union; Mr. Boyd, cgarmakers; Mr.. Robinson,
stonecutters; Mr. Growers, house painters, secre-
tary.
were also appointed.
MIR. Thomas presented the IolloHlngi Fhlch
were unanimously adopted:
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES.
Whereas in the political events now trans
piring in the National and State Legislatures,
The WOrkingnen can discover no effort Of their
suffering poor, or any purpose to abandon the eSA
istDg system Of partial legislation, which fosteIS
the interests of the capitalists, the bondholder,
and the OtlcehOluer at the expense OF the Indus
trial, producing classes; therefore, be 1t
ReSoEred, That we recommend the calling Of
conventions in the various States and districts
by all organizations having for their object the
amelioraIion Of the condition OF those who earn
their bread by honest labor with the view of
making Independent nominations lor legislative,
judicial and executive otlces.
ReSolred, That we indorse the principles OF the
Industrial Congress, and recommend the organ
ization Of the working men and working women,
not yet organized into grand Industrial Union.
RGsOEped That equal taxation lie levied Oh all
species of property; and that we demand the re-
peal of ali laws by which Government bonds and
other classes of property are now exempt from
taxation, and We favor the repeal Of all laws that
bear against the industries OF the country.
ReSoIred, That we demand the immediate re-
mOyal of the supervising architect of tAe Treas
ury and his subUrdinates for violating, instead Of
enforcing the eight-hour law; and we particularly
insist that Congress take immediate action and
restore 10 the navy yards their vented activity
canceIing all contracts for ships and repairs, and
have all such work done by the direct agency of
Government superlntendents-
L RESOLVED, That Congress be requested to take
OF the country shall be restored to its once pros
porous condition, and the carrying Of the United
States mails bo done by American bottoms, bear
ing the flag Of the nation.
ReSOfred, That we demand the entire reserva-
tion of the public lands for actual settlers, in guam
titles not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres.
panies or other corporations.
ResOIrsd, That we demand the establishment of
labor bureaus and statistics, for the benefit Of
people needing employment; and that arrange
ments be speedily made by Congressional legs-
lative and municipal powers to accomplish this
important object.
ResoIrCd, That we deprecate the introduction
of coolies as q dangerous system, that threatens
the very existence OF en!lg ghtened WOrkingmen.
ReSoiUed, That the right OF the people 10 meet
and discuss public questions shall not be inter
Tered wiih either by The civil or military authori
ties.
Rcso;red, That the contract system inevitably
acts as bait to corruption, bOtchery, and fraud;
therefore, We demand that all work thus abused
shall hereafter be done by days work. on the
eight-h0ur system. and according TO law, by the |
GGVernment direct; and that the system Of con- |
tracts be abolished.
Resoirsd That we steadily and persstently |
maintain that the reduction OF hours of labor
should be compulsory all, and thai human |
labor is not commodity 20 be regulated by the |
law OF supply and demani-as merchandise
Tut considered only from the standpoint of hu- /
mainly and we'll established economic truths; |
and insist that the greatest good for the great
est number should be tie foundation Of all leYis-
lalIUn.
Rssolrci, That we demand the reduction of ex-
tTaVagaEt salaries and the adjustment Of all lee
Offices.
RcscIrcd, That we are favor of people, freight
railroad and the opening of water commuIica-
tiuns By tine Government. with the necessary re-
sirIcticn that will prevent the same from becom-
ing an instrument Of political power; and we are,
therefore. in favor Of an improved civil service,
Y.
political services rendered, as qualifications.
RcSO!red, That VIC favor the establishment of
shops and stores by the Industrial
classes, based upon system OF equity; and we be-
lieye that Government should give reasonable
upon god security, to all societies
that are earnestly striving TO elevate Themselves
and their fcllow-Iue1, rather than TO grant SUBJ
sides 10 powerful corporations, whose sympathies
arc net Nitl their employees, but seek rather to
degrade taEm.
Eeyc!rcd That We demand that all officers
EhaI be elected by the direct vote of the people;
Ind that the CoEsttutiOn be so amended that the
President shall be tEus elected.
ResOlrcd That we favor the enactment OF laws
for the better protection Of the lives and limbs OF
Iaborsr::, mechanics, miners, operatives in fac
Rtsa4r;d, That, to advance the standard of
American mechanics, we insist gP9R tAs enact
ncat Of suitable apprentice laws,
RrSoirCd, That VIC favor the substitution OF ar
bitration for strikes by law, which will insure
equity and justice TO both employer and employee
ResOireG, That we demand the ab0lishAeKt or
2; nc syD':ect sysif@ z iSF prisons and Peniten-
ReSOIred, That we favor system Of compulsory
Education that will insure to children neg elected
BY parents or guardians thorough education.
he Gu crLf7lent to issue circulating medium to
lie people, based upon the faith Ypd [ss22IcGS u
the nntfGn, without the intervention Of National
bdhks or other m9p0pelies, and receivable for all
debts, public and piiTafS
RcsotreG. That our interests demand that we
discard all party politics and politicians, and
that VIC VIII TcSalutcly refuse to be Bheedled and
cheated out Of rights which we, as citizens,
ought TO demand, declaring FIRMLY that capital
lists shall no longer nonopCli1e legislation for the
REIMBURSEMENT Of their already redundant
share Of This worlds goods.
ResoIred. Believing that the interests of all are
,u:ral and intercilanyeable as the millionaire
of to-day may be the panFer Of tomorrow, We in
Vite all, without regard to creed. SEX color pro-
ession, 20 unite with Us pron this broad platform,
md Ies:oTe our oLce prosperous institutions to
,cdGii61 that Will recognize equality, Justice and
humanity.
Judge Garland, Of Texas, was introduced, and
Iaid that be was glad 10 find the labor movement
governed by brains. II was we'll that the resolu-
ions LED to disposal OF the public lands as there
vas now considerable frauds in the system. Con-
STess was EOt safe on that point, and public dona-
lions would not cease until there was different
nOi5iEg fpGblic opinion.
The Monetary system needed looking after, for
hat OF the datiJraI banks overshadowed all
othsr boEofolSs IN existence. He was not GER
tail that il was not q fraud, and underlied all
other existing evils. 1t was for them to see that
the Government was conducted in the future with
some little attention to their interests. The last
obstruction TO universal suffrage in this country
had been removed and the times were ripe for
reform, which is now so badly needed.
Hon. Sir. Iazlelol. OF New Jersey. was the next
speaker, and said that he was present not as
teacher, but more IS ! learner. He had learned
that Similar meetings were being held through
out the country in the interest Of the aborers, the
cne Of that class. he feltthat he was not out Of
place in coming to the meeting. He would not |
plead for any special class but speak for the toll
Ing millions who produce the wealth Of the cOun-
try. Nothing was more Eaddening than to see /
men out Of employment-men willing and an XiOus |
10 work. but not able to obtain employment. He |
was satisfied that they Intended 10 do all that
ri gEt and submit TO nothing that was wrong.
He saw nothing in tho resolutions, But if car |
ricd cut would prove tU the best interest Of the
laboring man. II an employee of the Govern |
ment had violated the elght-hour law, as was |
charged then he should be held responsible for |
It. They felt that eight hours were enough for o
days work, but while he did not wish TO altago-
Dlze with them on the subject he thought ten |
hours was Just limitation for days work. 1t |
had been tried here Tor forty years past. and |
found to operate well. In connection with the |
lend grants, he thought that the public had |
spoken recently on that subject in such forcible
way as to put an end to these donations, IN the |
future, to monopolies. There should be no con- |
hict between capital and labor. Every employer /
should be willing to pay an honest compensation |
for AL honest days work. 1t was for them TO |
Judge when q heayy-handed monopoly was laid |
oppressiYely upon them, and they had right to |
TeOel from its burden. If each considered the |
others interest then everything would 10 on har-
II he could aid them they should |
have HIS voice and vote.
Hon. Samuel Dobbins, of New Jersey, spoke |
next, and was glad to be present, and was in SYM
pathy with the wOrkingmen. He had heard that |
frequently spoken about election times, and OH! |
how they shed crocodile tears then for the down. |
trodden workingman. But II they wanted to be |
believed let them show il. He then went on to |
speak Of the times of gold and silver currency, |
when wages were small and living cheap, and