The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-05-14
The Industrial Congress.

The gathering of the representatives of the
industrial classes at Rochester, New York, last
weCk, in mass convention, to discuss the many
pertinent issues of the labor question, and to
adopt platform of principles as expressive OF
the views of the laboring classes of the United
States has not received that attention from
the general press which its Importance de-
serves. The neglect to appropriately chronicle
the deings of this body and to give the pro-
ceedings widespread publicity was studied. 1t
could not have been otherwise. The call for
the convention was published in all the papers,
and the workingmen of the several States were
represented by the ablest men in the ranks OF
labor reform. We hazard nothing in saying
that the gathering was in Importance only
second to that of the meeting of the National
Grange at st. Louis, Mo-, some time since.
The delegates, if we may believe our Roches-
ter exchanges, were all able men and credit
to any reform movement
The work of such convention composed of
delegates representing in the aggregate half a
million of voters, cannot fail in having pow
erful influence on the future legislation OF the
country. There is not reform demanded by
the farmers of the West to-day, but was advo-
Gated by a similar convention to this one, of
workngmen in 1867, and reiterated by success
sve annual conventions. The financial policy
now demanded so strcnuously by the people OF
the whole country, mot such halfway measures
as that passed by Congress and since vetoed by
the President was first adopted as the policy
of the workingmen, and it has grown in popu-
lar favor as its beneficial features have become
known. This convention has again demanded
the carrying out of this policy by Congress,
and resolution to this effect has been laid on
IL. +oIl botb tho SnOntn opfl
House Whether Congress, manipulated as it
is by the bank monopoists, will heed the de-
mand, remains to be seen; we consider 1t
doubtful.
One great object of the Rochester Conven-
ton was to consolidate under one head the
various industrial organizations of the country,
outside of the Patrons of Husbandry. This
being such gigantic task, its accomplishment
was not the matter of a moment, but an able
and influential committee were appointed to
prepare plan, which will be presented to the
next session of the Congress at Indianapolis,
Ind, in April, next year, for adoption.
The accomplishment of this consolidation is
all that is required to make the anti-monopoy
movement Of 1876 successful We believe the
laboring classes are just as willing to throw up
all party affiliations as the farmers, and when
the time comes for united political action of
the two the mutual sympathy and thorough
organization of all engaged in productive in
dustry will be SO perfect that no power can
withstand them, and they will sweep the coun-
try from Maine to California. Everything is
tending to weaken the confidence of the labor.
ing classes of the East in the professions of
the politicians. Nothing is being done for
their benefit, but instead of the old practice of
one-sided and unjust laws, detrimental to labor
is still in vogue. He who expects the Demo
cratic party of this State to use their great
victory for the benefit Of the producers will be
wofully mistaken.
We rejoice that the producers and anti-mo-
nopolists are coming to a thorough under
standing. All are agreed that new party is
necessity, and it is matter of congratula-
ton that the work of organization is proceed
ing so rapidly. Before another year there will
be not less than two million voters banded
together, seeking one common purpose, under
organizations in perfect running order. The
year 1876 will decide whether this Government
is to be ruled by Hamiltonian monopolists, or
whether we are to commence anew under Jeffer-
sonian principles of Democracy.-Ne'O Haven
Conn., Union.