The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-14

NEW IORk. rep y, 1913
To the Editor Of the woKElssxAS's ADVOCATE
have forwarded to you the Albany Argus
containing a report Of the third days
proceeding Of the New York State Work
ingmen's Assembly; l also send you copy
of the platform adopted at that session by
unanimous vote. 1t may seem strange
that such subject was allowed to be
introduced at this meeting The answer
is simply this. We have met in annual
convention for the last ten years ia the
city Of Albany, we have presented both
petitions and bills to the Legislature for
their consideration, bur met with little or
no success. If trey passed any measure
for our relief, they worded il in such way
as to be entirely worthless to us. We have
received more insults than anything else,
while the monopolists Of the State received
every attention, and whose demands have
been Of such nature as to Cypress the
poor man more and more every year We
have given all our energies and time to the
industrial people, until We have found
by experience that our efforts have been
made in the wrong direction. This has
been my opinion for many years and
am determined not to waste any more time
in useless effort. But to at once open
the fight is the only manner by which we
can win. Legislation il at the bottom Of
all our troubles, and for that we must
tight; all other questions should he set aside
until We can solve the problem, whether
the workingmen can unite for a common
purpose. The farmers are correct when
they say the members Of Trades Unions
talk too much and pass too many resolu-
tions but seldom act, and while We do this
they cannot act with us. But when we
mean business, they will meet us halfway
on all questions in the interest Of the peo-
pie; we in New York are determined TO
except the advice given, and endeavor to
unite all our forces for that purpose. The
action Of the State WOrkingmens Assem-
bly, is Endorsed by every man have spoken
to on the subject. We are now preparing
to organize by assembly districts, and there
is not the slightest doubt in my mind but
that we will hold the balance of power at
the next election in this State, and when
this is shown our cause will be respected,
and not until then. During the session
we asked for and got a hearing before the
Judiciary Committee in the Assembly
chamber, on receiving the privilege. | im-
mediately telegraphed to New York City
for the Hon. Theodore L. Tomlinson to
come up and advocate our cause. This
gentleman responded to the call, and de-
livered the best speech have ever listened
20 on the labor question, and at he con
cluslon Of his remarks he was greeted with
rounds Of applause. We had the right
man in the right place, and the vote taken
the next day in the Legislature, on the
bill for labor in New York city, showed
that Tomlinsons speech had Its effec'.
A lifelong opponent to monopOlies Of
every description, either in banking. rail
roads, gas companies or in whatever shape
they may appear, a stearn advocate of the
rights Of the people to elect theirown rulers
either in State, county, or cities, above
intrigue, and ever fighting for justice and
against oppression.
| send you written copy Of the report
Of his speech in Albany, as given in the
Brooklyn Times Of Jan. 81, and hope you
may have space for it in the ADvocAvE.
Yours, JAMES CONNOLLY.