The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-21
UNION
TIE ENGLISH TRADES
CONGRESS-

represented the talent by
which they were represented, it was re-
gathering-and commanded the
respect of their journals which few years
ago characterized Trades Unions and those
connected with them as the incarnation Of
all that is evil As an example we may cite
the testimony Of the Sheffield Telegraph.
In referring to the transactions Of the Con-
gress, it says:
On the whole-though we cannot affect to
agree with all the demands which the union
lists are now putting forward-we think there
is a growing disposition toward a more wise
and moderate pOlicysson the part Of the trades
union leaders. The Parliamentary Committee
of the Congress counsel the delegates to OBJ
serve moderation and prudence in all their
movements, and it is impossible to listen to
such men as Mr.. Alex. MDonald without
feeling convinced that in his mouth these are
by no means idle words. The report of the
Committee Of which Mr. MDonald is Presi-
dent-though taking as is natural, in many
places prejudiced or one-sided VIEWS, on
the whole, distinguished by temperatures
and moderation Of tone. In its language we
lind no trace of that bitterness Of class against
class which characterizes nearly all the utter
ances of the Socialistic and Communistic
workmen OF France and other Continental
countries.
The chief interest in the proceedings Of
the Congress was its Parliamentary pro-
gramme for 1874, and is as follows:
l. Repeal Of the Criminal Law Amend
ment Act. 2. Alteration Of the Master
and Servants Act, so that breach of con-
tract shall not be a criminal offence. 3.
Alteration Of the law Of conspiracy in &C
cordance with the Bill introduced last SEES
sion by the present Solicitor General 4.
Reconstruction of the Small Penalties Act,
on the principle that imprisonment should
only be used as a method Of emf orcing pay
ment after failure of all other means, as a
last resort. 5. Consideration by Parlia-
ment Of the important constitutional ques-
ton Of what limit should be placed upon
the summary jurisdiction of magistrates,
which deprives citizens of the right of
trial by jury. 8. Inquiry bya Royal Com
mission is to the state Of the laws and pro-
cedure relating to summary jurisdiction /;
as to the way in which the law has been
administered by qualified and unqualified
magistrates and also as to the mode Of
their appointment and removal. Z. Re
duction Of the qualification of jurymen, to
admit workmen to discharge the civic du-
ties Of jurymeu. 8. Alteration of the law
50 that workmen OF their families may be
able to sue employers in the event Of in
jury or death from accidents due to negli-
gence 9. A Factory Nine Hours Bill for
women and children. 10. An act to pre-
vent truck, by making compulsory weekly
payments to workmen in the current coin
Of the realm. IL. An Act for the better
protection Of seamens lives by preventing
the sending Of ill-fUund and unseaworthy
vessels to sea.
Mr. Alex. Mcdonald having announced
that he intended offering premium OF 900
for the best essay on trades unions their
objects and their fitness to attain these
objects, their influence on the trade Of the
country, and their moral effect on those
who belong to them, other delegates and
representatives subscribed respectively go
and $40 for second and third prize on
the same question. The competition on
the first two are to be open to the world.
The third prize of f10 will be open only
to members of the Congress. Mr.. Har
rison and Mr.. Henry Compton are to act
as adjudicators on the merits of the same.
The following members were elected to
serve on the Parliamentary Committee for
the ensuing year Messrs. Bailey pres
tom, Howell London), Rolley (Shefield),
Odger (London), Mottershead Nanca-
shire), Mcdonald Glasgow Guile lion
dom, Broadhurst Nondon), Arch LEAN
ington), Allen Uondon), and Boa (Glas-
gow).
At the last session Of Congress the fol-
lowing business was transacted i'll the form
Of resolutions duly proposed and seconded :
On the direct representation of labor"
question, it was recommended that all
trades societies and the industrial classes
generally, should exert themselves to sup
port labor candidates for Parliament, and
that members Of trades societies should
be asked to contribute at least sixpence
per member towards election expenses.
The federative principle, as applied to
trades unions, was approved Of, overtime
was condemned as an injury to the work
ingmaD, both mentally and physically the
limitation of apprenticeship was decided
to be question in which the workmen Of
any trade ought to have a voice piece
work was approved of the principle Of
productive cooperation was cordially re-
commended for universal support convict
labor was denounced, when goods produced
by such labor came into the public market
below market value, as a violation Of the
laws Of justice and social right and the
employment of soldiers in the harvest field
was also condemned. The income of the
congress from sums paid by delegates was
was stated to be G84 los, against an ex-
penditure Of E36 13s Sd. A resolution was
adopted declaring that it is the duty of her
Majesty's government to issue Royal
commission to inquire into the state of the
laws and procedure relating to summary
jurisdiction, as to the way in which the
law has been administered by qualified and
unqualified magistrates, and also as to
their appointment and REMOVAL copy of
the resolutions to be sent to Mr.. Gladstone.
The right of workingmen to serve upon