davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
TRADES UNIoNISM IN ROME

In the palmy days Of the Roman EN-
pire, the officers OF trades unions were
officers Of the empire. The bakers union
supplied the Roman army with bread, the
butchers union supplied it with meat, the
saddlers union furnished all harnesses,
saddles, pack-saddles and horse equip
ments The public works which remain
to this day in Italy, France and England,
were all executed under the supervision of
the officers Of the masons' union, and
much Of the labor was executed by mem
Ders OF the union, no other skilled work
men ever being employed. The unions Of
| those days were both wealthy and power
fnl-in fact the trades unions and the
army ruled the Roman Empire, made and
unmade the emperors at will.
| In those days the doctrine Of unlimited
competition, which forced men TO accept
starvation wages to fight to take the bread
out Of each others mouths, for the mere
privilege of becoming a cringing slave.
ever dreading discharge, ever helpless, and
always existing IN abJect poverty, had not
been discovered yet. Slavery existed in
Rome, but there was no attempt made to
disguise 1t under cover of paying Just
wages enough to keep soul and body to-
gether, as 1t now Is under the system of
unlimited competition IN the labor market.
Those people who are 50 firmly convinced
own engagements, allow him to underbid
his neighbor, ID encourage him to sacrifice
his birthright as a free man, and sell his
soul for a n.orsel Of bread, seem to forget
that haIf-starved wretch, whose children
are crying for bread, and are perishing
with cold, is incapable Of acting wisely,
because necessity has no judgment, and
from the nature 0. the case, it cannot have
any. of all the curses which have fallen
to the lot Of man, none have caused more
real misery nor done more real damage
to the best interest of community at
large than thus damIable dogma Oh
unlimited competition. This idea that
all labor must be reduced to the lowest
possible depths of degradation in order to
compete successfully in the worlds mar
kets"
To the Roman citizen, the world was
Rome, and the interests OF the outside
barbarians were put at nought. Rome did |
not seek to thrive upon foreign commerce.
At an early day unlimited competition
prevailed in the Roman labor market to a |
very considerable degree; its degrading in-
huence was felt as it is now felt in the
United States This led the intelligent
working people to combine, as it has in
duced the intelligent working people of
modern times, to attempt to protect their
own interests through the power Of com.
binatiOn. At later period these voluntary
sou ht and obtained charters
from the State; this gave them dignity /
and standing before commuD ty. Already
, 'veral unions have sought charters in diff
fsrent States, and by so doing they have
Flowed the footsteps of the Roman
unions. Thus, little by little, was the
power of the Roman union strengthened
until its influence was almost as potent a.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
FROM TENNESSEE.

A correspondent in Jackson, under date
OF Dec. 18th, writes as follows
l have always taken a great interest in
your paper, and haze recommended it where
ever have been feel that is the greatest
champion OF the labor cause in America and
wlll fully do whatever l can for its success.
Many to whom have shown copies of it are
greatly pleased with 1t, but are too Door 10
take 1t Just now.
may say We have been quite successful in
organizing branch of the Industrial Con
gFess here, and intend to send for a charter
and other equipments in few days. The
congress has been the means of setting ON
loot the organization of a Greenback Club.
Al quite large meeting held RECENTLY
Ia TINS CITY the financial principles Of the In
dependent Party were unanimously adopted
and committee appointed to correspond
with Mr.. Brooks, OF Nashville The people
here are beginning to manifest great interest
IN TINS important question, and | trust ere
long to be able to announce the establishment
OF powerful Greenback Club in Jackson.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
The Best Physician

The celebrated DR. Sydenham had pa
tient whom he had long prescribed for
At last SYdenham acknoul lodged that hi
skill was xhausted-that he could no
pretend to advise him any further.
But, said he, there is DIR. Robinson
who lives At Inverness, who is much NOR,
skilled IN complaints of this kind than
am; you had better consult him I viii
provide you with letter Of introduction.
and hope you will return much better. :
The patient was a man Of fortune and
soon took the road; but travelling was a
very different undertaking then from what
u is now, and journey from London To
Inverness was not trIfiing one. He ar
rived. however, at the place Of destination :
but no DIR. Robinson was To he found, nor
had any one of that name ever been in the
town. This, Of course, enraged the gen
tleman very much, and he took the road
back to London, raging and vOwing ven
geance on the doctor. On his arrival he
vented all his rage on the latter. and
abused him for sending him on a Journey
Of so many miles for nothing. When his
fury was little abated the doctor said
"Well, now, after all, is your health
any better r
Better = said he, yes, sir, it is better.
am, sir, as well as ever was in my life
but no thanks to you for that"
We'll, said the doctor, "you have still
reason to thank DIR. Robinson. | wanted
to send you on jorney with an object in
= lew. knew it would do you good. In
gong, you had DR. Robinson in contem-
Platlon and in returning, you were equal
ly busy In thinking Of scolding me.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
LABOR ITEMS.

There is a prospect of capitalists estab-
fishing rolling mills at Laramie.
Warren repsrts state that most III the
boot makers will start up full January lst.
The Central Vermont Railroad has rg-
duced its az roll sfDO, 900 within the Ia u
few months.
IN spite Of the bad times the stock II the
Pacific Mill AZ Lawrence Is still quoted Al
s.. 600.
The men employed by the Cunard Com
pany, In Jersey City, have had their wages
reduced 50 per week.
There Is said to be over two thousand
idle printers in the city of New York alone.
and more are going there.
The Aquidneck and Perry mills at New
port, X. l., have notified their weavers
that the prices per cut would be reduced
to y cents. They formerly paid %.
The Wood Moving and Reaping ma
chine works at Hooslck Falls are nov run
ming with $40 hands, and turning ont be-
tween sixty and seventy machines PER
day.
The Renfrew gingham mills at South
Adams, which employ 500 hands and
turns out Is, 900 yards of Bingham day.
are running on full time with 4 good
prospect Of constant work through the sea-
son.
Much excitement prevails among EN-
ployees Of the Western Union telegraph
company Of Louisville, Ky, in consequence
Of the reduction III wages. Meetings are
to be held at the various large cities to
protest against the reduction.
The Second Annual Convention of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen.
met IN Indianapolis, ON she l4th of Decem-
Der. Grand master, John W. Leech;
Grand Secretary and Treasurer, William
NJ. Sayers. This is protective and ben
evolent association, and has an insurance
feature attached to it. The order is a
powerful one, and well Offered
The Washington foundry in Troy is run
ming on half time Filley's foundry on
Green Island, Paris foundry in this VII
lage, Link and Mahoney's foundry, Har-
rison a kelloggs Malleable Iron works III
Ida Hill, Troy, Torrande a Merriam's
Malleable Iron works on Green Island.
Quackenbush's foundry Id this village. the
Steel works foundry and Burdens foundry
N troy are all running With their usual
Of hands
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
Grange Items and News.

Master Lang, of the Texas State Grange,
mas prepared an act for the incorporation
=, IN me y Rect Trade Union, with capital Of
500, 600 shares, $40 each.
~ buford Grange, Reynolds Station,
lenn'' has recently shipped a car load of
% ton to Europe,t r ugh the Direct Trade
Union.-Fdrmer Friend.
The receipts of the Patrons of Husban-
dry, for the last year, as stated bv the Sc.
cretary of the National GraDye wers azI6 p.
3s1 $69, 900 are invested in oovsrr,.snt
PONDS ana sIS,OO IN cash on 6eposit at the
financial agency IN New York City.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
IMMENSE REDUCTIONS !

$1,000 Beaver Cloaks for $1,000
81. OO Beaver Cloaks for Sl4U0
Sl4 90 Mink Sets for - 90
SO 90 Mink Sets for $1,000
500 90 Mink Sets. SO %.
soc Black Cashmere, all WOOL for 7jc.
81 70 Black Cashmere, 4S inches WIDE
for 9Oc.
45c Camels Hair Srrges fur 25c
6Oc Cancels Hair Plalds fur 3Oc
81 ~ Plaid Waterproufs far g0c
81 p NAVY Blue Materpruuts tnr ii OO
All-wC1l Empress Cloth. 35c. ~ Ac and
4Oc.
Atwood Cancels Hair PLAID Az Il OU aud
II. I'D, worth n 3D. aud - 5O.
Atwood Cashmere. nuw shades, CD, 75c
and II 90.
500 pes all-wool hauuels. lsc. 2Oc, PC
Poe.
5O1 pcs heavy shaker fannels, 2Oa, Pc
aud Z5c.
300 pair white blankets at ~ -, - 80
and $500
$50 reversible quilts at $3.50, worth
s.. 90.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
CORRESPONDENTS.
I'VE do hold ourselves responsible for any opin-
ion expressed by our Correspondents.)
FROM NEW YlkK.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 1875.
To the Editor Of the WORKINsMAN's ADVOCATE

To the Editor Of the woRKNsNAS's ADVOCATE.
THE OUTLOOK.
! We have come to the opening of another
winter and another United States Con
gress, that has it in its power to tighten
many burdens; and what is the outlook
throughout this broad land In New
England We see once agricultural com
munity gradually putting agriculture in
the background, and relying on manufas-
lures. In she rural districts absentee
landlordism" prevails. The hired land
workers are gradually deteriorating Ia the
level Of European peasants. The old Pu-
ritan stock has indeed been largely re-
placed by such foreigners, who, according
to the report of the labor bureau, ''have
less education than the factory hands
As for the degradation of the factory
hands, this is "a thrice told tale" The
Word, of Princeton, Mass, rightly says
The Fall River capitalists, fighting for
their profits, are temporarily victorious;
they won through currency and property
usurpatlon on the one hand, and the mill
tary power on the other. Their property
stolen from labor by the subtle piracies of
usury, would return to its rightful owners,
did not the people themselves, through
votes, taxes and bayonets, perpetuate
their vassalage. Not factory operatives
merely, but farmers, mechanics, bankers,
and all other opponents Of honest service
are to come into this fight Of labor with
those who now condescend to live on
other people earnings"
KILLING THE GoLD-E EGG GOOSE.
In the great cities Of the manufacturing
distrists of the Middle States, we see great
distress among work people, and sullen
discomfort among capitalists, cut off in a
measure by their own stupidity from their
usual harvest of usury. They insist upon
trying to kill that cause.-the greenback-
which has so long kept the industries buzz
zing, and thus laid for them that golden
egg production, Of which they always
get the lions share.
Capital wants to maintain its old habit |
Of getting this portion without risk AS
the Marx Lane Express, Of London, says
" Capital takes its share in anticipation,
and thus escapes altogether the contingent
cy Of loss" 1t is now frightened into in
action by the gold bugaboo. What resump-
ton means is inst this to drive out Of
circulation all the currency over the ratio
Of four dollars in currency to one in gold.
This would reduce our currency to less
than one-third of its present volume. The
simple threat tt do this in 1879, has driven
millions of the present volume into the
bank vaults, and is causing it to be surren-
lered by the banks to the government.
THE WISE WEST.
In the west, We see a good average of
,rops, great saving through the Grange,
md a better prospect for the enjoyment of
;ivil rights, through the intelligent OPP
ration of producers. But great battles
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25

WE regret 70 announce the death Of our
esteemed agent at Brookheld, Ohio Mr..
Thomas r. Thomas, miner, in the 56th
year Of his age. Mr.. 7. was, highly es-
teemed by his associates, with whom he
welded powerful influence for the good
and the true. He had been a staunch
trades unionist for the past twenty years,
and his absence will be mourned most sin
cerely by those who knew him best. Peace
to his ashes.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
A Story with a Moral.

The Labor Journal of Dec. 10 contains
the following;
We stated last week that a certain mar
ried couple were offering their furniture
for $50 in order to obtain funds enough to
take them back to England We learn
they have since sold the whole for $4S,
although FIVE months ago they paid $217
tor it. They were determined not to
weave at Fl cents Q cut anyhow
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25

HURRAH the Democrats are in power
the saviors OF the country. A glance at
the committees just appointed will con
vince any Labor Reformer that he has
nothing to expect from their mouthpieoe
Speaker Kerr. The Joke Of the season is
the appointment Of Cox and Payne on the
Committee on Banking and Currency.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
The Five Twenty Bonds
Call for an Independent ational Con
veutIOn

u-....... Observation-Disclosures, l..+b St,ra ami
h'N1' I',.,, II
..I. t.- ...,r-..-.-j ,-,..,,,,,,,l+.s
'''9- .. $500. t..t.-.
N-'''''' .'i1 M, f' .F..-,,,..,,+
rsls, 'i" l.'. ''' .''
NH MI. P'.''"' .,.. ...,,r-..t n,
hh"' M. ''u-'- .i
"-Li"s' i.'i,o .i7. -,...
MI .u' '''"''' m l.r
time tuoim usll 'lhul'l' P'I"sl''- "'' III.
opment. and.
WHEREAS, lhe -ivn service M the country
under the olu party leaders Aas become th'F-
uuEniy AMI vlI'ai""usly corrupt threatening
TO suhNert our government therefore oe If
LesJ.rta That We demand.
l. The repeal Of me specie resumption ana
national bank acts
2 ne prriectlns 'i a Hl'"''NIH y S'o'"
passed upon 'he l4''n anu I..
l'i anu N'Ap''" '' '"e "a mas
business "hle" money SN'''I p' " '' o.
ID gay He"l obi an "'''5 l'''''> '.''. -
uules .I ''N - 49,, =
'''r '' -'l7 am -
ca. pu'.., "a. ,.,,-,lI.. IN M
VI y'-' ~ -, ~, h.. MT
'l''l' "I'''''S H.. a. ,,,+b
M I..,..{. - +, WI.
Ie2ls' l'u -'' e'l''ie''' ..- ..-... ~
n interest h'' eN'11ol'5 r.
anaull, ..-.....- III. ..,,.;1 .a-,-,..
ue .t.,I.,,iy,',,, a,,5 ,,,n,.h
III lue country liz It'll i a'''- 80, Till
uvh, N AT e.f,1P. ''ii' l'la' l''a - fe'
sonai aco"uu'""l-''1 III 1', o'', '.i....- i;
A. ms NIL 'L',.1s I" -v 5o' id
''"uS ,.i,,r,,l lii
moneyed corporations ann 'Aeir vigorous II
l"tCeHiei'' l-t.-...s JILL.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25

We are under obligations to the Hon.
Alex. Campbell NJ. q. from this State,
for valuable Congressional documents,
among them the official records Of last
session, volumes, for which he will please
accept our sincere thanks.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25

The SMALLEST FfyoRs THANKFULLY
RECEIVED. Thank God for the reelection
of Senator Ferry to the Presidency of the
Senate. No Thurman Democracy for US.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25

DR.. HooToN, Of Centraha, addressed a
large meeting Of the citizens Of Yorkville,
ILL.,, on Saturday, Dec Is, on the import
ant question Of Finance. His effort is
highly spoken of
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
TEXT FOR THE PEOPLE,
Greenback Currency

II now undertake O. AFFIRM and without
the least tear that ! can De answered, that a
uaper issued hN Government. with the simple
promise 60 receive DO Tor al lts dues, would,
t. the extent % would circulate form a per
feet paper circulation, which could NOT be
abused los the Governments, that II would Ice
As uniform Iu value Is the metals themselves;
apd shall bee able O. prove that % Is within
the CONSTITUTE % ANA powers Congress to
use a paper Iu the mauagementut ITS finances,
ace .riiug 90 the most ulld rule OF constituting
the constitution. -JoHN G. CALHoUN.
Bank paper must ne suppressed, aud the
cu|,ti .u restored % y HON It properly he
I.r-- l-r banks continue % they please
hlr Ipt them discount t,r cash alone, or for
trgasur, notes IHuNAS JEFFsEScN
The Five Twenty Bonds
"Nugu tlr b.ll VA vn Its passage. the
question vas expressly asked "t The Chairman
gt .ug Committee VI WAYS and Means, ana
NJ expressly answered ny linn, that ouly IA,
interest Uas pa, able Iu c.iu. IHArpErS
~rEyL>~.
FIT tay huud-holjer refuses 70 take the
same a'uj I'd money WITH winch hc bought The
bonds, ug is au rN-Or,iouer and a pudIa-
tor. f. juH> SHERMAN
I'VE saaui de- foul injustice To the Gov
eminent and to the people oi the United
states. after We have sold these bonds on al
average tor not more than sixty cents On tbs
dollar. now up propose o. make a new c'L
tra.t for tae benefit 81 the holders -ULIN ct
L MoEroN
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
.Pardridge'S,
ia and 1l6 State Street.
SCIENTIFIC
POLITICAL LECTURES.

PERSONS ~ organ nations DESTROYS W. sepriur tbn r
Nj = n Coi A. Y. Finch ~ drltvtr M. L.otre. ,-,,
address himself laI south Clara street, tbita WI
snblecis-' ientitc Analysis ,f the Nine, yua.
ton" The Financ al I-.ug CapitI ana 49,.
"T The Railroad k,belhon~
CoL Inch nas successfully an.u ered Prif a har,,
Price, ~ oxford Uniyersiy Carl sghurx wv . 49,
lumber y other huiionsts his Analysis 81 the Ngrev
Question D. probably the most thorough N r t5
has ever been written. '''''
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
THE S.TV'E.rGS B.a.0k.

THE S.IV'E.FGS B.a.Vh.
PRACTICE SAVING, and 7eourAge your children
dOmestics and friends 70 saw,
Deposits Of FIVE CENTS and upwards receivesi ar
INTEREST allowed thereon
INTEREST ALTO WED
On deposits Of One Dollar and upwards
Societies
May deposit Money from time 70 time and before max
my the FIRST Deposit may Provide By Vote how and h
whom IL shall be drawn and provided a con, y
the Resolution be furnished 20 the Sayings Bank ~
money will BE paid, unless it, provisions strttY
complied with
OFFICERS.
JOHN u HAINES. President
JARED GAGE, Vice President
CHARLES J. HAlNES Cashier
GEORGE MI GAGE, Asst. Cashier
DIRECTORs
JARED GAGE, JpHN II. HATNE..
FRANK =. ToBEY- HENEY II SHuFuur.
JUDGE r. s WILLIAMS.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
TERMS MODERATE.

This is beautiful Quarterly Journal snev lila, ,r,f
cd ana containing an eie eoiOrei Frontisf.ce th
the nrst lumber. Price only Is for the year The
nrst number for ls76 jusi issued Rsy VIrk' Rlower
snd Vegetable Garden, IS cents. with covers, o.
cents. Address,
JAMES WICK Rochester NY
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
THE TRoCADERo,

on the opposite bank of the river, is a
kind of esplanade, laid out during the Ex-
hibition of 1867, beautifully adorned with
flower beds and strawberries, is splendidly
lighted, and can be assembled from the
bridge oy q handsome flight of steps,
From the summit can be obtained view
of Paris so fine and commanding that the
Shah of Persia, during his visit, was es-
eorted here to see the city illuminated by
electricity.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
THE GREAT METROPOLIS

Extremes still meet peaceably here
There is just enough work 70 keep the
masses from absolute despair. OF course
when there is any money spending aDv.
where in this country, New York will Do
its share. Places of amusement show con
siderable prosperity. The long lines Of
ticket-buyers to be seen every evening be-
fore the various theatres would show that
there are "a few more left" who are not
bankrupt. Some lines of business are very
lively.
The breaking up of six savings and one
State bank here lately (nearly all on Third
avenue) should induce a general outcry
for the English system of pos office saw
lngs banks, and also for the 8 So ntercop-
vertible bonds, which would be the best
of all safe deposits.
SAMUEL LRAvIrr.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
THE WISE WEST.

In the west, We see a good average of
crops, great saving through the Grange,
and better prospect for the enjoyment of
civil rights, through the intelligent coop
Grafton of producers. But great battles
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-09-11
DIR REVIEW.

The inner form of today's FREE TRADER
is largely occupied with a sketch of Ottawa
and hasty review of its leading manufac
lures and business interests. While in this
sketch our aim has been to be as comprehen.
sive as possible, and do equal justice to all
our friend "Beemus" in the execution of his
plan, found its proportions much beyond his
original calculations, and while In many
cases his notices" have been much shorter
than he could have desired to make them, in
other cases he was compelled, for want Of
time as we'll as for want OF disposition on
the part Of some to give him the information
desired, to make few important omissions
For instance, the review fails TO embrace our
banks, OF which we have four--the National
City Bank, the First National, the Exchange,
and the Savings Bank. Our carpenters and
builders, of which we have score or more,
have also been omitted, except in few cases
where, from peculiarly of location or their
connection with the lumber or other kindred
business, they have been included incident
ally. Then we have u score or more of ex
cellent meat markets, which 1t was found I'm.
practicable to name in detail; and some OF
our bakers, boot and shoe makers, tailors, &c,
&c, have necessarily been omitted To haye
included all, big and little, would have swell
ed the article much beyond our available
limits. The aim has been, by such an enum.
Grafton as has been made, to give strangers
uic,tipr la Foi 20 a..
the review is intended general idea of our
town, its claims, and extent of MANUFACTURED
and business interests. To this extent, at
least, we believe the effort must be regarded
az a SUCCESS