Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-14
THE WORKING MEN.
Meeting Last Night to Induce the Leg.
islature to Pass Laws to Pro-
mote Manufacturing
Interests.
Speeches of Minor MeriWether and
Superintendent Burke-Mr. KOf-
fOd's AnsWer-COmmittee
ON Resolutions, Etc.

A number OF WOrkingmen met at the
city hall last night for the purpose OF
discussing measures looking to their
own interests. The meeting was called
to order by Mr.. Thos. Koffod, and
Messrs. Flsherty, Wood, Magevney
and Michael Burke, superintendent of
the Mississippi and Tennessee railroad,
were nominated for the position of chair
man. Mr.. James Flaherty called on
Mr.. Koffod to announce the
OBJECT OF THE MEETING.
Mr.. Koffod said the object was to
promote the condition OF the lab0ring
men generally, to curtail city and cOun-
ty school expenses, to induce the legis-
lature to pass laws to promote manu-
featuring interests, to take steps which
will place the wOrkingmen on proper
basis where they belong. The meeting,
moreover, was to have an expression OF
opinion from all persons presents, and
to appoint committees to report meas
ures necessary for attaining the objects
indicated, and to confer with the Peo-
ple's protective union which had its
committee now at work.
Superintendent Burke, of the Missis-
sippi and Tennessee railroad, said he
was requested to meet them by the
"People's Protective Union" which
was IN unanimity with them. He was
not prepared to state and explain the
purposes of the union, the objects Of
which having been discussed by the
city press whether fairly or not, he
would not say, but leave to everyone
present to judge), he supposed all were
familiar with. All present knew him I;
he was identified with the interests of
the laboring men enough to act with
them. He sympatbized with the labor
ing men, and could in modest way be
of assistance to them in the furthersnce
of the objects they had in view. He
could say this without being termed a
demagegue, for he had always consulted
the laboriDg mems interest. The Pro-
tective unions memorial had been
drawn by the ablest legal minds in
Memphis. The union was TO meet
soon, and he would like for them to be
present and learn its objects from the
reports read. He would leave the ex-
PLANTATION of the union to Major Meri-
wether. Applause.
Major Minor Meriwether said that
while Mr.. Burke had not told whether
the object of the Peoples protective
union was fairy represented by the city
press, he (Msjor Minor Meriwether)
took it upon himself to say that the city
press had grossly naiSTep presented the OBJ
jects Of the Peoples protective union,"
the only feature being presented was
the appointment of the three commits
sioneTs. The major next gave his
tory of the "People's protective uniOn,"
which had been inaugurated in 1872
He spoke of the fact that the legislature
failed to enact such laws as they want
ed, and when he had completed this
feature, he next enuneiated an array OF
figures, showing the great expenses of
the State and city and county. The
object OF the union was to com pei all to
pay taxes, so as make the burdens
lighter upon the people. They wished
TO abolish two of the courts Of this city,
to abolish jury fees, and to reduce Off.
cial and clerical fees to practical COM
pensation, allowing clerks the same sal.
ary as judges get. The city press was
afraid 10 advocate the abolition OF the
courts and reduction OF salaries Of Off
GERS of courts. The papers did not dare
to do this, but spoke OF reform in mean
ingless generalities. The proposed char
ter asked by the Peoples protective
union was the most magnificent product
of human genius, IS the meanest man
ih The world could not possibly hurt the
people under the restrictions by this
charter. The major then expatiated up
on the subject of the charter (which
had been forwarded to the Legislature by
the Protective union and the committee
OF the chamber of commerce" II there
had been candor and honesty IN the
press of Memphis they would have
stated tie tTue objects of the union,
which did not make property qualiflca-
ton a condition. The major thought
that any man who had common sense
should recognize an interest in the work.
ing man. He also stated that he had
ploged, hoad, dug, cut wood and worked
with his hands, though Se didn't do it
now, He was a perfect sympRthiZe-
with the working men, and had seen
them Walking the streets without any
thing 10 do. He w!~hed to do what he
couId to assist the woTkingmen, whom
he invited to the meeting Of the PeO-
ples protective Union, at Assembly hall,
next Tuesday night. LAPplsp'e with q
few Kisses.
Mr., ROFFoD's EXPLANATION.
MT, hOfOd SAID tnAt lDe BenlienleL
were E;istaken, ss this meeting had
been called L. Advance the interests OF
the workingmeB, which vas wide
term, and not in the interest oi any
o{,,ays or the protective union. No man
who did lot yOIE conld come there and
run the meeting, WHICH Vas &c disc"aas
measures calculated 70 promote tle eeoD-
ditinn of the WoTkingmen. Applause
T...s he said with due respect 10 the gen:
tlemen ~hs he'd spoken, and - nopsd
the laboring men Gcgld attend the
meeting next Tuesday, and come laak
prepared 10 tell what they had head
there. The appointment Of committees
was iu order, so a. 10 have report made
SIS TO the proper step to be taken for the
benefit OF the workingmen. They (the
workingmeD) wished to show themselves
worthy OF holding a meeting, and he re-
gretted that this very evening some oi