The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-04-24

free institutions, and should not disgrace !
our statute books Surely our working
men are no less law-abiding than others,
that more stringent laws are needed for
them than is deemed just to our criminals.
The fact is very patent that the legisla-
ton VI our country il for the protection
and accumulation Of wealth, and not for
its production. Its tendency is to enslave
the toilng masses, and not to elevate, ed |
ucate, and improve their condition. So
clearly wrong is this, that | am inclined to
recommend that measures be adopted by
this Congress looking to its final extinc-
ton, and also to secure some much needed
and just laws protecting the production of
wealth.
This Congress has on previous occasions
enunciated and adopted the inter convert
bic bond system, with a low rate Of inter
est, but failed To adopt any measures by
which the system might be secured. This
would indicate that your predecessors had
left something for you to accomplish.
| would also recommend that steps be
taken looking toward obtaining a national
charter from the Congress of the United
States. can conceive 81 great advantages
to accrue therefrom.
Inviewing these questions have thusfsr
presented for your consideration and &C
ton; you will not, trust, regard them as
Of easy accomplishment, from the fact that
capitalists or employers Of labor sxpcrlence
no difficulties IN securing special privileges
and Immunities there are no obstacles
thrown in its path, but a venal, a snbsldI-
zed press is as loud in its demands for the
one as it is IN its denunciation of the 9TH
er, and a corrupt and polluted Legislature
will bow the suppliant knee at wealths
command and a. no demand that labor
ever made was granted without the most
obstinate resistance, you may expect no
other treatment, and should prepare your
ammunition before the battle opens, by Sc
lecting your champions from among your
friends, tried and true.
The urging Of the necessity for legisla-
tive action implies also the necessity Tor
political action. and this again subjects us
To the charge Of being political organize
ton.
To this charge | have no exceptions to
make, unless We become partisan political
organization but while We honestly ad
here to principle and strive for the sue
cess of a righteous cause, and to secure
those measures which will rebound
to the general good Of the general
masses, there is no danger Of the charge
doing us an injury, and those object
thereto are those who do not prefer the
success Of objects and principles to the
success or their personal or party interest,
and We cannot secure their aid OF sympa
thy III the objects We desire to accom-
plush
You will also find a strong prejudice to
exist against all labor organizations
many, through ignorance, believe them
detrimental to the best interest Of society,
and the general press united III denounclng
and incorporating them, yet strange TO
say, you will never see word or hear a
complaint against the many Masters
Associations, Coal Exchanges, Boards
of Trade, Bar Associations, etc. etc,
yet all these, and more. exist to control
the products of labor, and we are denied
the right to combine To protect our inter
est ia our own products. A part Of your
daty therefore will b. to make clear this
injustice, and the necessity that exists for
combinations for defencr.
The Apprentice System. OF rather the
want Of system, is one of the great evils Of
And while do not believe in the enact
ment Of any law, or the enforcem mt OF
any rule that will deprive the rising gen
Grafton Of the privileges rr right to learn
any trade they may desire, but believe
that mechanical education should be CO.
extensive with the desire to obtain II,
| do believe there is "a necessity for the
enactment of a Law that will require
efficient period of service to enable the
apprentice to become master Of his trade,
an also require the employer to afford
the means and teach him the trade, and
that penalties be applied for narperform-
ance Of contract. and diplomas awarded
when fulfilled. Closely al with this
question Is technical educal- This
wants to he clearly defined that We may
know who are t. be bene fitted by its ap-
plication, lest 1t be found to give the
scions OF our monied nobility the position
of task masters To the children Of honest
toll
The necessity for the formation Of Bu-
reaus Of Statistics u Labor Is so apparent
that it needs no comment from me at this
time. Its want is seen IN the almost total
ignorance Of the condition of the laboriDg
classes by their employers and law makers,
save as their restitution and poverty be-
comes apparent; then At Is generally
charged to improvidvnce and extrava-
gance.
Other questions will arise that will de-
mand your consideration. and | shall take
the liberty To recommend snch action,
from time to time AS ! may think most
conducive To- the good Of the cause we have
III hand.
now commit to your wisdom and dis
cretion the interests Of the toihng masses
Of this country 1t the greatest consid-
erations for the rights Of others prevail in
your deliberations. Let courtesy be
freely extended to each other, then har-
mony will prevail, and peace, prosperity
and success will attend your efforts.
On motion Of Mr.. Wallace, Of Indiana,
the address was received, and referred to
committee consisting Of Messrs. Wal
lace, Ind, Harlan, Ind, McKiernan, n.
Y, Mccormick, Illinois, and johnson, Of
Pennsylvania.
On motion of Mr Sheldon, of Ohio,
committee on Credentials was appointed,
and Messrs. Musser, Of Indiana, Murphy,
of Maryland, Sheldon Of Ohio, Lewis of
Indiana, and Schuing of Ohio, we're Sc
lected "a such committee
On motion, there be no secret session of
the Congress. unless the same Is deemed
advisable by the President and 80 ordered
by the Congress-.
After considerable discussion. partici.
pated in by Messrs. Schiuing, # Ohio,
Wallace Of Ind, Mccormick Of ILL.,, Mus
ser Of Ind, and others. Oh motion of Mr.
johnson, of Penn, the Congress adjourn
ed till O'Clock p. III.
JACKSON Ii. WRIGHT, Pres