davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
A GLOOMY OUTLOOK

Mills closed, Or running alf time
miners working two days "a week and re-
ceivIug store pay therefor; lumbermen idle
and too poor TO leave the pineries mold
ing and machine establishments closing /;
cotton factories silent grass growing in
our shipy ards our building trades stag
mechanics walking the streets Of our cities,
without money and without work, is the
alarming spectacle presented in the model
Republic of the world in the middle Of the
Nineteenth Century. And yet our ears
are constantly dinned with the claim that
National prosperity prevails that money
Is plenty and that the American mechanic
should ~ the happiest and most jovial
fellow in the world.
1t IS safe to assert that at no period in
our country history has the outlook for
labor been so gloomy as at the present
time. 1t is true there is less positive
sutfering-less absolute want than existed
during the winter months, thanks to an
overrulIng Providence it is equal
ly true that trade is duller, and the
prospect less inviting than at the same
period in 1874 No one can look for
ward to the coming winter without the
most serious mIsgivings, and God alone
knows where the provender, the fuel, and
the shelter for the thousands of those I'M
able to provide, hut who require these
necessarles, will come from This is no
overdrawn picture. 1t is plain unvarn-
ished, simple statement of facts
And this too in a land of plenty, where
our Nanderbilts, Stewards, and Astors can
boast Of their accumulated millions, and
at a time when banking and monied cor
porations, the curse # the country, are
declaring IL and 10 per cent. annual divi-
dends "There must be something radi-
cally wrong in political system which
says a friend at our elbow. If the apathy
manifested by the industrial classes in
their own welfare, with the means at their
disposal to remove the defect, is any critic
rion, we should infer there is not. Be
yond whinging, meaningless complaint,
little or nothing is done by those most
deeply interested in securing its removal.
We are afraid the thumb screws must be
pressed little closer, the pangs Of hunger
become little more acute, before the in
lustrial classes will awaken to a sense Of
heir duty and their danger. We were
almost going to say-thank God they won't
have to wait but little while longer
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
IRON TRADE.

The United sons NJ Vulcan lyuddlers)
meet IN national convention la Philadel-
pima pm the trst Monday In August. The
late Pittsburg strike and the victory NJ the
men after four months fighting, viii insure
a large convention.
The puddlers are working double turn
at all the mills in Mercer county, Pa.
with orders ahead for merchant iron and
nails.
The Cooperative Iron and Steel Works
have been running steadily FIR the past
two weeks, and are the only iron works AT
present III operation III town. They have
been turning out some Of the prettiest rails
ever made in Danvilie. DanriHe (PaD
Imer,cd.
The Chicago and Joliet Rolling Mills
are said u have orders for new steel rails
sufficient to keep their steel department
running for year To come, aggregating
~. 600 tons
The quantity Of iron to be used IN the
construction of the Centennial buildings.
at Philadelphia will aggregate about SIX
thousand tons. of which more than i've
sixths will be wrought
Auttt art III MlAduhtt ~ DTeeeuT.
eighteen establishments devoted to manu-
features IN iron, with an aggregate capital
invested Of 81, 800 900 these give employ
ment u :, 26O men, who, for the most part,
are skilled workmen, and who receive wages
during the year to the amount Of 81, go
$50. The aggregate value II annual pro
ductIon amounts to 81 800 900.
Puddlers are warned against gong to
Belle Isle. va.
The press Of work in the Cambria Iron
COmpanys machine shop is 81 great that
the maj 1rity Of the hands are required to
work on sunday.
The Cleveland iron masters returns for
May, show that there are l56 furnaces
erected in the district Of which 1871 are
IN operation, and the production of pig
iron last month amounted To 1856. 428 tons,
Or 1S tons less than in April The stocks
have increased considerably in
deed, than they fell last month, ana this
was contrary to the general expectation
There was at the end % June lOl 49l
tons storei, or -, 47O tons more than at
April Both.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

violated no LAW-human or divine-in-
generated in a felons, cell because they
had the moral courage, the principle, to
perform their imperative dutyi Will you
desert them in the hour Of need We do
not ask for sympathy we ask for mdteridt
AID We ask for dollars and cents for
means to sustain the families of those CON
victed, and to employ counsel to defend
them against the most powerful and SOUL
less corporation on the American Cont
nent. Now is the time to prove your sin
cerity Actions, not words, is the test Of
your fealty. The conviction Of Messrs.
Siney and Parks is the virtual conviction
of every trades-unionist in Pennsylvania
This contest is not local in it's character
and bearing. Its operations or results are
not confined to the miners it is blow at
every man connected with a labor organl-
cation, and We cannot afford to loose sight
Of this important fact.
We have faith enough in the manhood
of those to whom We appeal, to rest salts
fed that they will prove themselves equal
to the emergency that no effort will be
lacking on their part to defeat the machi-
nations Of their enemies, and that gene
rous response will be given to this more
than urgent appeal. Let every lodge,
every union, make it point to have the
outrage ventilated, and an appropriation
secured. Let the money 50 voted be for
warded at once to John James, 10 Centre
Place, Cleveland, accompanied oy express
siuns Of sympathy, which will make the
donation doubly appreciated. The ques-
tion involved can be as well settled now
as at any future time and if the miners
and mechanics are true to their best inter
ests it will lie settled once aHd tor all.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

Second, That no agreement was come to
requiring that the proposed conference shall
be secret, or that any man shall be excluded
therefrOm because Of his utilization with the
so-called Cleveland or any other movement.
But, however defective my recollection as
to the business transacted at that meeting
may be- | am clear in my conviction that MIR
Day in some manner other has succeeded
in making the proposed Cincinnati gathering
a most unpopular thing with many men 10 all
sections Of the country, whom We have always
thought true to the workingmen's cause, and
the value of whose counsel and assistance We
cannot at this juncture afford to overlook. IL
is charged, that he has, IN making ms appoint
ments Of State Committeeman, and IN sending
invitations, carefully excluded all who took
part il, Or are In sympathy with certain other
| movements, because In such other movements
be hs not been allowed his own way IL
this be the case then YOU should by all means
recall your transferal Of the duties Of the
Craftsmanship to him, and if you are still un-
able h. perform them yourself, transfer them
to some other good man say II. J. Walls, Of
| ClncinnatI-oI else withdraw from the move
| ment the countenance Of the Anti MOnOpo-
| lists OF Penn sylvania, which you, as chairman
/ Of the March Convention, and | as chairman
Of the permanent Executive Committee Of
that Convention would have a perfect right
| in conjunction to do. For myself, | am OPP
posed 10 the manner in which the preliTul-
nary work of the proposed conference Is be-
ing done. Days plan IN some Of its features
is a good one. but the present circumstances
Of the workingmen Of the country demand
that 1t should be abandoned, and that the
conference, if held at all, should be open to
all who are known TO be earnest workers in
the cause of labor reform, or who can prove
to the satisfaction of the National and State
Invitation committee their willingness to be-
come such. Fraternally,
C.. Ben JOHNSON
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

Labor" said department 10 have charge, under the
laws uf Congress u the distribution 81 the public
domain, the registration and regulation, under gen
system Of Trades rio Cooperative Associations
and all other organizations Of workingmen and women,
having for their object the protection OF industry and
She elevation Of those who toll
i've demand honest and intelligent express
sion of Congress on the eight hour question.
Ith. We dems nd there ia ud be hberabl system
graphic communication under the management 81 the
general government, for the benefit Of the people
The statement that the resolutions pre-
sented by Mr.. Day were adopted by the
committee is grossly incorrect. They Icere
laid ." the table. A majority Of the com
mittee were opposed to federal control
Of our railroad, canal or telegraph lines,
on the ground that such control would
give the party in power an overwhelming
advantage in a National contest, enabling
1t to establish system Of espionage, and
permitting a bestowal Of patronage which
eventually would prove inimical to the
best interests Of the country. However, to
reconcile all differences, the last resolution
was reluctantly sanctioned. The charge
that the refusual of Dir. Sylvis to sanction
it defeated Mr.. Dis railroad resolution, is
equally absurd. No living man knew his
position better than President Sylvis; knew
that it would have been gross etfrontery to
place has individual opposition in oppo-
sition to the tciH Of the majority. He had
one vote-no more-the right to use it
and express his indiUid,,al opinion, and he
challenge the face if clay, to prove that he
controlled or sought to control, the honest
convictions of a member of that COM
mittee.
But, and the but contains the sequel
As soon as the committee had adjourned,
and number Of the members had left for
their homes, Mr.. Day, who remained ia
Washington, substituted his own opinions
and resolutions for those adopted by the
executive committee and then telegraph
ed TO Philadelphia for Mr. Sylvis' permls-
sion to present them, which, it is needless
to add, was plainly and promptly refused
| This is the truth IN a nutshell, every word
of which can be corroborated. We have
no desire to behttle Mr.. Days services in
the cause of labor reform, but we would
kindly call portion of Scripture to his
careful attention Let another praise
thee, and not thine own lips"
i
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
THE PUDDLERS STRIKE AT BUF-
FALO

What has all the indications Of being q
protracted strike has just broken out in
Pratt's Rolling Mills, Buffalo, New York
The facts In the case as far as We can
CLEAN them appears to be about as follows:
Some new rules, which the company was
under the impression were necessary for
the proper working Of the mills were
posted up at a late hour on Saturday even
ing. The men in going toweFk on Mon
general import One Of theSrules pro
vided that "a ball should not be placed in
the squeesers a second time" 1t appears
that Vaughan" an officer Of the puddlers
union violated this rule, as it had been
common for the puddlers to put in ball
twice and sometimes three times ''Naug-
han" was discharged for violating the
rules Of the mill, but very evidently be-
cause he was a leading member of the Pud
dlers, Union, and delegate to the next
National Convention Of that organization.
The men believing that it was an outrage
upon their principles, and that Mr. Wang
han was the victim Of foul conspiracy
suspended work and demanded the rein
statement Of Vaughan.
The company is determined not to REIN
state him. and the men are equally de-
termined not to resume work until Naug-
han is replaced in his old position.
The picking out Of prominent men who
have the brains and courage to stand up
and vindicate the rights of their fellow
working men, is becoming little too pre-
valent among the employing community.
1t is resorted to as sort Of intimidation
to prevent those men from taking An active
part in the great moral revolution which
is now taking place. Go on gentlemen,
but while you 60 remember THE BLOOD or
TIE MARTYkEs WAS THE SEED or THE
CHURCH, and pause before it is too late.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE.

Now that an attempt, under the most
favorable auspices, has been made to re-
susicate the Mechanics Institute Of this
city, we earnestly trust the hands Of those
to whose keeping its destiny is entrusted,
will be sustained A failure now is fail
ure for all time, for the simple reason that
the action Of the Board Of Education,
who have filed an application for the pos
session of the funds which have accrued
from the property left by the late Azel
Peck for the benefit of the Institute, will
be guided in great measure by the inter
est manifested and the steps taken by the
mechanics of this city to secure the same.
The offer Of the managers Of the Athena
cum, published in our lest, is both gene
rous and available, and there is no reason
why its acceptance should not prove mu-
tually advantageous. Arrangements have
already been perfected by which such
members Of the Institute as desire can re-
ceive free instruction in arithmetic, draw
ing and grammar, under the instruction of
qualified professors. The reading room
and library Of the Athenaeum are also
placed at their disposal, and to crown all
i is proposed to have delivered series of
free lectures during the coming winter, by
gentlemen Of the highest literary and
scientific attainmsnts.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
GOLD QUOTATIONS.

The Chicago Tribune is trying TO con-
vince the gold gamblers that they have
been all wrong in quoting gold at pre-
MUM, whereas the Canadians have always
standard, and quote greenbacks at DIS
count. A thorough discussion Of the issue
here raised would require considerable
technical definition of terms, and logical
reasoning. We can only give the outlines
Of such a discussion The idea OF
4 standard measure Of value, although
almost universally accepted, Is an absurd
ity, because prce, that is value, is almost
always the result Of compromise, and no
50 far as prices are measured-named- at
all, they are named in the money OF &C
count, wholly regardless of the fact
whether payments are made in specie or
paper money.
The quality which gives money ITS great
currency, is the fact Of its ability to pay
debts The legal tender quality of green
backs therefore gives 1t the character Of
real money. This legal tender quality
consequently makes 1t the standard of our
money IT account, 50 far as We have any
standard at all 1t is therefore perfectly
correct to quote gold at premium, because
If this fact, that all prices in this country
are named-measured- in greenbacks. On
the other hand, as the legal tender quality
does not exist III Canada, but gold il there
made the legal standard, it follows that 1t
is also proper TO quote greenbacks at a
discount in Canada. The quotations IN
both countries are correct The different
methods Of reckoning are due entirely to
local laws. In reality this is a question Of
Law as we'll question Of economy
This difference is the real reason why
the bankers have worked SO necessarily
from the first to have the legal tender act
repealed They packed the Supreme
Court IN order % have the act declared
unconstitutional, but the decision could
not stand when their vI!hany was exposed.
Now the Tribune has attempted, at this
late date, to have the system Of quoting
gold changed So that instead OF saying
that gold is SI.I7. We would say that
greenbacks were 50 forgetting that it Is
the general average Of prices and not the
gold gamblers who decide this matter. II
gold Is the standard, as the Tribune as
sumes, then all prices would rise and fall
with gold The writer has compiled tables
and can produce one million facts which
contradict this theory, but has never found
single fact which corresponds with the
Tribune, theory, and challenges any bull
ZIONIST "a demonstrate their theory from
the market quotations The bulhonists
would undoubtedly be glad to convince
people that all prices went dancing up and
down IA order to follow gold, but it has
been 50 often demonstrated that prices
move independent Of gold, that their pros
poets in this direction are hopeless. Furth.
ermore, prices have been more stable Ill
! the United States since 1866 than IN Eng
land or Canada this fact is a sutfclnnt
proof that the greenback is the standard
and that It Is a better standard than gold
! The Tribune is quite as far wrong in its
| last position as IN its former errors.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

CERTAIN bastard Republican papers are
IN great glee over the fact that three Ger
man apers in Ohio have refused to sup
port the Democratic ticket IN consequence
Of the financial plank Germany has suit
cred more than any other nation on earth
in consequence Of It's devotion to com.
This Is the primary cause Of the wholesale
emigration OF Germans from their native
land and it was not to be expected that
these gold-bhud Idolators would forsake
their idols, gold and silver Nevertheless
the reform Will 60 on without them, and
in spite II them, if they choose 70 make
night upon this issue. Like the Ia FRY
question. this Is one Of those uprslngs of
the people that viii sweep everything he-
g..
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

JUsT now there Is a large crop Of col
lege graduates entering upon the real
battle q life. They are bidding farewell
to college halls and youthful sports, to
enter into competition with the more prao-
ticai toilers for subsistence. The first
thing they will have to learn is TO unlearn
much that has been taught them in col
lege. This Is especially true in regard to
what Is called political economy. Our in
situations 81 learning teach the most per
nicIors doctrines upon this subject. Doc
trines which are both false and vicious,
and which are intended to strengthen the
power Of the rich and Cypress the poor.
This fact ought to be impressed upon the
minds Of every graduate on leaving col
lege.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

The New England Labor Reform League
Is making it rather warm for David A.
Wells At the recent Social Science Con
vention held at Detroit for the express
purpose Of Impresslng the people Of the
West with the Importance Of submitting
quietly to the exactions Of capitalists, Mr..
Wells undertook 70 plead the cause Of his
employers with bis usual sophistry and
Partially, and III the course Of his remarks
he arraigned the League az a dangerous
band of Communists Whereupon the
members of the League have shown up
David's fallacious reasoning il manner
well calculated to make the supposed great
economist appear very small. He Is con
victed Of misrepresentlng facts. Wells is
a very unreliable writer
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

ONE Of the most common charges made
III monopoly papers against labor reiormers
l., that they are communists. Comm
nism, as generally understood, means ar
equal division Of accumulated property.
The intelligent advocates Of the labor re-
form movement understand that an equal
division Of property, even # It was prac-
ticable, would afford only a temporary re-
lief What we are seeking for Is perma-
nent relief, and permanent relief can only
be obtained by radical reform III our
monetary and business system. We do
not wish to deprive the capitalist of bis
accumulation, but We do wish to prevent
his legal license 70 rob Us At pleasure, and
What j. more, We intend ~ carry out our
reform measures
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
APPEAL TO TRADES UNIoNIsTs

In another column will be found the
appeal Of the Executive Board Of the
Miners National Association to their fell
low craftsmen and the trades unionists Of
the United States, to assist the families Of
the Clearfield miners-who have been con-
victed under the so-called conspiracy law
Of Pennsylvania Law more damnable
and unjusti6able than even despotism
dare enforce aud also to furnish fund
for the offence of Messrs. Siney and
Parks, whom the coal capitalists of that
State are determined to convict at all haz-
ards. Men of America, shall the appeal
60 unheededl Can you, dare you stand
idly by and see your champions, men who
have advocated yosw rights; who have
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
G1eenback Convention in Michigan

A Labor reform Convention will be held
IN Detroit August Goth. TIE Hon. B. F.
Butler, Hon Nm d. Kelley, Senator
Gordon, Of Georgia +; Hon. Moses w.
Field, and Prof Hyoton, are expected to
be present and take part in the proceed
ings There is no State in the Union
which will give a better account Of itself
in the coming contest than Michigan. On
square issue the greenback party can
carry the State by 40, 900 majority.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
LABOR ITEMS.

Columbus Ind. has cooperative store
established by the Changers.
Headquarters Of the National Grange
have been removed to Louisville, Ky.
The Worcester Council Sovereigns Of
Industry have unanimously voted TO dis
band The Gazette says this action was
based on general dissatisfactions with the
workings OF the order, its failure to furnish
the material and substantial benefits which
had been anticipated by the members,
and feeling that the only tangible advan-
tages were accruing to the few officials who
are in receipt OF five salaries.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

The WoRKINGMAN OFFICE,
RnIvrIVIIIE Inlu z IR-k
JOHN +. WELSH.

PoTTsvILLE, July 3, 1875.
John F. Welsh, Esq.-Dear Sir: In answer
to yours of yesterday, beg leave to inform
you that the meeting in Philadelphia on
March 2Sd, to which you refer, was attended,
as near as | can remember, by II. HI. Day, q.
Osborne Ward, and Karl Thayer of New
York, John Orvis of Mass, S. NJ Smith of
Illinois, and Z. NJ. Davis, v. 4. Piollet. 7.
NJ Thompson, Mr. Burns and myself of this
State. The day was spent in general discus
sion Of labor matters, and at its close all had
left except Messrs. Smith, Day, Ward, Thomp-
son and myself. In the evening these FIVE
met at the American House AMI occupied
three or four hours in endeavoring to fill up
the State Invitation Committees. Other than
THIS, the endorsement Of your agreement at
Harrisburg that Mr. Day should perform the
duties Of the Craftsmanship as far as sending
out the invitations is concerned, and the pas
sage Of a resolution to the effect that each
State should be assigned so many invitations,
no business was done that night, aud the next
morning was compelled to return home. II
recollect
First, That Mr.. Day was not made chair
man of the executive branch of the National
Invitation Committee, and that no such exc.
cutive branch was formed.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
Epilepsy or Fits

81 RE RE for Chi, distressing complaint z. H..u
made known in a Treatise OF a. octave pass-I rI
Foreign and Native Herbal Preparations. published Hg
DR.. q. PHELPs BEDwS. The prescription VIA di-eu.
cred BY him IN such prJyidental manner that ht Au
not concientiously refuse TO make Il known, VA.
cured everybody who has used il for Fits never hls
ing failed In single The mgreirut. may hJ Mo-.
tanned from any druggist. cory frrr tl AI lu
plicants b. mail Address DR.. u. PHELPS BROWN
p Grand Street, Jersey City. y. j.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17

HARD TINES An agent IN Allegheny
CO.. Pa in sending US the money FIR the
renewal Of his club, says " Times are IN
a bad condition in this section We can
not earn enough to make our board, but
1t is our intention to take the ADVOCATE,
as Iong a. We can raise the money 70