The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-08-26

The session lasted three days. and tina
proceedings were Of a very interesting
character. This Labor Union included
among its delegates, knights Of St. Crispin,
triekiayers, tailors, bakers, engineers, car
penters, printers, Iron-molders, stone-cut-
ters and painters. The reports of the
various committees were well prepared
documents, and were heartily adopted.
In Canada, as well al m the States, the
subject OF convict labor IL being discussed,
and the Committee un Prison Labor made
the following report -
The Committee regret that nothing wan
done by the Legislature to alter the pres
ent system IT employing convicts in our
prisons, especially during this time Of I'm
Anclal strlngency and consequent depres-
sion Of trade, and would urge upon this
Congress to bring their influence to bear
upon the Government IN the Way of recon-
mendation Of the Committee u last year 4"
MIR. jury spoke of the manufacturing
trades carried on in prisons, by which the
value OF labor was lessened outside. and
at the same time criminals were taught
trades, and on coming out Of goal were
enabled y mix among the better class of
"orkmen, and to the social and moral de-
graduation Of the community. The Gov
ernment ought not to employ the criminal
class In producing the same articles as the
WOrklngmen who were endeavoring TO gain
an honest living. The principle Of prison
labor viewed from the light Of political
economy was wrong, and il was at the
same time placing a premium on crime.
Instead Of lessening crime, il tends to in
crease u. lie considered that criminal la
Dor should be put as low as possible, and
there should be nothing Of an elevating
character about prison labor.
An interesting discussion was INDUCED
IN, IN regard to trade societies and their
usefulness, which We deem worthy of q
passlng notice.
MIR. Carter in introducing this subject
pointed ont that men belonging ~ trades
unions were more pruvldent than others.
they were the best mechanics and trades
uniunIsn Is supposed a. make a workman
better IA every sense of the word, than he
would be- II he did not belong to the union.
The usetulnes Of the trades societies was to
Dc looked at from several points. By
combination they better themselves in
different ways and among others, Z fair
day wages for fair days work, a moder-
aticn of working hours, and benefits in
case ~ sickness or death, etc, and trades
socirues we're beneficial in many wavB
which those present could thoroughly ap-
precIate
MIR. James Mcmillan considered The
subject Of trade societies and their useful.
ness was one IF the most important that
could come before the Congress, and on
account Of the increased number Of mecha-
nics coming 70 Canada, the necessity ~
trades societies were felt more than ever
in this country. The speaker read a paper
he prepared on the subject before Con
gresS, IN which the necessity and benefits
arising from trades societies were set forth.
One subject Of such societies was to resist
unjust demands made by employers, an
other was 70 furnish friendly intercourse
IN the workshop between members. Out
Of unionism grows a public opinion which
effects all trades. Trades societies a. &
rule are benefit societies, and they are Z
medium Of communication whereby 4
knowledge is gained as TO places where meR
are required, and places where the labor
marked is overstocked, are avoided.
A resolution in favor of cooperation Eaa
adopted, and after vote of thanks to sew
eral parties who had been friendly to the
cause Of labor, the Congress adjourned to
meet At Toronto on the first day at August
1877.