The workingman's advocate., 1876-07-15

At the Fridays session Of the Iron
Molders' convention, held at Halle's Hall,
on Superior street, Cleveland, the follow
ing paper was read and the appended res
Olutions adopted, without reference
Health and morality are best served by
all men doing portion Of physical labor
Therefore, we believe that the best inter
ests of society are served by compelling
the convicts In our workhouses, jails and
penitsntiaries to do physical labor. The
modern idea In 10 reform criminals, not to
eradicate the system which makes crimi-
mails, and NJ labor in a part Of the system
of reformation We give it our Endorsement,
provided reformation il kept in view and
honest labor not injured 1t is now the
custom sanctioned by the law II almost
every state, to sell the labor Of convicts
to the lowest bidder, the men who buy
this labor having but one idea in pur-
chasing it, the amaAsing to themselves Of
the wealth created by the labor Of the
convicts. In many states large foundries
have been erected within the prison wall,
and the use of these buildings and the
labor of the convicts are sold to the
highest bidder in sums ranging from 80
cents to 81 per day. The convicts are
placed under drivers and forced to do an
much if not more work than those en-
gagged in similar work outside, who have
families to support and depend upon wages
for such support the wages for outside
labor being from FIVE to ten times greater
than that paid for convict labor, thus the state
injuries labor as well as capital engaged
= - L.
evidence Of this fact in the almost total
extinction of the manufacture Of small
gray iron castings, outside the prisons,
and the gradual extinction Of the manu-
facture Of hollow-ware, ON account Of the
inability Of manufactI Irers To compete with
prison contractors, and also resulting in
numerous molders being thrown out Of
employment, and forced reduction Of
wages of those yet employed These facts
require from US some practical efforts to
change or suppress the system Of selling
convict labor therefore,
| Resoiped. That the Iron M0lders' Union
of North America calls upon each local union
TO do everything in its power to create public
sentiment against the present system OF prison
labor
Resolved, That the Iron Molders' union Of
North America pledges itself to unite with
any and every trade Organization seeking to
destroy the system, and that we call on each
local union to join with unions Of other trades
to bring about change in their respective
states.
Resolved, That our employers be requested
to give us their aid and counsel in our efforts
to abolish the present labor system of our
prisons.
Resolved, That our president be instructed
to communicate with the next meeting of the
Stove Manufacturers association, and ask it
to assist in exterminating the system which
is working such injury to both labor and cap
ital invested III the stove foundry business
ResOtUed, That copy Of these resolutions
be furnished every stove foundry employer in
the country.
The committee on constitution, to whom
was referred the following resolutions on the
subject of arbitration, reported favorably.
and they were adopted as amended
Whsreas, Since the adoption Of our arbIt-
ration law many employers have refused TO
submit disputed questions to arbitration !;
and
Whereas, Our law cOmpels us to continue
to ask such employers for arbitration wher
we know it will be insultingly refused there
fore be it
ResoIUed. l. That our arbitration law was
made in good faith, with the hope Of prevent
ing difficulties and not for the purpose of
giving employers an opportunity TO express
their contempt for labor seeking its rights
through peaceful measures.
2. That each union shall as soon ar possible
after the adjournment Of this convention. adj
dress note to each employer under It's
jurisdiction, reciting our law, and requesting
an answer to the following question VIII
you as an employer agree that in the future
In all question as to prices or wages, when in
dispute, shall be referred TO an arbitration
committee in accordance with our laws. And
every employer answering in writing that he
will so agree shall be entitled TO receive the
full benefit Of our arbitration law in case of
dispute as to wages or prices. Any employer
receiving such note and failing to answer, or
answering IN the negative-then, in case Of
dispute a. to wages OF prices, the union will
not be bound to submit such dispute to arbit-
ration, or to hold any communication with
said employer on the question Of arbitration.
3. Each union shall, at the end of thirty
days after submitting such note to its EN-
ployer, send Inst of such employers to the
president OF this union, and with each name
a statement as TO his answer to the questions
asked, and such names and answers shall be
carefully preserved in the Office Of the presi-
dent.
The following amendment was adopted
If any employer, who answering in the
negative, feels disposed to change his mind
within three months, he shall be ~ liberty u
do so by notifying the local union Of the same
in writing
In the evening the union cornst band gave
the delegates serenade at the American
House, which was acknowledged in a speech
by h. J. Walls. Of Cincinnati, in the absence
Of the president.
Committees we're appointed on apprentices,
on appeals, on presidents decisions, on mile
age and per diem, on cooperation on beneii-
cIal features, and on hours Of labor and piece
work.