Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-12
Mass Meeting at Cooper Institute.
THE WoRKlNcMEN IN COUNCIL.
Peter Cooper and Others Address tn
Multitude.

New York, January II. A large mass meeting
of worklngmen was held last night at Cooper In
sttute, for the purpose of giving expression to
their grievances and declaring their principles
Peter Cooper presided.
At the opening of the meeting letter was re-
ceived from ex-Mayor Opydyke, President of the
Board of Trade, who stated that the Board felt a
deep interest in the purpose of the meeting-that
of urging upon our law makers the Importance of
adopting such measures as would revive our in
dustries.
Peter Cooper then delivered an address. He
desired to unite With the working classes in en-
deavoring to remove the causes that now render
it difficult for those who are willing to work to
find shelter and support. In view of the vast
amount Of individual, town, State and national
debt, they might well ask what they could do to
be saved. One thing was certain, the nations
debts can never be paid by enforcing idleness on
a large mass of the people. If our national
honor is to be maintained by an honest payment
of the nations debts, it can only be accomplished
by the application OF knowledge, economy and Ia
Dor to the useful and necessary purposes of life
; The laboring population could be saved from the
desperation of starvation BY the adoption by the
government of a financial policy similar to that
which carried France through a war more disas-
II Gus than our own rebellion. Justice could not
be established, or the nations welfare promoted,
without the resembling by Congress of the re-
sumption act OF 1862, which made treasury notes
gal tender for all duties and debts, and made
them convertible into the interest bearing bonds
of the government. lie felt convinced that whe IN
a true system of finance is adopted, putting all
that circulates as money under the control of the
government, making it receivable for all duties
and debts, employment for the working classes
and prosperity would follow.
Addresses were made by Leander Thompson
Alexander Troup, Wallace T. Groome, L. L. Mil
Ter and others.
Thomas &. Dreamer said there were 100000,
900 of personal property in this State not taxed
$500 100000 of mortgages in this city, and $500,
000 900 in railroad corporation stock in the State
on which no tax was paid through the failure OF
the enforcement of the tax laws and false returns
He said the New York Central and Hudson River
Railroad Companies that pay per cent on $780,,
600 900 andT per cent. $40 900 900 fail to pay
any tax by making false returns at their head
quarters in Albany. He bemoaned the fact thai
poor men were compelled to submit to taxation
while wealthy corporations were enabled to evad6
il.
Mr. MADDOX read long address from the work
ingmen TO Congress, in which it was stated tina
| the government, however patriotic, was mistake
in reference to the financial interests of the coun
ltry. They pray that Congress will use its wisdom
10 relieve the distress brought upon the working
classes and those who purchased property anc
made contracts upon the faith of those conditions
of value made by the currency and credits of the
governments.
The address closed with resolution which wa
unanimously adopted. declaring, that the working
| people repudiaed all parties which are CONTROLLED
| by monopolists, and opposed to the best interest
| Of the organization of q new party based upol
PRINCIPLES of liberty, equality and justice to labor
and requesting all labor organizations to send
delegation TO a future meeting, to assist ia formn,
| a central committee Of the labor reform party
: The meeting then adjourned.