The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-07-29

my NAoFOhCA W SOt
work.
With regard to apprentices Mr.. Satin
thinks the solution of that vexed question
lies in having apprentices legally indentur-
ed, and to have the Union ignore the ques-
tion except in 30 far M to give all its as
sistance to having such indentures enforced
SO that apprentices may become compe-
tent workmen. He enjoins the need of
more study among the members generally
regarding the difference in prices, at diff
ferent points to satisfy themselves, and be
able to Justly determine whether existing
inequalities are right and proper, and if
not to apply a remedy. He recommends
relief to idle members and those removed
from the jurisdiction of their Unions from
their dues, etc. while so situated This
opinion is given on the grounds of the great
number of idle and travelling members who
cannot pay, and have to show themselves
to be suspended in consequence. His re-
marks on cooperation are 70 the point aud
shows his appreciation of that principle as
lever to raise the worker ultimately in
the social scale. While, so longas we have
wage workers, so long will trade Unions
be required to defend them Is acknow-
lodged, every intelligent trade Unionist to
day points his fellow man to the import
ance of gradually substituting the coop
erative for the competition system in the
matter of production and distribution
Mr. Satin adds his counsel to the molders
TO this end in few terse sentences. The
address is replete with good things
On Friday last the following paper was
49, Ii I NVoIl- - II
Health and morality are best served
by all men doing a portion Of phys
ical labor, therefore we believe that
the best interests Of society are served
BY compelling the convicts i'll our work.
houses, jails and penitentiaries to do
manual labor The modern idea is to
reform criminals not 10 eradicate the
system that makes criminals, and as
labor is part of the system Of reforma-
ton, we give it our endorsement, provided,
reformation IL kept in view, and honest
labor not injured. Ii is now the custom
sanctioned by law in nearly every State to
sell the labor of convicts to the highest
bidder, the men who purchase it having
but one idea, the amasslng to themselves
of the wealth created by the labor of the
convicts. In many States large foundries
have been erected within the prison walls,
and the use Of these buildings and the la
Dor Of the eonvicts are sold to the highest
bidder in sums ranging from 30 cents to
81 day. The convicts are placed under
drivers and forced to do, as much work, if
not more than those engaged III similar
labor outside, who have families to sup
port, and depend upon wages for such sup
port; the wages for outside labor being
from three to ten times greater than that
paid for cunvict labor. Thus Ihe States
injuries labor as well as capital engaged in
productive industry by giving undue ad-
vantsge to contractors. We have ample
evidence of this fact III the almost total
extinction of the manufacture of small pay
iron castings, outside Of prisons, and the
gradual extinction of the manufactures Of
hallow- ware, ON account Of the inability of
manufacturers to compete with prison con-
tractors, and also resulting in numbers Of
molders being thrown out Of employment,
and forced reductions Of wages of those
yet employed. These facts require from
us some practical efforts To- change or sup
press the system Of convict labor; there
fore,
HtSUttu. mat int AFOn NlOlucEs u mon
Of North America calls upon each local union
to do every thing IN its power to create publ
sentiment against the present system of prison
labor.
Resoiced, 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.
Resotred, That our president be instructed
to communicate with the next meeting Of the
Stove Manufacturers association, and ask II
to assist in exterminating the system which
is working such injury to both labor and cap
ital invested in the stove foundry business
Resotped, That a 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
I Whereas, Since the adoption Of our arbIt-
I EhbAOu law haNN ACluoNN "
submit disputed questions to arbitration
and
4 Whereas, Our law compels us to continue
/ to ask such employers for arbitration when
we know it will be insultingly refused there
fore be it
! ResoIred. L. That our arbitration law was
made in good faith, with the hope Of prevent
ing difficulties and not tor the purpose Of
/
their contempt for labor seeking its right;
through peaceful measures.
, That each union shall, as soon as possibl,
after the adjournment Of this convention, ad
dress a note to each employer under il,
jurisdiction, reciting our law, and requesting
an answer to the following question vii
you A. an employer agree that in the futur,
in all question a. to prices or wages, when II
dispute, shall be referred to arbitration
committee In accordance with our laws. AnC
every employer answering IN writing that h'
will agree shall be entitled t. receive ths
full benefit Of our arbitration Law in case o
dispute as to wages OF prices Any employee
receiving such note and failing to answer, d
answering IN the negative then, in case D
dispute as to wages or prices, the union vii
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 unien shall, at the end Of thirty
days after submitting such note to it's EN-
ployer, send list OF such employers to tbs
president Of this union, and with each nam'
q statement as to his answer to the questions
asked, and such names and answers shall b,
carefully preserved in the office Of the presi
DEBT.
The following amendment was adopted
Ii an employer, who answers Va the neg
stive feels disposed u change his mine
within three months, he shall be at liberty
TO do 50, by notifying the local Union o
the same in writing.
On Saturday the following officers fe
the ensuing term were elected.
William Satin, President; John Grace
Troy N. York, lst e-President; Fran