The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-01-29
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who ~ no doubt khoWns oy reputation NJ
least, to large number Of th1 ADvocAAE's
readers N.r4
The subject Of this sketch, Charles Nc
Lean, was boru in CAmpbelltown, Argyll
shire, Scotland, October 8, 1919. his
father was a seafaring man, who had served
IN all capacities on ship board, from cabin
boy to captain vi his own craft, and seems
to have been . man Of somewhat remark
able intelligence q staunch Presby terrain
Of the old school, firm, uncUmpromis'ng
lover Of liberty, who toOk great Interest IN,
and warmly advocated the emancipation VI
the West lndia slaves.
His molhe. sas the daughter Of we'll
to-do farmer, and her mleaiory Is held by
her son in the hlghest venerStlon- lie at
tributes u his mot hers nhuenee and teach
ing, quite rs much AZ to InherItance from
his father, the marked characteristics for
which he II 30 well known by all who know
HIM at all. Charles Mclean is an Ut
daunttd champion VI freedom Of thought,
speech, and sctIon n stern and severe de-
nouncer Of tyranny, and every kind OF
mesnness aud subseIvlence open and
straightforward in his own conduct, free
handed and generous In disposition, he II
probably deficient IN many qualities Shat
are necessary for "a successful career lin
the ordinary sense of that phrAse-bLt
which deficiency rebounds perhaps to his
honor and credit. l imagine that he would
be out Of place in 1.-THE lobby, and that
wire pulling politicians would beat him
every time. unless, perhaps, should they
seek to pull wool ovet his eyes, vhen,-I
know Of no man who would more quickly
detect the hidden purpose. Mclean Ii Ia
his glory when he has the floor" with
finance for his subject and NO limitation Of
time His head Is q perfect storehouse OF
figures and facts, and they come smoothly
aud readily to his tongue. Millions Of acres
or billions of dollars are equally unembar-
rAsslng to him he seems 10 take rather a
pleasure in dealing with large quantities.
He has also good fund of humor, and
illustrates his speeches OF arguments with
telling anecdotes that usually bring down
the house." especially when they are in
tended to wither An opponent with ridicule,
which is often the case,-and they lose
nothing of their force by the gravity Of
countenance, sarcastic tone, and slightly
Scottish brogue with which they are ut
tered.
Charles Mclean is a man of large men,
tai capacity, his faculties seem to me we'll
balanced and vigorous.
But am gettlEg too dlffuse Mr. Nc
Leans early life was passed in his native
place, Highland town, boldly rerched on
the hanks of the Fryth Ut Clyde, where d
about 40 miles acrUss to the opposite
Lowlands, the nearest point Of which Is not
far from the birthplace of Robert Burns.
His opportunities tor educat ION were un-
usually good, even for Scotland; after few
year, at the parish school, which, by the
way, differs from our public schools, In
that it is not free schaol-he passed to an
academy If considsnAbls celebrity not only
in the Immediate vicinity, but having m It
pupils from various parts vi the world. 1t
was capable Of atiordIng a. st-class educa-
tron second only to the great natlonal col
leges. The advantages VI this school ne
| enjoyed Tor nearly tive years, the two last
Of which were without cost for tuition, the
generous proprietor having thus rewarded
some acts Of courage in his pupil III saving
| life from drowning.
| understand from Mr. Mclean that il
was his intention to pursue his education
for professional lie, but the death of his
father at this critical period defeated that
/
of a situation in merchants office Ill GIas-
gov he continued III mercantile life until,
1T the age Of % years, he cun~luded to try
his fortune IN America, where he arrived
-'anding at New YOrk-in lS4l. Tie
1 IL wing spring he removed To Boston,
and, finding no suitable employment, he
| apprentlced himself 10 the trade Of a plas-
terer, which occupation--as his means Of
l.velinood-he has followed ever SINCE.
lie Was for several years president Of the
International Union Of PiastereIs, and
was the hrst and last president VI that
association until, as he says, II changed Its
character 20 secret y. Xanlzatlon, since
which he has had no Official connection with
| 1t.
He has been frequent delegate to ma
tional and other conventions, aid ON his
return from one Of these-the National
Labor Union, held at Pnlladelphiar-he was
the only mechanic in Boston, outside u
the CrlspIn organization, who took part
IN calling a convention tor political action.
This convention resulted III the nomIna-
tiou Of Mr.. Chamberlin for governor, Mr..
Mclean having virtually declined the nom
Ination ON the grounds that he was Of
foreign birth and was unwilling to excite
national prejudice.
| During this campaign and every
campaign since In which political
action has been taken by labor-re-
formers in this State, Mr.. Mclean has
taken prominent part In advocacy VI his
viesA HIS intense individuality aud con-
scieationsness have frequently brought him
into antagonism with the other members Of
the party, without, however, weakening
their respect for the honesty Of his convIc-
tIons.
The t~o years following Mr.. Chamber
lain's campaign, on the invitation of the
State Central Committee of the New Hamp-
shire labor refurmers, he took the stump in
that State "a conf alton with the late g.
p. Cummings and X. F. Trevellick Il
Michigan, dunng which he delivered many
speeches in favor of labor reform measures
and nominations.
At the convention Of the National Labor
Union held in Cincinnati in h. he was
present, with Mr. Cummings az his col
league, a. delegate from the Massachusetts
State branch OF the same uL.ion the prom
inent part he took there and the ability he
displayed led to his being invited by the
Kentucky delegates to accompany them to
Louisville, where he assisted in the cam
paign in the labor interest.
His next political work was in the State
Of Connecticut by invitation of Alexander
TrouP and other prominent reformers. He
apoke in several parts Of that State with
his usual effectiveness and success
He also assisted Horace H. Day of New
York in organizing q system of district
committees in that city, united in CEN
trail organization Of 63 members, repre-
senting q districts, into which they divid-
cd ths city, the object being to render
their political work more effective.
Returning to Boston he was soon again
in demand, this time by the miners of
Pennsylvania, who sent their president to