Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-11-30

A RAMPANT WORKINGMAN.

Ed. JOURNAL: - Believing that yonr
paper has large circulation among the
lAboring class, 1 seek its columns with
this article, "a Word to Workingmen:
Election is over, and we are not saved.
The great majority of waged workers are
under the vasz'Iage capitalistc parties
Their votes and voices have cheered the
hearts OF the robbers of labor. Again are
our ignorance and weakness exposed to the
common enemy. Think of it oh, We toll
ers This is the picture that history will
paint The monied, aristocratic, ruling
class sapping the foundations of the Re
public, clieered on in their work bv the
divided forces of labor, under the names
of Republicans aud Democrats, words that
have exactly the same meaning. The cap
italists seek to cOniound and confuse tile
people. They belle their names. for they
prevent the administration of the govern
ment by the people. The only real ques-
tion between them is, the possession of
power; and yet election day witnessed the
sad and terrible sight OF hundreds Of thous-
ands Of workingmen taking sides upon the
question OF which king should rule.
The Republican politician pats the col
ored man on the hack, aud the Democrat
nudges the Irishman. Color and creeds-
native and foreign-divide u.s. Here, in
this factory or in that workshop, are
wretched workmen. They all agree that
they work too long for too little pay ; but
instead OF discussing how to get m ere for
the results OF their labor and how To live
more like men, they discuss the Southern
Policy, and Civil Service Reform. They
buy the capitalistic party papers, attend
their meetings, cheer the candidates, and
return to their work, not knowing that
they are but the dupes of designing men.
There is no class of men who so utterly
forget their own interests, aud the interests
of their class, as the wOrkingmen. The
bankers may divide at the polls but they
unite as one man in Congress, for their tools
are there. But the division of the laborers
at the polls is final, so far as legislation is
concerned, for they are unrepresented
To remedy these evils, a certain class of
so-cailed ahor-leaders many of them
honest men, and anxious to do good-have
urged and repeatedly tried political action
And to what purpose The distraction of
the public mind, confusion of honest stu
dents, Reorganization CT workngmen, and
lasting hindrance to genuine labor or
ganization. Agitation and organization
must prepare the way for action. Work
ingmen, are you ready? Now is the time
to lay the foundation OF movement that
shall mean more bread for hungry mouths,
and more time for the development Of
brain and heart.
l received a platform OF the NatiAnals Of
Toledo, o., and l was surprised ut such II
platform. There was not a question of
labor in it. 1t is no more than branch
of the capitalstic party.
The following is the genuine
woRKINGMEN's PLATFORM:
1st. Eight hours for the present ns
normal working day, and legal punishment
of all violations.
"a. Sanitary inspection Of all condi-
tions of labor, means of substance and
dwellings included.
Sd. Establishment of bureaus of labor
statistics in all states ms we'll as by the Ma.
tional Government. The officers Of these
bureaus to be taken from the ranks of the
labor organizations and elected by them.
4th. Prohibition of the use OF prison
labor by private employers.
9th. Prohibitory laws against the en-
ployment OF children under the age of IA
years in industrial establishments.
9th. Gratuitus instruction in all educa-
tional institutions.
7th. Strict laws making employers liza
BILE for all accidents to the injury Of their
employees
8h. Gratuitous administration of ius-
tice in all courts of law.
9th. Abolition of all conspiracy laws.
10th. Railroads, telegraphs, and all
means OF transportion to be taken hold of
and operated by the government.
Ii such platform was the foundation
OF our government, we wonld have fewer
tramps in the country, and less starvation
in our cities. There is to-day famine in
far off India. Thousands are dying. Gods
rain has refused to fall. But, dear reader,
are you aware that there is famine in our
land. Yes, there is famine in NewYork,
Chicago, st. Louis, and in fact throughout
the entire land. Thousands are starving
to death in land of plenty. Gods rains
have not refused to fall The ground has
sent forth its annual abundance. Then why
this famine? All reader, it is an artificial
famine. Who has caused it7 You know
but too well who has caused it, by your
weekly wages. And now, in conclusion.
let me say to you, fellow workers, that in
the future vote for your own interests, not the
interests of capital In nay next, | will
give you nm idea Of the situation of the
poor in this city. F.P.M.
CHICAGO, Nov. 90, 1877.