, 1877-03-04
THE wORKINGMEN.

THE woRK1NGMEN.
A Meeting in Favor of the National Bureau
of Statistics, Etc.
4 mass-meetiug Of worklngmen Was heio az
Vorwnerts Turncr-Hall on West Twelfth street
last evening for the purpose OF considering tue
various laws in favor OF the Worklnsnen no"
pending before the Legislature, and to asltate
the establishment of q National Bureau Oh
Labor Statistics. The workingmcnd did not turn
out as heavily as was expected, only about 1oo
persons being present.
The meeting Was organized By the election OF
Mr.. Coldyater as Chairman and Mr. Morgan rs
Secretary, After the Chairman had stated that
the meeting had been called for the purpose OF
considering the establishment OF National
Bureau Of Labor Statistics, and the reading OF
bill in regard to this matter 1ntrooneeo LII tne
Legislature By Mr.. Sheridan, ri
MR. PARSONS
was introduced as the first speaker. he, aiter
referring to the small number OF persons pres
ent, and attributing it to the poverty o. Inc
workingmen, WHO could not afford to come out
in such bad. weather, not having good
who Who had come came to give expression
to the necessity Of establishing such branch.
They could not give. much heed to the. pro
LESSONS OF officials and politicians. for 1t has al,
ways been found that after election they caIco
h,,I littlc Tor the worliugmen. He houed the
Representatives OF this State would prove an
nsht to demand that the Representatives work
iu Their interest. He referred to the Convict
Labor bill, which would have been laid upon the
table but Tor the noble stand taken by Senator
Kehoe TIE Torngen wo1ld iebnr cams int' m
direct competition with them. Incy haa
their wants aud social duties which
had to be paid for, which the convict convict
had not. r the convict comes into &c eompeti5,on
! man. would be driven to starvation or q still
worse fate. Convict-labor benefited only the
contracting classes, but not the general puollc.
| There was also a law before the Legislature ~ ~
| regard TO the collection Of wages. Those who
had no law suits for the collection OF wages uio
| not know how hatI It was for the workanEmen
| to get their just dues. Il they won the case IN
the lower courts it was carried to hlgher ones,
the the laborer could live on sawdust, not
to speak Of the cost Of carrylng on these suits.
4 population Of about 65, goo human souls C de-
might be enabled to enjoy the result ~ OF their
| lahors. The worliugmen's party Of ILLINOIS was
| also working for the establishment OF bureau
n National Labor Statistics. They must see to
| it that this matter.Was carried through. 1t was
demanded for various reasons, which we're con-
'''11s' ''' PETITION 70 CONGRESS: =. .
We. the undersigned workingmen Of Chicago, in
the State Of illinois: being forced fhrougn ne ae
the conviction that the ''lassez 1a,re, ia,ssez
alIer : doctrine Of the .'Manchester School, op-
posing interference Of the State in the departments
Of Industry, il essentially inhuman and unworthy
the civilization OF the nineteenth century, zee!
ourselves Obliged through force Of circumstances
| to demand that the Government extend protectlon
tn o caseas OF citizens through such effective lnMs
as time aud progress may render necessary. To
On atttee o Glass;
every citizen should be enabled 70 Obtain
information regarding the habits and condition OF
It is especially our firm conviction that know,
ledge of the industrial, socinl. cducat1onal, anu
sanitary condition OF the worns oiaa1ea 5ea a1 ~
pass laws demanded by the Development OF soeiesys
and as the most effective means Of dthutfng snca
hnppvrabe npb :boly to take Immediate steps toward
I the establishment Of q National Bureau Of LABOR
The duties Of 5d 1qreaq sheud Sf
details relating to all or-depaEtments through
out tho land he same to be published yearly and
rect information regarding wages and earnings cost
and manner OF living fatal accidents IA eacn
branch q labor lheE nnoss and e SaIses, ssVng'
nneration. educatlon, hours Of labor. employment
;n;urlous to health {nun,ber Of sufferers and the
Of Nth 81
! conclusions and recommendattoas. na ~,
The Bureau should be granted power to send fol
persons and papers, and 10 examine Witnesses IN u
der oath, said witnesses being paid proper ices ou
| dealt with as for contempt IN case q reInzn! te
testify The officers of said gnEean saoao ond TG en- r.
chosen by the various labor organizations in thu
United States, their: election confirmed By Con 20
erees. and while capable and trustworthy the1
| should be continued permanently IN ONCE =
/ They. the workingmcn, demanded the estao
1Ishment OF such Bureau, and the indication
were TINT the pressure from all over tue Onltet