Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-11
WORKINGMEN
Manifesto Of the Central Committed
Of the WOrkingmen's Party Of
hemphis-What Is Wanted
BY the New Party.

~ 49, NN14ANo Va AnRANn
and labor. We can see no conflict nee.
e%ssarily existing between them. That
the capitalist and laborer should CO ope.
rate for their mutual benefit, each recog.
nizing the advantages that would accrue
from a closer and more enlightened
union Of their efforts which should make
their interests Identical, we look upon as
a fundamental truth that should be ac-
cepted by both parties. We further dis
claim all motives other than those tend
ing to the good of the workingman in
filing official positions. Far from being
our great object, Office at best is but a
means through which the desired end
may be obtained. In selecting public
servants, however, we shall do all in our
power to exclude the chronic Office
seeker as well as all who are unable to
cope with their fellows in that walk of
life where fortune has placed them. We
shall endeavor to choose men for Office
who, if guided exclusively by interested
motives, should find it to their advantage
TO decline. Pledged to the reforms con-
templated, we shall demand in our off.
Gals capacity and integrity. Sach men
are found in all classes, fulfilling their
duties sincerely and quietly, shrinking
from public notoriety, despising the de-
signing ~demagogue who cajoles and the
political sycophsnt who hatters and be-
trays. Such men never ask for office,
but on such our strongest hopes are
built. We shall endeavor to use every
effort in future State and national cleo
tons to the end hat a reformation in
legislation may be attained, recognizing
what is palpable 70 all intelligent men
that such legislation has tended hereto.
fore to the advantage OF the rich only,
ignoring altogether the necessities of the
poor. In January next the municipal
elections are to take place in this city,
and questions Of vital importance to the
welfare of this community will be 10.
volved. We, tie workingmen, who lave
everything to lose if the prosperity of
Memphis Is not consulted in the eleva.
ton to municipal office of honest and
competent men, would, alter mature de.
liberation and consultation, suggest the
adoption Of the following principles,
which we believe will be conducive to
the general and lasting welfare of this
people. These principles-brief, plain
and easily understood-are as follows:
First-We advocate a single term Of
Office for all positions within the munici.
pal jurisdiction, the incumbent to be
ineligible to reelection.
Second-We favor a more economical
administration Of the city government,
and the reduction Of all salaries paid to
city officials; and that the salaries paid
be propsrtioned to the duties performed,
as measured BY the compensation paid
private persons for equal work.
Third-As an act OF common justice,
we demand that all public employees be
adequately and promptly paid fer their
services.
Fourth-We believe that in payment
of salaries to employees, the humblest, or
those receiving the least, should be paid
Grst, and that, if there should be a scarcity
Of public funds, the mayor, and not the
laborer, should be required to wait.
Fitth-We demand a reformation
touching the disposition of convictlabor,
or those working out fines imposed by
the city government.
Sixth-We favor the city government
granting to all railroads and other com.
mon carriers converging in Memphis all
such facilities for transportation as will
not conflict with the interests of the city;
provided such railroads and common
carriers do not discriminate against
Memphis.
Seventh - We shall encourage the
establishment of all manufacturing en-
terprises as conducive to the material
interests of Memphis, and deem it a wise
policy in the city government to hold out
inducements to capitalists to invest in
such enterprises in this city.
Eighth-Deeming the public health Of
essential importance to the well.being of
the city, we favor extending the power of
the board of health so as to insure its
efficiency.
Ninth-We favor the rigid collection
Of all taxes, State and municipal, with
out respect to persons, 10 the end that
each aud every citizen may bear 6 pro-
portionate share of the public expense.
Tenth-We demand, as a needed pro
lection to labor, a mechanics and labor
ers' lien law.
With the foregoing remedial agents
applied to the ills of the city government
under which the people suffer, we hon
estly believe a happy and greatly needed
reformation in the business interests of
Memphis will be- achieved. In oonclu.
sion, we would reiterate that principle
laid down in the platform adopted here.
toiore, to.wit; I'VE recognize as working
men all classes OF the community who
labor for on honest maintenance ia any
capacity, and invite all such to unite
With US, irrespective of race or COLOR"
We make this reiteration to silence a
rumor that our association is composed
only Of w%orkingmen in the technical
sense Of the word, and to prove that we
are liberal and tolerant, ard anxious to
have all industrious and honest men
join our ranks and work for the common
good.
j. W. ANDERSON, President.
CHAs. AARON, First Vice Pres't.
THos Foley, Second Vice Pres't.
CORNELIUS RAwLINs, Rec. Sec'y.
WIN. HoRGAN, Cor. Seo'y.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
First ward IA. Renkert, Thomas
Keely, NJ. H. Kelley.
Second ward-E. r. Jack, Wm. Loeb.
meyer, John B. Ford.
Third wsrd-Charles Legion, Charles
Philmott, P. Scullen.
Fourth ward-A. X. Gillen, Thomas
Randolph, Louis Marshall.
Fifth ward-R. R Jones, G. W. Gill,
John II. johnson.
Sixth ward-M. B%rosman, VIM. Ryan,
/. Happek.
Seventh ward-C. Van Kuntz, Frank
Kukla, D. c. Woodruff.
Eighth ward-William Dean, Charles
Aaron, Glenn Harris.
~