Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-31
The WOrkiBgD

1 WopHINc%TS To .sCUssED-THE DUTY OF
RESPONSIBLE LF MS NoT p BnE Law
A special NEE 6ina If the wortinarnan'o 80.
sembly was h I'D last evening ..to tata into
eonsioeiatio Il the proposed reduction of police
Ipsyyhiu .ther matters of interest to this as
SeIaoste There was a large attendance of
isaac and among the spectators were
s3SaJ chen and MIR. Speer. DR.. Thomas pre-
S,uo' with CIV. Speir secretary pro tenn.
TX -OLUTIONs IN RELATION TO THE LATE LA
BOR TROUBLE.
Mr.. j: 2. Hamilton offered resolutions that
the action OF the supervising architect in let
ting to contract certain work under his super
VISION 10 irresponsible contractors at such a
low inquire, knowing as he does that the work
G Gin t Hot De done iOr such sum without swim
10 responsible contractors who are willing to
pay liberal wages that the National Working
mems men assembly, composed OF representatives
from all the trades in the city, denOunce the
manner in which contracts are let, and eau
upon the architect to pay more attention to
responsible contractors than TO the lowest bid,
Tor In doing so he not only does justice to the
WOrkmen, but does away with a class OF men
who are neither responsible nor willing to pay
honest wages; that while we are opposed TO
violence In carrying out their demands, We
uphold, and will sustain in any fair and honor
able way, the wOrkmen who held out and de-
manded fair days pay for their sci vices in
The recent trouble at the new bureau OF priut
ing building; that the only way the working.
men will ever obtain their rights is by united
front, only obtained by strong organization;
and we appeal to them to cut loose from I'M
known and irresponsible leaders, as such only
tend to Injure instead of doing good, and hold
their meetings in halls and under the prOtec
ton of this assembly,
- NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RIOTERS
Mr.. Chase, of the bOokDinderS, asked what
this assembly had to do with the rioters. 1t
had ignored these parties altogether, and had
refused to hear communication from Mr.
Cohen, and it seemed to him ridiculous now
TO consider resolutions endorsing them.
MI Hamilton said that the object was to
give these laDOrerS who are not organized, the
support OF the assembly, and it was the duty
OF the assembly to protect them. While we are
more fortunate and have the cOuntenance of
the merchants and citizens, we should assist
the unOrganized. We had never ignored the
laOollng men. but the so called leaders, who
are irresponsible.
MIR. Barker said that the assembly had never
ignored the labOring men, but had ignored
some who are not la boring men and yet claim
TO be the leaders. They had endeaVored to
organize them. He was heartily in sympathy
with the resolutions, and, while he repudiated
all unlawful acts, he should give oppressed
WOrklngmen ENCOURAGEMENT.
DIR. Thomas (lr. Hamilton in the chair) said
that this was an important meeting, for the
assembly should now place itself right before
as the course OF the assembly. they should re-
mtmGer tn2t during the whole OF last winter
they battled against
THE ATTEMPT TO PAUPERIZE LABOR
When the Labor Exchange made an EFFORT to
reduce wages from LIS to 50 cents per day.
TINS assembly was the first to denouuce this
attempt TO enrich the contractors and the head
and front of the Labor Exchange. He well
remembered that contractor was charged
with attempting to use this fifty cent labor,
and from that time they had battled against it,
The credentials referred To were from an IN.
known party, cooked up Oh the street corners,
and when the committee on this application
made their report it was adopted by unani-
nous vote. He defended the action OF the
assembly, and said the committee on organi-
cation had received instructions to organize
the labOring men, He asked if there was any
delegation present who would receive such
credentials as had been presented. This body
was not organized, and it seemed to be moth
ing more than
a STREET CORNER CROWD
They must be organized properly, be brought
into the halls, and not harangued on the street
corners. They must be fully instructed as to
their duties, one of which IS to observe the
laws. III they are to do business in a cIap~trap
manner there will be constant trouble. They
should understand that the best aud proper
way TO advance their interests is to observe
the laws, remembering that the men who
harangue the mob and excite to deeds of
violence, are not the workingmen'S friends.
The press to-day is supporting those who are
making bold efforts to advance the cause of
the laboring men, but condemn all mob vIo
lence; and
WITH THE AID OF THE PRESS
they will succeed. There are men in every
community who will work for pittance, but
We should not attempt by deeds of violence to
injure the cause, but make ourselves liable TO
the law. We should SO bring our cause before
the public as TO obtain the Endorsement of the
people generally, and he had no doubt but
that the action tonight would be such,
that even the architect III question will see
the justice OF the demands upon him, and in
future will be more careful i'll awarding con-
tracts so that the contractors viii be aOe to
pay living wages. In a legal fight for their
rights they would have the aid OF all good citi-
ZenS, but If they attempt violence the power of
of mn lilo
opinion IS greater than the power of rocks
cast at the heads policemen or men engaged
at work.
STARVATION CONTRACTS.
Mr.. Meany said that the resolutions did not
go far enough, and he hoped that as out of
the aprising of last week had come this meet
ing, that following the arrangement of Archi-
tect Hill would be the arraignment of Col.
Casey and every public officer who SUI } let
contracts to the detriment of the workingmen.
Notwithstanding MIR. Mullet was regarded as
an enemy to the wOrkingmen, because he
would not enforce the hour law, he had never
sold out Il contract, and he made such con-
uactS that men could make fair wages under
them. Such was not the case with Architect
Hill. He said that the work in cOnnec-
ton with the White Lot contract was fat
one, and the men could be paid well.
Mr.. j. l. Hall explained the contract at some
length, calling attention to the change made
by Architect Hill, and giving a long array OF
That Hussey started his men at only IS cents
per day
MIR. PlaSS and others called Mr.. Hall to Or
der, and some one remarked that they had
heard this speech before at the corner OF 7th
street and Pennsylvania avenue.
Mr.. Hall was allowed five minutes more and
after reading more figures, he said that the
figures at which the contract was given were
too low, and that his sympathieS were with the
wOrkingmen, who should receive fair days
pay for fair days work.
NECESSITY OF ORGANIZATION
MIR. Armstrong Said that when he offered
The resolution providing for the organization
OF the labOring men, he expected the commit
Tee To go TO work, but week had passed and
he had heard nothing OF an organization. Had
the committee done its duty there would have
been no necessity for this meeting The pseS-
ldent OF the assembly had arraigned COhen
and it was bad policy for the resolutions to ar
raIgn the architect. He objected to the word
irresponsible being used, and asked that it be
stricken out He claimed that they should de-
mand freedom of speech (applauseI. The au-
thOrltles had no right to arrest Cohen for in
citing riot. He was not here to vindicate
Cohen, but II they passed this violation OF law
unnoticed 1t would not be long before they
would come I'D the assembly and stop them
Since his residence here he had seen two yiO-
latiOnS OF the first amendment to the cOnStitu-
ton
THE ARREST OF DOM PIATT AND THE AR
REST OF COHEN,
"a yOice.-BOth for capital offences He hoped
that the resolution would be amended so as to
condemn the action OF the authorities
Mr.. Hamilton refused to accept an amend.