Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-13

A mass meeting was held last night in front
of the City Hall, under the auspices OF the
WGrkiugmel's Assembly, the intention being
20 hold series of these meetings, at the same
place for the purpose OF aW wa an inter
With view to thorough organization in each
ward of the District and a more complete rep
resentation of the various trades in the Work
in MI J. P. Hamilton, of the Typographical
Union, was called to the chair, and made
brief and clear statement of the obi cts they
had in view in projecting these mass meet
iDgs.
CAPT. NJ VERSUS LABOR.
He then introduced DIR. Alfred Thomas who
made long address on the subject Of capital
VS. labor. After speaking of the response
biities that rest on the workingmen OF the
country, he proceeded to show the necessity
for organization, but discouraged any act
which would tend to array capital against
labor, or rice UerSa. Capital is always organ
lied for self-prOtectiOn, and why should not
labor be. He claimed that there must be unity
between all classes of labor, including bO,h
skilled and unskilled. He pointed out the
immense ADVANTAGES which the laboriag
organization: favored the
EIGHT HOUR LAW,
both for employees in the United States service
and III private workshops. Eight hours is a
sufficient time for man to work in the fervid
heat of the sun, and both employer and en-
plOyed would be better served. He said it Was
a tallacy that labor organizations were uncon
Ill
their tendencies. when led by men Of candor
and reason; claimed that railroad lords, fac
tory lords and capitalists are always perfectly
organized some of these organizations are
close corporations, but all were organize /, aud
all work together in common interest He
recited what had already Deen accomplished
throughout this country by an incomplete Or
ganlZatlOn OF labor, and how much m )re can
be done by more complete plan. Already
are OvertureS being made by capitalists and
by political leaders.
POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN AWAKENED
to sense OF their danger, and capital is bow
ing to labor organizations and the sovereignty
of labor. If the politicians can be made to
tremble so can the railroad and factory lords.
The result of labor organizations has been
shown by the liberal appropriations made by
our representatives In Congress at the last
session for the OrnamentatiOn of the nations
capital but really for the purpose of putting
idle men at work in this District. 1t becomes
our builders. contractors, merchants, bankers
and all others having the use OF capital, to re-
Those who do lot should be noted by the lat
ter. The obligations between all are mutual.
and the benefits should also be mutual.
What affects the la borer affects the merchant.
and in turn all trades and professions are
affected through common Sympathy. The
W0rh1ngmen here are pot communists: they
ask not Tor bread or blood; they do not adv0-
cate any division OF money or wealth, but they
insist ON the recognition OF the dignity and
rights Of labor. He urged the Immediate and
thorough organization of the skilled aud un-
skilled labor of this District, and their repre-
sentation in The WOrkingmen's Assembly.
ADDRESSES WERE ALSO MADE
by MIR. B. q. Mcdonald Mr.. E. L. Barker and
MIR. Richard EmmOnS. covering very nearly
the same range of topics, and of the same
tenor.
Mr. Hamilton announced that this was the
first OF series oil ike meetings Further an.
nOuncementS through the CITY press would
state the times for future meetings. and in the
rean time organizations in the several wards
OF the District would be effected, of which due
notice would be given. They do not propose
to meet on street corners nor advocate incen-
diary and dangerous doctrines, but to meet
manner
COHEN's OPPOSITION MEETING.
During the evening Cohen with his followers
the west wing of the city hall, and kept up a
din of confusion, first by rambling speeches
and then by camp meeting songs. The police
kept perfect order.