The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-04-15
AETECONVICT LABOR MEETING.
what the WOrhingmen Said and
Did Saturday Night.

The workingmen who insugurated the
movement in opposition to the present
system of letting convict labor have
reason TO congratulate themselves on
their success thus far. Reports from diff
ferenL sections OF the State indicate q
healthy sentiment in favor ofthe reform
demanded. Tho meeting on Saturday
night at the Nail City Boat Club House
was more largely attened than my
of its predecessors and those
who were absent lost an opportunity of
listening 70 some earnest and eloquent
as well as instructing speeches. One of
the features not the least worthy of note
in connection with these speeches is the
fact that the speakers do not talk for the
sake of talking, but stop when they are
through. The addresses showed a thor
ough appreciation and study OF the sub
ject.
Representatives were present from
the following branches OF mechan-
ical industries. Nsilers, Machlnsts,
Cigar Makers, Steel Workers, TIN
workers, carpenters, glsssmakers, sc,
VIM. II. Travis, Esq the President, os
cupied the chair, and Mr.. a. L. Wells
was Secretary. After reading the MIN
utes of the previous meeting, which
were approved, the Committee on Print
ing reported they had had five hundred
petitions printed for distribution through
out the State. 1t Is expected these will
be filed with the names of signers in
the course of three or four weeks, and
returned TO the committee here for pre-
sentation to the proper officers.
1 he Committee on Hall reported
through their Chairman, Mr. Peters, that
the Nail City Boat Club werc willing
their hall should be used for the meetings
of these in favor of this movement at
any time. On motion vote Of thanks
was unanimously passed thanking the
club tor their kindness. A ringing
speech was made by Mr.. w, B. Lewis,
in which he forcibly portrayed the evils OF
thepresent system OF letting convict labor
and explained TO his hearers what they
might expect in the course OF 8 few
months if change is not effected. Mr..
Lewis remarks were loudly appsuded.
Mr.. Travis reviewed the progress Of the
movement ia well chosen and eloquent
speech, full of encouragement, in which
he stated the number of signers TO the
petitions as far as reported to be upwards
of 1000. Short speeches were made
by Mess:s. James Carroll, A. l..
Wells, Capt. PIankey, Mr.. Thompson
O'Nesl and Lisson.
The chair appointed SIS q finance COM
mittee Messrs. Thomas Lewis, of the
Greek mill, chsirman SIsson and Plan
key, of the cigar makers, Hagen, of Cen
ire Wheeling, A. l.. Wells, Of the River.
side mill, Clykor and Capt. PIsnkey, of
the carpenters. On motion, the President
was added to the committee.
The Secretary then read communics.
ton published in Saturdays REGISTER,
in reply to Capt. Bridges letter, which
was approved BY the large number pres
ent.
On motion, the finance committee was
authorized to pay all bills heretofore con-
trsctcd and to make all arrangements
for mass meeting 10 be held whenever
deemed eIpediont by them. Alter an
announcement that the finance commit.
tee would meet next Saturday night, the
meeting adjourned.