National Republican., 1878-08-07
Lively Meeting Last N,sht.u

Lively Meeting Last NiGhtI
The regular meeting Of the Workingmen's
Assembly was held last evening, Mr.. Alfred
Thomas in the chair, Z. L. Barker, secretary
pro ten.
Mr. Spicr, from the committee on organ
iEation, submitted the following proposition to
bring about . perfect and permanent organ
iEation Of the laborers Of the District, which
was unanimously agreed to;
There shall be formed In each ward Of this city
distinct and separate labor organization, and any
laborer or mechanic who Is not represented BY q
trades union shall he requested to Join his respect
i've ward organization. These labor organizations
shall send their delegates to the Assembly. Thus
ns sea ss % s'Gr y Of e
ize the difficulty In carrying ont these plans, and
we therefore must ask your cooperation. We rec
ommend that, under tho auspices OF the Assembly,
every alternate Tuesday night grand mas. meet.
ing be held in front Of the City Hall to rouse the
laboring men and to prepare them for their organ
izntion.
II also necessary that a committee on agitation
should be formed TO consist Of fifteen or twenty
good and reliable speakers; whose duty II shall be
TO educate the laborng classes and TO ngitatc the
organization Of all vorkingmen.
II you adopt these plan, they will give you for
will no; be even thanked for; but, as workingmcn
II remains for us only To say, Do your duty.
Mr.. Hamilton, from the maSs-meeting COM
mittee, submitted report, showing the amount
Of money subscribed for the mass. meeting held
the 5th Of June, 1873, to be Sl29.60. The re-
port was referred to the finance committee.
The secretary pro ten. read n comm nunication
from
THE BooKBISDERs' UNION,
in which notice was given Of the withdrawal
OF the delegates Of that union from the As
sembly.
Before any action was taken, Mr. Thomas, Of
the seeding organization, and president of the
Assembly, surrendered the chair to Mr.. Cram
ston and obtained the floor. lie stated that
the Assembly had been treated with great dis
respect by the bookbinders by the publication
of the notice of withdrawal in the daily papers
before notifying the Assembly. The speaker
stated that the reason must be given for the
withdrawal, and he proposed to unveil the con.
spiracy which lie knew had been Matched to
break up the Assembly. Some time ago new
delegation from his Union had been elected to
the Assembly, whose constant aim since their
entrance seemed TO be directed against the In
terests of the Assembly. They had been
chronic growlers, and had opposed every reso-
luton offered, no matter what Its import might
be. These men, finding that they could not
control tho Assembly, had compelled their
Union to withdraw, and he congratulated the
Assembly upon the fact that they were about
to get rid of discordant element.
The question was taken upon the reception
OF the Communication from tho Bookbinder'
Union. and II was unanimously decided to &C.
cept the notice of withdrawal.
THE FIRST MAss-MEETISG.
On motion OF Mr.. Spier II was decided to
hold the first Of q series of mass meetings for
the proper organization of the unemployed
laborers Of the District at the City Hall next
Monday evening, at half past seven o'clock.
Messrs. Hamilton, Mcdonald, aud others
If ala latt hiatt
was the only way TO reach the masses.
Mr.. Plass offered the following preamble
and resolutions:
Whereas the BookbndeIs' Association hav,
withdrawn their delegates from this Assembly. and
while we regret the absence OF portion Of such
delegation from cur active membership be II
| R,Eoirod, That the thanks Of this Assembly are
| due TO. and are heartily rendered, the Bookbnd
| ers Association for having removed nom among
us the only discor,iant element that we have beer
afflicted with since our organization; and be II
| further
| Received, That the thanks OF this Assembly arc
| hereby rendered 10 Dr. Alfred Thomas and Mr.
| William &. Evans Of the Bookbindcrs' delegation
for ihcir1 sincere aud earne' efforts In ourbehalf
| vices as active members we hope that they viii
| give US as honorary members OF this Assembl!
their aid aud councilin the future as they hav'
80 ably and honorably done in the past and be
| II further
ResCvrst, That the secretary Of this Assembly b
instructed TO forward copy OF these resolutions Il
the Bookbinders' Society.
A number of delegates made earnest speeche
in favor Of the adoption OF the resolutions and
upon a vote being taken, there was but on
dissenting voice.
The following committee was appointed b
procure speakers and make arrangements 70
the meeting next Monday evening: Messr.
| Hamilton, Clarkson, Stewart, Waters, KopI
Emmons, Boston, Fallon, McCarty, aud Chris
tian.
| THE CONTRACT SYSTEM
Mr.. Armstrong offered the following pream
ble and resolutions, which were agreed to:
Whereas the letting aud performing of Govern
ment work by contract inures solely to the bcuct
OF contractors, and Is directly In opposition to tn
Interests Of the workingmcn and this distinctlo
and preference being contrary 10 the spirit OF kt
publican form of government In that 1t fosters an
enriches the favored few at the expense OF the di,
tressed many;
) And whereas oil that is saved by such contrac
| ing on the part of the Government is saved 10 IN
contractor at the expense OF the poor workingmai
and Is not saving as affecting the nation: Their
fore
earnestly against the contract system, and most G.
pecially against the letting Of contracts by Cover
lHent officials who have an option aud are n,
bound by direct and pcrempiory provisions Of Ia
" obtain work done by contract.
2 That this Assembly, being informed that Il
Of reroofns the Tatent Onise by contract or day
work q committee Of five members be HppOntC
10 wait on Secretary schurz, lay the views of til
ANscIuDA DtlOIe hllnJ we nOlIOIhDlc St
rCtary TO have said work performed directly |
/ Government, without the intervention of middl
, men or contractors. Aud said committee is herel
authorized TO associate with II one more gentl
{ men Of influence Not members Of this Assembl
to accompany 1t on said mission.
The following committee was appointed
wait upon the Secretary Of the Interior al
r state the views of the Assembly In the matt
e of contracts; Messrs. Armstrong, Maher, Wa
a SOL, Plass, aud Jewett.
. The Assembly then went into executi'