, 1879-07-27
Gl,EENBACKS.
Feeble Rag-Baby Demonstration
Last Evening.
CONGRESSMAN Wright Crates on Labor
and Cheap Money,
And Advocates His Amendment to the
Homestead Law.

strationn at the Baseball Park last evening,
under the auspices Of the Nattona1-Grcenback-
Labor party, was not the success antlcloateo,
though there were nearly 1,000 people present.
Most of them, however, were attracted by the
music, while good many Socialists attended to
hear some OF the Congressman talk. 1t IS
doubtful if there were 200 genuine Greenbackers
In the crowd. Only one speech was made, Mf.
Murch, OF Maine, being detained at home by an
accident to his wife. The Elgin Baud, about
the best in the Northwest, furnished the music,
which wns well worth listening to, though there
wasn't very much OF it.
The gathering was called to order at $3.50 BY
William Haley, who nominated George =.
Bowen for Chairman. He was, Of course, elect
ed, and, after returning thanks, referred to the
Congressional Committee now In this city, who
are to investigate the causes OF the business
stagnation throughout the country, saying that
he trusted they would bo enlightened while
here.
A committee was appointed to pass the hat,
In order to raise money to meet the expenses.
While the collection vas being taken the band
played several airs.
CONGRESSMAN Il. B. WRIGHT,
OF Pennsylvania, was then introduced, and START
ed out by expressing bis satisfaction at meeting
the worl1ngmen OF Chicago. He had come to
talk about one Of the most momentous ques-
tions that could engage the attention Of the
people.-the rights OF man. [Applause.1 BE
had no recrimination to cast upon any party or
auy branch OF business or trade. His mission
was not to say angry words, but to talk to the
laboripg men Of Chicago about thos. rights
which, under the Constitut tion and the laws,
were guaranteed to them, and which they ought
to have and to enjoy. [Applanse. He was not
an advocate Of the cause Of labor because II was
going to be of nny advantage to him: He had
reached the meridian OF lte and had made
league between the laborins man and
himself to devote the remnant Of his life to
amelioratng their condition. [Applause.l For
ten ycsrs he had devoted his time to the sub
iect, aud bis advocacy Of the cause bad brought
upon him the eumitq Of men who represent
capital. But he cared nothing for it. He was
in no danger from the moueV rings. The coun-
men were paid full wages and had enough to
sustain themselves and families beyond want
during twelve months OF the year. There could
bc no prosperity wlthout:tt- That was the 1oun-
dation Of prosperity. No enterprise couio DC
sustained unless there was healthy condition
be brought about4 His reflection had
led him to the conclusion that the rights OF the
laboring-man In the legislation Of the country
ought to be equal With those Of capital, or any
OF the Industries Of the country. Applause
He didn't want the rights Of labor made sub
servient to the money or the industrial inter-
ests. Labor and capital should stand on one
platform, each having eauai'rlshts. tAppIause']
THE COUNTRY COULD NOT PROSPER
unless that ru1c was observed. His experience
in Congress showed him that the contrary was
the case. Capital always had the inside track.
and therefore the benefit in the race. Those
who advocated the rights OF labor there
were denounced as demasognes and
fools sxtenths Of the NV whoe idn,t poDdaGn sHa N
their might and dictate the legislation, they had
NO right to claim any. He did not encourage
the idea that they should abandon the shop aud
turn politicians, but what he meant WIS that
they should lay down the rule OF conduct to be
observed by tile agent they sent to Congress,
because, after all, the man they selected vas
merely the representative of their OWN 0pinlon2=
MIR. Wright then referred to bis supplement-
to the Homestead law, bv which S500 was to be
commence life, the Nancy 10 be- paid
cent interest. [Applause.] 1t was to be
handed over iu installments and before the
was TO be made that the other fnsta}iments had
been actually expended in the improvement OF
his home. This guarded against imposition
The measure was detcated,' but he intended to
renew it. [Appausc.] It was the duty OF the
country to take care Of its unfortunate people,
hove1 himself md was honest, but, through
wnnt ~ cmnloyment. had BECOME desttutc;to
rive him aid md assistance: II it could be
Charitable to the starving abroad, why not to
those at home. 1Applause.l But money had
overrnled the Constitution, -,
. He then touched on the Eight-Hour law
nassed b. Conercgs in 1873, which very strange
~ had hepn a dead letter. Originally twelve
honrs work wos reouireu Of laboring man.
Martin Van Buren
..,Torn o77r 1o,7pu ro rrx
- a:.,4 DIT
lnen caue Lte ~" W s"t I"en ~ tGns, Ga,a"s nu'
"a r. ya;ca -" :. Wn,a;'l He snnnosed money had
snmethin, tn do with it. Tie law applied 10
Goyernment work il was thought would be an
entcrinr wedpe. 20 that the men in the States
wonl6 follow m their representative men and
drive them into acknowledging the Justice and
unr,pntncss of such q law That also was
IN he tried again. fApplauseI If things
went on rs now, the vorkng1nen would be like
the serfs of Russia. They should make the
laws AZ well as firht the battles All it required
to bring that about was their energy, persever-
ance. and determua ation, & Eight hours Of steady
work was os much rs n man OF ordinary consti-
tntion couid underco, They should say 1t is
our w1ll.o and tl1at will must be observed.
TAppIause.l II he did not mistake public SEN
timent. there was a disposition upon the part of .
fir ware-yyorIsers to favor 1t: there was enough
Of them to enforce the measure, aud it was