Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-11
The woykingmen's Association.



The Workingmen's Assembly met last night,
Mr.. E. B. Robinson In the chair, and John T.
Christian secretary. There was an unusually
large attendance Of members communica-
ton was read from the Journeymen Soft stone
cutters association OF this city, informing the
assembly OF the fact that they (the stone Cut
tekl had organized a union. and will at their
sembiy
Mr. P. Hamilton, from the committee on
organization, made an adverse report on the
credentials OF Isaac Cohen, sent In at the last
meeting from the Brotherhood OF LABOR, 10
represent that organization. The report sets
forth that after Cohens fruitiess attempt year
ago TO become member he went upon Tue
streets and copyrighted together a rev OF tLle
lowest class OF cOlOred people ana maze speech-
es and excited them TO riot. and blackguarded
the assembly and everybody connected with IL,
and finally made himself so obnoxious 10 the
public that he had TO be suppressed, ana was
arrested and placed in jail; that he Is not
worhingmaD, and is only seeking TO make his
living OIL the poor, ignorant cOiored people and
those of the whites who allow themselves To DE
gulIed by him; that we want only men III this
body who can command the respect OF the citi-
Zens of the District; we want men who are Will
ing to earn their living honestly and cOnScien-
tiously. The mere fact OF his coming here as a
delegate was only a canningly devised plan to
create dtscord In the assembly by the enemies
that have long been at work to destroy It's Use
fulnesS, because they were unable TO Use il in
their own interest. That the credentials of
Isaac Cohen, from the Brotherhood OF Labor be
they desire TO be represented they must send
some one who is acceptable TO the assembly and
can command the respect OF society"
motion was made for the adoption OF the
report, and the yeas and nays were called for.
Mr.. Bell got the floor, and said that to hun it
locked very unnecessary for the committee to
go so much into the details OF COhen'S history
LII this city and his former acts. IL he Should
prove obnoxious as a member, they have The
remedy iii their own hands, either to eXpei him
or ask the organization which sent him here to
representative Mr.
Christian said that COhen's acts when he was
leader OF a street-corner gang were enough TO
settle MS mlnd-he did not wish to associate
with him. Mr.. Barker said, in reply to Mr. Bel
ABOUT eXpelling him. that the assembly had de-
clded that ii could not eXpel a delegate re ru-
iafly sent, and it would not be so easy thing
TO DO In Cohen'S case. He sprung up here a felg
years ago like mushroom, selling patent med
ic1neS with qnack doctor; after while he
gees INTO The labor movement for what he could
make out or IL. In his street corner haranrue,
IL had been his custom to denOunce and ridinuIe
the assembly in the fOu;eSt language he could
employ. DIR. Thomas said he did not care
Mhetner Cohen or some other man was chosen
10 represent this organization, but members
SnOulu Oe careful what dlSc0rdant elements they
get into the assembly. Ii Cohen is not the ri,rHt
man, then vote nm down. When he remem-
pefeu now Cohen Used TO stand out under the
Dlue vault OF heaven sowing the seeds OF discorI
among the Worktngmen, be thought him n very
uhht subject TO represent honest workingmen
MI. Schr1ner said he had favored Cohen but
seeing so much opposition he thought him unit
Ior tie place. The chair said the object of the
NCrklhgmenS Assembly is 10 build no the
Stt t0afd Of LABOR and they should be careful
v 10 they take to their embrace Mr. Srnrnp,.
sald the way the papers had used Cohen was
Scandalous. Mr.. Bell offered an amendment to
NJ. HamiltOnS resolutions lcttinr Mr. 1,olan
DOW III milder words Mr.. Hamilton said IN.
DID not object: the effect was the same without
AlNfng any reasons for their action DR. Thomas
SAID the committee on Organization had a +. ,hJ
10 take into consideration tie reasons W bich led
them 10 the conclusions. Mr. Bell moved TO
SIilKe out ali the preamble and adopt the rpSo-
Ittloh. IL Was adopted with two OF three dis
sci ing votes and the credentials OF Cohen were
Labor. "
Mr.. Mcdonald, from the committee on library
ard reading room, reported progress and said
both would be open by the FIRST OF ApriI lie
sald Mr. Alexander Shepherd had made them Il
COL alton or one hundred dollars worth OF books
for their library.
Letters were read from the Miners Unton
Nant1coke, Pa, the WOrkingmen's Union, In,
dlanapolis, and the Moulders Union OF New Al
oahy; mo, acknowledging the receipt OF the
circular OF the assembly in relation TO a labor
congress IN April next in this city.
Inc regular business In order was the discus
sion OF Tie resolution offered by Dr. Thomas at
FORMER meeting, favoring District delegate
In congress. Dr.. Thomas made a SET speech in
favor. followed by Mr.. Barker in its favor and
Mr.. Boron in opposition. Mr.. Boron opposed
Suffrage. taxing the ground taat Congress has
the exclusive right over the District when If
stIll retains. "What is TO be gained by \ dele
gate They had enough of It with Their for
mer experience. Axes are to be ground arain
lie time never was when Congress was SO aC
ceSSlDie 10 the citizens OF this District who can
go before the District committees, or any mem
Der OF either house as for that matter. AMI rr-
cite their grievances and wants. and viii re-
ceive KIND attention. What better can We have
I an this? Should we not be satisfied ATter
1uItler debate DR.. Thomas resolution was
adopted. 40
Arequest from Cohen that he be allowed ten
mlLutes to v1ndicate himself was denied on
account OF the lateneSS OF the hour and tirreen
minutes were voted him for the next meeting
MI. Craney moved the appointment al a coli
and request them to paw 81 - nor
day to the laborers employed upon the old canal
Adopted; and the chair appointed MesSis. Ora
Eey, Schreiner and Mccarthy.