National Republican., 1879-07-18
W0RKINGMEN'S WORDS.
Enthusiastic Labor Meeting at the
City Hall.
The Eight Hour Law Traced Back to Divine
origin-speechos by Several Orators
Mcdonald Goes for the Ohloials,
from the President Down.
Structures on Commits
sioner Josiah Dent.
The Eight-Hour Mass-doetipg.

Tho eight-hour mass-meeting under the aus
pices of the Workingmen's Assembly, at the
City Hall, last evening, was success In every
particular, the attendance being estimated at
about 1000. Prior TO the meeting the dele.
gates to the Assembly and workingmen of all
grades formed a procession and traverscd the
route given in yesterdays REPUBLICAN.
Upon arriving at tho western portico of the
City Hall, where the meeting was held, the
procession was greeted with magnificent py-
rotechnic display, and Donch's band played
appropriate music. The portico was hand
somely decorated with the National colors,
bunting, and large banner of the Inter.
national Labor Union. A large transparency,
upon which was inscribed this motto, Tho
Emancipation of the Workingmen Must DO
Achieved by the Worklngmen Themselves"
occupied conspicuous position, and q calcium
light added to tho brilliancy of tho scene.
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
| John z. Hamilton. president of the Assembly,
who said that the object of the meeting was to
| continue the agitation OF shorter hours and
higher wages, for by that means only could
Capitalization of strength bc accomplished.
| Mr.. L. g. Campbell, ex-State Senator from
Alabama, was then introduced, and In q
speech of an hours duration showed how labor
could be benefited. He also claimed that eight
hours was right of the workingman, rs Con-
gress had passed u law to that effect, and all
that WAS necessary was its proper enforcement
| by those in authority. At the conclusion of
| his remarks the following preamble and
| RESOLUTIONS
were read and adopted:
| Whereas II Is our opinion that when God Great ed
man II was His design that the twenty four hours
of the day should beequally divided-that Is eight
hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight
hours for rest; and
carry out the dictates of an all.wise Providence
| Therefore
Resoired, That we the workingmen :of Washing
| ton declare that eight hours should constitute q
Resolved That we pledge ourselves to use every
effort In our power to have the eghthour system
| adopted In all trades and calings.
| Rcsolred That we will use all honorable means
| " have this subject brought before Congress, In
order that proper laws may be enacted looking to
RESOLVED, That we ask the cooperation of all
workinsmen and others interested, In order that
this great aud good work may be accomplished at
| AS early a day as possible.
Resolved, That a majority OF an American Con-
| gross refusing to enforce law conStitutonally
| passed Ia an anomaly in American legislation.
Resolved, That this unenviable distinction has
been earned by majority of the Forty sixth Con-
gress in refusing to vote for the enforcement of the
Resoitch, That a correct and adequate knowledge
of ths principles Of government ~ understood and
proclaimed by Thomas Jefferson and Abraham
Lincoln can alone hereafter secure tho vote of in
tcllgent, patriotic workingmen.
Mr.. William Boron, the next speaker in
Weighed against the introduction Of labor saw
ing machinery as it tended TO increase tho
hours aud lower the wages of labor.
AFTER THE OFFICIALS.
a Mr.. B. G. Mcdonald made the last and by
, all odds the best speech Of the evening. He
paid his respects to the heads of the United
! States and local governments, his remarks
5 being received with manifest approval. Aftel
showing the good results of organizing he pro
ceedcd to dilate upon the work of the Assem-
, bly, and its members. He detailed tho ac
count Of their visits to President Hayes an,
. the Cabinet relative to the enforcement of tn
a eight-hour law. He said Mr.. Hayes, al
though he voted for the passage of tn
t law had failed to help carry out IL
b provisions. Secretary Thompson, when ap
preached upon the subject, SAID he had mel
q working on his farm for fifty cents o day o
I twelve hours, and thought them well paid
The Attorncy.Gcneral, although repeatedly
\ urged to give his ideas on the law, had evade,
. q direct answer, and must be counted amon
q the enemies of labor. Tho Democratic Con
gress had proven by their acts that they d
!. not want to give anything to the workinsmer
}. Bondholders Of either party We're not thei
L friends; and as for the Groenbackers-the
i. were of no account. Ithad beon demonstrate
q that the sole aim of the latter was plunder, n
q matter who sent them here. The speaker the
|. gave an account of his
/. VISIT To COMMISSIONER DENT
If for the purpose of securing the City Hall 70
e the mass meeting He was informed that th
n Commissioners had decided to grant no NOR
permits for street meetings, rs they were op
posed to them. He could, however try hi
:. luck with the Federal authorities. Upon ap
!. plying to Marshal Douglas he WAS given th
s. use of the City Hall at once. The three domino
men, otherwise called Commissioners. were in
imical to tho interests of the citizens as wa
shown by their work in tho matter of waite
> tax. They had been given a Dent in ga,
5 meter scheme, and would probably suggest
water meter as they appeared anxious to dol
c. out water by the pint.
. The address was frequently interrupted b
:, prolonged applause and mt the close there wer
4 loud cries of Mcdonald foreverl" &c. Iii
d speech wound up the meeting, which disporse
in good humor Ikey Cohen and Il body-guar
Of three stalwart tramps were discovered, atte
the meeting, standing in tho middle of tn
street, discussing the meeting, evidently not
all pleased with the admirable manner
which ii was conducted.