The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-02-02

on loot Tor some time DICK looking tonne
conjunction OF the two branches Of work. |
ingmen's societies In the city known as
the National Workingmen and the Labor
Reiormers. There were several very
potent and cogent reasons for this con-
summation:
First-The community ofinterests.
Second-Theo objects forw which they were
striving were not attainable under separate
organizations, as they were nearly identi-
cal in this direction, and working separ-
ately, neither could accomplish anything,
and,
Thirdly-The consolidation Of the two
societies would give them responsibility
80 far as numbers, strength and influence
were concerned that they would not other.
wise enjoy.
With these obvious facts in view the ex.
ecative committees OF the two societies met
at Hope Hall Saturday night, and after q
canvass OF the situation determined to
onion and TO be known hereafter as the
United Workingmen's party.
The following officers were then elected
by the representatives:
President, S. A. Kepner; First Vice
President, L. W. Stephens; Corresponding
Secretary, @. P. Hamilton; Recording
Secretary, @. NJ. Rathburn; Treasurer. ].
II. McFall.
After the election the following resolu.
tons and platform were adopted unani-
mously, as exemplifying their peculiar
ideas upon their objective points:
WHEREAS, We, the workingmen OF the
city OF Wheeling, county Of Ohio, Com
monwealth OF West Virginia, have
nothing to hope for, or expect, in justice
to our demands, from the present class Of
Legislators; and
WHEREAS, We, the bone and sinew Of
our commonwealth, have prayed and pc
titioned In vain, for redress and relief from
laws detrimental TO our interests, and de-
trimental to the interest Of society; and
WHEREAS, We have repeatedly warned
these legislators that unless our petitions
and prayers were heard and our grievances
and wrongs were redressed, we would
choose from our own ranks men and leg
islators whose pledges would be to our in
terest alone; and
WHEREAS, Those same legislators, in
view and face oil our solemn warnings,
have failed to keep their promises, scorned
and insulted our petitions, braved and
dared our warnings, betrayed our in
terests, and thus forfeited our snpportan
confidence; and
WHEREAS, We have been deceived, be-
trayed and humbled beyond all endurance.
Therefore we, the workingmen OF the city
of Wheeling, county OF Ohio, State Of
West Virginia, have
Resolved, That we pledge our undivided
support to good and true men who will be
pleged to maintain, defend, further ZEAL
ously and never consider secondary the
principles contained in the following:
PLATFORM:
Following is the platform OF principles:
| l. The abolition Of the present system
OF convict labor in our penitentiaries.
9. The establishment OF q bureau Of la
Dor statistics.
8. The abolition Of the present system
OF feeling public officers; paying in lieu
thereof a reasonable salary.
4. The enactment OF efficient sanitary
regulations for factories and workshops.
5. The periodical inspection Of mines.
6. The enactment OF law making the
wages OF all laborers and mechanics q
first lien.
Z. A law providing for the payment Of
| lHUOItIb LlEthhhN9 WhHSo.
s. The semi.annual inspection Of sta
tionary steam boilers.
0. A law requiring persons having
charge Of such steam boilers to be COM
petent by reason Of age and experience.
10. A new law in regard to the attach
ment OF wages for debt.
II. The official branding OF all mining
cars, and the testing Of scales, weights and
measures.
12. The abolition OF the contract system
on all public works.
10. That no public official be allowed TO
be party personally to any public con.
tract.
Il. The enactment OF efficient building
laws in our towns and cities.
10. A law to prevent any person, against
whom no crime has been proved, being
imprisoned as vagrant.
After the adoption OF the above the
meeting adjourned TO meet In the same
hall on the evening Of the 18th at 1880
o'clock.