Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-02-05
A LABOR LEADER.

a CAL reporter took notion to corn
er him and have talk. No obiec
ton being encountered from the gen
tleman the reporter eaid he would
like to have a glimpse at his personal
history and at the history OF the pres
emit labor movement In answer the
following was obtained
THE GREAT AGITAToR.
Richard F. 1revellick was horn
aboardahip. His father was a seaiar-
ing mana shipmaster under the
government of the United States. At
the age Of Is Richard was appreuticed
to South Brooklyn shiPbuilder and
served five years. In 1851 he again
boarded vessel and at the breaking
out of the war he was commanding
a United States mail steamer in the
Gulf of Mexico. The boat was seized
by the State of Louisiana ana Mr..
Trevellick came north and was placed
in command of despatch Loaf where
he remained until wounded AS
soon as be was sufficiently recovered
he returned to work at his trade and
was appointed TO the management OF
a shipyard in South Brooklyn. He
remained there but year, however,
and the next place we find him is at
Detroit working away at his trade.
About seven months after his arrival
IN Detroit he was chosen president of
the Shipwrights and Caulkors'' Union
of North America, a mutually bene-
fetal organization. With his accept.
ance of the new position Mr.. Trevel'
lick found it necessary to devote
about two-thirds of his time to its
duties. The remainder of his time he
still continued to devote to his trade.
About this time great activity began
to be manifested among the various la
Dor organizations and a determination
manifested itself to solidify the work
ingmen. The agitation took shape
an resulted in the meeting at Louis
vile, Kentucky, in 1866, of the pres
idents of the various trades unions Of
the United States. Then was really
the foundation and :.
FIRST MEETING
of the present Greenback Labor par
ty. At this meeting the leading
question discussed was whether or
not some means could be found to do
away with strikes. After few days
discussion in which but moderate
Roadway was made, the DO !y adjourn
ed to meet the following summer in
Baltimore. An address was issued to
the trades unions of the United States
requesting them to send delegates to
the Baltimore Convention, which they
accordingly did with great unanimityr
and the Convention was attended by
seventy,s six delegates, representing all
the important trades in America.
After discussion of several days a
permanent organization was formed
and entitled the National Labor
Union. Colonel ]. G. G. Wkaley, de.
ceased, late editor Of the Clinton
Demccr.t, was elected President. Be-
fore adjournment the following .eso-
luton was adopted:
Re o,ced, That the time has come when
the producing classes must cut themselves
aloof from all party tics and previous pre-
objections am organize new and indie
pendent industrial party
The convention then adjourned to
meet one year later at Chicago. The
Baltimore Convention prior to ad-
journment appointed committee of
nineteen of its member to prepare II
platform of principles to be submitted
to the Chicago meeting. Mr.. Trevel
lick was member of this committee
and he and Andrew Cameron, editor
Of the WorkiaGmea7's Adrocrts, crys-
talliz>d the opinions Of the memherl
Ct the convention and formulated
A SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS
which set forth 81 that all public
lands should be held for thu actual
settler-not one acre more for the
speculator or corporation; (2) that al
pay to wo' kingmen should be made
in the curren, funds Ct the country
and not in store ord rs; (3) that all
money issued, neither metallic or pa
per, sh .uld be issued BY tho Federal
Government and he full legal ten
der for all debts this is the fGnda-
mental principle Of the present Green
back-Lahor rarty.-ED / (4) the abo-
lition Of the Na,ioaal banks and all
| banks Of issue. (5) the i yme.t Of