Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-06
UNITY is STRENGTH.
Meeting OF the Various Unions TO Take
Action Regarding General Union
OF WOrkingmen.
An Unnecessary Speech from General
Turner and an Uneslled-for Talk
from a Rat Printer.

An Unnecessary Speech from General
Turner and an Uncsiled-for Talk
from a s'Rat" Printer.
The meeting held last night to establish
a general union of workinsmen at No "a
Adams street last night WAS fairly attended,
and considerable interest manifested in the
subjects discussed
ORGANIZATION.
The meeting was called to order by Mr.
William Holman, chairman, who stated
the objects of the assembly to be the
introduction of members OF the different
trades organizations to one another, with
view to their better acquaintance, and the
possib formation of a closer organization
that would result in benefit to the whole
body.
Mr.. John Smoat, president OF the Painters
Union, introduced
COLONEL DOUGLASS,
lawyer, who addressed the meeting in
terms eulegistic of its purpose. He was
in favor OF combinations of labor, as
he was in favor of combinations of all
kinds. Nature created the first combine
ton in Adam and Eve. If it had not been
for that combination, instead of human
beings there would probably have been
population of monkeys and beasts. All
experience had proven the wisdom of such
organizations. The lawyers had their own
unions; real estate dealers had their
unions; the merchants had their unions
and probably their bucket-shops too, but if
there were any such present he would say no
more upon the subject. He believed in the
combination proposed. believing that all the
great results that had been accomplished in
the way of improvement, internal and other
wise, had been accomplished by a combina-
ton of forces, skilled or otherwise, and to
these combinations we must look for further
advancement. Wishing the movement god
speed, the gentleman concluded his remarks
with the favorable appreciation of his
hearers.
sPARTACKUs, THE HoRNY-HANDED.
When Colonel Douglass had finished there
were calls for General Spartackus de Turner,
who is sort of laborer- painter-carpenter-
brakeman in one. This horny b landed son
of toll came in fresh from his blacksmith
shop and proceeded to whoop up the boys
The first part of his speech was about as
communistic it could possibly be. He
wanted the profits divided up, pro rata, among
all the employees, thus virtually making moth
ing of the man who, by his genius, his enter
prise and his capital makes work for thou
sands and helps develop countries. He lost
sight of the fact that the object of every
body is to get rich, and the object of union
is protection and not the unlawful appro-
priation of other peoples money. The
meeting last night made a serious mistake
in calling upon General Turner. In the
first place he is not what is known as
laboring man. He is a member of no trade
union and probably never will be. He was
as much out OF place there as Jay Gould
would have been. According to frequent
statements in the ScimitdT, the paper is on
finely paying basis, and yet the general en-
pioys Gratis" His identifying himself with
the trades people is on a par with the rail-
splitter who should attempt to identify him.
self with the physicians without studying
medicine. The general is simply quack
1aboring man. III the course OF his speech
he said: 81 desire TO say in advance
of any remarks l may make, that
am neither an agrarian nor am
communistic in any sense of the
word. | listened with great satisfaction to
,, Colonel Douglass. The object you should
have in view is not to thwart the objects of
capital and power, but to bring you en- rap
port with capital and power. When our God
conceived the idea OF promulgating religion
on earth, He chose one who was fit to repre-
sent it. 1t has been my object TO study the
societies of labor. There is not a railroad
that is not run by combination. Jay
Gould is only component part of the sys-
tenn. The various officers are chosen. but
no railroad could be run without the united
effort of the machinist, the engineer, the
brakeman and Others This being so, the
laborer ought to get a proportionate share
of the profits of the rosd. The Memphis and
Louisville road, it is said, have made more
money the last month than during any
other month OF the year. The combined eff
forts OF all the employees effected this The
brakeman ought TO have his pittance,
the engineer who flashed the en-
gine's light over the track at mid
nights darkest hour, at great personal
risk, should receive good compensation.
l am responsible for what l say, and expect
to be held accountable for it for all time to
come, and | don't object TO discussion of
the question. The union that is not willing
TO come to the help OF the boss who is in
trouble, and that is not willing to take lower
wages, is not fit to live"
This fact was probably mentioned by the
general with his mental eye directed toward
the SkimitaT. Office, where the printers are
willing TO take lower wages.
General Turner concluded by saying that
he was not candidate for office, and hoped
to God he never would be. The public hopes
so to.
A SCHOOL BOARD ORATOR
Mr.. Thomas Boyle said this was pleasure
laws existed for the protection of the work
iDgmen as we'll as of Mr.. Jay Gould. The
union was wise step. He hoped the union
would be one OF interest and of heart. He
wanted labor and capital to go hand in
hand. There was no communism in labor
He called the attention of those present 10
the coming election, and hoped they would
make wise selections. Most of the wealthiest
men In the country were once laboring men.
I.Qh or "a arfh md
and paved the way to the stars!
working MAN" SAT-, DOWN ON.
The captivating form of Mr.. j. B. Bing-
ham, the "Coquelicot" that haunts the usual
mass meeting, was seen in the door and one
or two persons present called on him for his
want of views on the subject. This was even
a more serious mistake than permitting the
attorney general TO speak. The nineteenth
century counterfeit of the immortal "Mr.
Pickwick" said that he had cold and
couldn't speak. The majority of those pres
ent began to think themselves in luck, brit
they were doomed to disappointment. He
did speak. He mentioned the novel subject
of labor and capital. He spoke of raj roads,
corporations, Nightmares, Z Puribts UaHm,
Sic Semper 1yrdnnis, and the ring tail monkey,
the Legislature, freedom; and wove in
greal deal of the unborn speech prepared at
the Greenlaw Operahouse. Then he sat down.
rose and proceeded 10 veutilate Mr.. Bing-
ham. He said he thought the meeting was
called for the purpose of uniting the Unions
and not listening to such speakers as Bing-
ham, who had no earthly sympathy with
the movement. He had come TO Memphis
"rat," and had been working all his life to
"rat" the various Offices. During this vigor-
GUS speech Mr.. Bingham found it advisable
TO retire. He accordingly drew his Spanish
cloak about his form and marched speedily
out of the crowd, and silently disappeared
in the blackness of the night.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Short speeches were made by Mr.. III. X.
Waite, who talked sensibly on the subject Of
trades assemblies and the work of the Paint
ers Union; by K. I'll. Mooney, who spoke in
relation to the trade assembly at st. Louis
and the influence of the workingmen; by
Mr.. Phillips, of the Carpenters Union, who
spoke we'll on amalgamstiou.
Ga motion, the Painters Union requested
the different unions of this city to combine
and form general trade assembly and APP
point committee from each union.
The meeting adjourned.
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Ladies' Orphan Festival.
Spring chicken and strzxb rries and cream |
to-day al 247 Main street.