The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-19
THE NEW ~! TERn.
Ths Trades Assembly Begins Ns
seoond Ysar New Dslseatsa
and ofBcars.

The Trades Assembly met last Sunday
afternoon ia knights Of Labor hall, with
| all the officers in their places. After
the reading and adoption Of the minutes
fof the previous meeting. credentials were
presented and accepted.
The delegations for the ensuing term
are as follows:
Stonecutters Thos Wilkes, William
Forrest. John Simpson.
Tailors C. Winter, E. Blume, J. Burk-
hart, E. Jauch, W. J. Parrett.
Typographical Chas. 1 Merritt, Ru-
dolph Hartmann, Walter S. Johnston,
Harry Med Donough, John s. Daveler,
John K. Seagraves.
MoldersJ. ]. Smith, L. w. Smith,
M. ]. O'Connell, Chick Jacobs.
i. a. 1424 M. Ford, ]. 81. Brooks, T.
O'Shea, ]. D. Bailey, G. Machette, P. III.
Balfe.
| L. A. 2327-J. R. Buchanan, S. II.
LayertY, Vim NJ. Nudd.
After the seating of the new delegates
the president arose and delivered the
following short address, which was re-
Iceived with applause
To Officers and Members Trades Assembly of
Denver and Vicinity:
DENVER, January I3.
Gentlemen-At the beginning of the sec
ond year in the existence of the organization
which you at present compose, / feel ita duty
incumbent upon one who has been nonored
as your executive officer to address few
words TO you, which embrace a condensed
review of the short history Of this organiza-
tion, and contain recommendations and
thoughts the fruits of the years experience
and study for future consideration, and, if
deemed wise and timely, subsequent guild
ance.
THE PAST.
The mintereSted or lukewarm would find
little in glancing over the brief past of the
Trades Assembly to contemplate and study.
~ DCCA q NOly OAuhdly
career, unmarked by great epochs or impor-
tant steps, But to those who have been at
tentive workers in this little quiet hive, those
who have given their time and attention to
the consideration of the welfare of the
charges entrusted to them, there has been
much that partook of importance and serious
ness brought before this body, carefully and
unostentatiously considered and conscien-
| tiously disposed of. 1t is true the assembly
has not been prominently or actively engaged
in local trade affairs, as have been some SINH
lar organizations in other cities; but in this
/ found cause for congratulation rather than
condemnation. There has been no trouble
or agitation in the societies of the city whose
representatives compose this assembly. Our
committees, which are the working force OF
the assembly have had comparatively little to
do: and, with the, exception of one, their
duties are not such that they could or should
create work for themselves. The exception
| TO which refer is the organizing committee.
am free to state that it is my opinion this
committee has been a little careless, or indo-
lent. OF course, those who have not tried,
do not know how difficult it is to combine
and cement the disorganized or unorganized
elements Of a trade or calling; but it has
been frequently remarked by members Of
the societies we represent, as a singular fact
that, in city where so many Of the promi-
nent trades are not organized, no additions
have been made through the labors of the
Trades Assembly. And, with the greatest
respect and most kindly feeling for those
who have been members of this committee,
I must say I have been little disappointed
at their failure to accomplish something in
that line during the past year. III
However, as I said before, more than is
now apparent, has been accomplished by this
organization. Through patience and appli-
cation to routine and sometimes tedious du-
ties, the foundation has been laid, upon
which those who follow us may be able to
erect structure of power, durability and
beauty. sl.4
The one thing worthy of special mention
at this time, as being the work of the assem-.
bly,, is the formation of the Building and In
vestment Association, an enterprise which
is capable of great benefit to the industrious
and frugal workingman. This association
had its incipiency in a committee of this as
sembly. The association is now, as was the
original intention and the wish of this organi-
zation, independent of and separate from it,
With this brief and necessarily general
reference to the past OF. the Trades Assembly,
Inow desire to, call your attention for few
moments to the possibilities and hopes of
:, a.. ...e..sF: THE FUTURE. .
1 contemplate with satisfaction and in
creased confidence the personnel of the dele
cations chosen to represent their various
societies during the first term of 1884 in this
amalgamation. / am pleased to find that
number Of those who have been particularly
faithful and earnest in the discharge of their
duties in the past have been complimented
and rewards by reelection, and feel assured
that under their comparatively experienced
guidance the assembly will progress and
effect much that is beneficial and substantial
during the ensuing term.
Gentlemen, brothers, there is wide field
before you. The seed to some extent have
been sown; to you is allotted the task of
irrigating and wedding, and the honor Of
reaping and housing. The situation Of the
producer is imminent; aye, may say, peri
lous. He who reads the future sees not far
beyond days Of trial and uncertainty for the
'.hewers Of wood and the drawers of water"
1t is even predicted that the eliminating
epoch in the history of the industrial classes
will be set down in future chronicles under
dates of years between 1888 and 1889. Who