National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-01
VIEWS OF THE CARPENTERS.
They Assert That They Are sovercig,

They Assert That They Are sovereigns
and Make Senators and Congressnicn.
The organized carpenters of Washington
held mas meeting last night Knights of
Pythias hail. corner Thirteenth and-a-half
and E streets. The meeting was under the
direct auspices of the Carpenters union.
Mr.. George Edmonston called the assemblage
to order and stated the objects Of the meeting.
Mr.. ]. Bllingsby, Il sturdy-looking me-
chanic, was the first speaker. He said WASH
ington is now on the eve of busy building
season, Which fact alono hould be an induce
ment for all trades TO organize. He claimed
that there were dishonest bosses in this city,
who would talSo every advantage but for the
trade organizations Congress-" he said,
"has been very derelict in not taking moro
active part in behalf Of tho great masses of
working people We will not succeed by
being democrats or republicans, but by being
truo workingmen"
MIR. John G. Rose followed In q stirring
speech. intersrorsed with illustrations of
political economy. Iio said the laboring
classes must work unitedly and not as dis
connected atoms. II Is by organization that
society is perpetuatcd The blending of
thought and action has ever been the lever
of success in all movements. a loading
Characteristic of man is TO grasp power, and
cling to it until death makes him relinguish
his hold. The working people are not aliens,
as some men allege. They are citizens
in the fullest sense OF the term. They
have simply delegated their power to
congressman and other public officials, and in
so doing have created them. In view of that
fact, If they ignore their creators, tho remedy
is simple-cut their heads off. Politicians
and lawyers have been telling MS for nifty
years that wo are the bone and sinew of this
country, We know that. They want us to
follow them blindly in the wake OF o sea Of
eloquent language and seductive argument.
There is one great truth that can be spoken
of the workman. He does not invent dis
honest schemes to defraud humanity. Law
yors and politicians plot day and night to
rob us of our small earnings. They
also strive to keep us disorganized II
is q disgrace TO the intelligent mechanics of
the United States to read in the newspapers
that few politicians control the great states
of New York, Ohio and others Of almost equal
magnitude. This fact argues that the work
ing classes should go into politics. 1t is their
body, head and tail. We are still allowed free
speech. The time has not yet arrived when
those in power can say "lf you express your
selves too freely we will crowd your words
back into you with gunpowder."
Mr.. Jacob Hesler invited those who op.
pose trade organizations to visit the carpen-
ters' meetings aud argue from their side
They would find mechanics who could an
swer them. "If some one don't come in soon,"
said the speaker, ~ will be tempted to find
somebody in the opposition, and hire HIM TO
come here and debate with us. / would
rather have a lawyer come than any one else"
Referring to the working people of Europe,
he said. Poorly paid labor creates nibilism
in Russia, socialism in Germany, and COM
munism in France. The pauper wages paid
in some European countries cause foreign
workingmen to flock to our shores. Paupers
should not be allowed to come to this country
and the pending bill before congress on that
subject should be urged to its passage"
Other speeches were made by Messrs.
Joseph w. Reed, William Martin, and George
Edmonston.