The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-10-15
Letter from Massachusetts,

ORGANIZED LABOR. OUR LICENSE LAW. THE
SALVATION ARMY. REPUBLICAN, PLATFORMS.
Correspondence of the Journal
BRoCKToN, MASS, Oct. s. 1885. In for
mer letter to the Journal | briefly mentioned
the two most prominent labor organizations
which have footing here, but it is due to their
Importance In State affairs to describe them
more fully. 1t is true that in Maine several
labor unions have strong foothold, but they do
not exert the marked influence in public affairs
that they do here nor can they unless Maine be-
comes like Massachusetts, emphatcally a man
utacturng State. Take for instance the or
ganizations of the
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Embracing as they do every sort and kind of
workmen and workwomen in their ranks.
Their influence is felt all through our State.
Not only in the shoe shops of Lynn, Brockton
and Haverhill, but in the cotton mills of Fall
River, Lowell and Lawrence in the silk fac
tories of Canton, the watch works Of Waltham,
and the many varied manufactures of Worces-
ter. Their aims are broad enough to cover
anything from rabid communist to a work
man who simply wants steady work and fair
pay assured him, and daily they make hum
dreds of accessions to their ranks. 1t is an
assured fact that labor associations can only be
successful among well paid workmen. and con-
sequently in communities like FAN River where
the average pay is but Il bare living successful
organization is impossible, even to secure
moderate and reasonable demands, but among
the well paid labor trs of our shoe towns a
union is an almost all-powerful institution. 1t
is therefore that the
LASTERS PROTECTIVE UNION.
The Edge Settlers Union, The Mckay Sewers
Union. and like organizations have made
themselves important industrial factors. In
Lynn, Brockton, IaverhIl. Stoneham. Hud-
son, Abingdon and Middeboro these unions
practically control manufacturing, and in many
instances of late manufacturers have been
working against them, SO that before many
months clash of the opposing interests seems
imminent.
! will give you two incidents of the power of
the unions in Brockton. Last August a work
man at Il. H. keiths shoe shop was discharged
by foreman. He was Il member of several
organizations, and the next day Saturday Mr..
offered him three propositions |. To take
the man back. =. TO give reasons for dis
charging him, or 3, to close his shop Monday
AT O'Clock Monday, Mr.. Keith met the com
mittee at his Office. He refused to take the
man back The committee then asked if he
would state that the man was not discharged
on account of connection with labor organiza-
10 said M No ,,itt,
then refused TO take his word or even oath to
that effect and told him to write an affirmation
to that effect signed in their presence or they
would shut down his shop. After remonstranae
Mr.. Keith was obliged to do as directed and the
matter was settled.
Later an incident occurred which shows on
the other hand the well directed action of a
union. Packard & Growers employed as fore
man in their stitching room man who stated
in public that there was not woman of the
fifty in his room whom he had not or could not
insult with impunity. He also used abusive
and insulting language III the shop aud dis
charged one woman for demonstrating The
knights of Labor interfered in the matter, laid
the facts before the manufacturers, ordered a
strike and demanded the removal of the otfen-
sve foreman. After lying idle day or two
their demands were complied with. Sometimes
the power is well applied; sometimes lily, but
that it remains in the hands Of the laborer In
many Massachusetts towns is true.
Quite a movement has been inauguraed
among temperance folks looking toward the
abolition of the present
LIQUOR LICENSE LAW
and the substitution of prohibtory laws in
their place. If such movement is successful
it will be due mainly to the eXerions of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, which
has already done great work throughout Mas
sachusetts. One of the most practical move
ments of a temperance nature which | have
ever observed was the placing (by the w. c..
4. w. of large water tanks at short intervals
on the business streets of Brockton which were
filled with ice water through the hot weather.
In all probability the modest water tanks kept
more thirsty workmen from beer drinking than
a number of eloquent lectures. By the way,
that favorite argument of the rum party in
Maine that license law does away with the
low, secret rum holes of prohibition State is
all knocked to smithereens in this license State.
The same holes exist here and flourish in a
luxury of vice unknown in Maine, selling
| cheap liquor and competing successfully with
the high license parors which exist under our
laws. The more one examines in other States
the workings of various liquor laws the more
one realizes that the only way to deal with rum
| is Neal Dow's good old way of stamping it
out"
Brockton's last sensation is branch of the
SALVATION ARMY
which has located here. Meetings are held
! each night at the barracks, where addresses are
made (as per bllls) by ''Captain Thompson, the
| converted sport. His Wife, The Hallejujah
Talking Machine, War cry BERTHE and Blood
| Washed David Sanborb." Admission ten cents.
Since their advent here Smiling Cora, ,"''Happy
Jennie' and several others have joined the
| speakers, and several street parades have been
| held. The movement Is generally discounte-
nanced by respectable people, but crowds
nightly witness the performances.
Wasn't that
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
a "rouser" that Massachusetts originated the
other day? "The old ticket and bigger ma
jority" is the Republican watchword in the
Bay State this year.
| BrOckton cattle show next week. BETA