St. Paul daily globe., 1885-06-21
ST. PAUL TRADES AND LABOR.
Some Remarks on the Purpose of
the Assembly.

the Assembly.
To the editor, perhaps, more prominent
than any other labor organization in the
state of Minnesota is the ST. Paul Trades
and Labor assembly. This institution,
famous for its activity in public affairs, was
ushered into existence some three years
since, under many trying circumstances,
and has trod the corduroy bridge usually
trodden by all such societies when brought
q into existence where there are no such, and
nothing known of their character. Prom
inent among the first obstacles which it
met was the cry of political purposes by
those who ought always to be found in the
foreground in all such places and in those
things which the trades and labor assem-
blies are organized to promulgate. But
with all that, and the loss of trust as the
result of misdemeanorS on the part of some
who attained degree of prominence in it's
ranks it has steadily grown to proportions
to be seen and felt by all who come in con-
tact with it; and this demonstrates the
further fact that the men who make
UP such institutions are, in the main, the
ones who hold in their hand the controlling
power in public affairs. Some of the strength
of the assembly in question was
shown last fall. when some of
the congressional candidates were de-
feated, and others had their majorities re-
duced some 200 or more, and all as result
of concentrated effort OH the part of the
men that make up the rank and file of the
societies that send their representatives to
the Trades anG Labor assembly. Perhaps
the greatest reason for this is the fact that
they have most always selected their very
best men to represent them.
In the last municipal contest one thing
vas clearly shown, namely, that this as
sembIy can make itself felt, not only as re-
.lards the advancement of trades organiza-
Ion, but also in the matter of the peoples
Representatives, for not one, Save one, of
he men for whom it raised its banner was
defeated, and that one largely, if not wholly,
swing to negligence on his own part. More
particularly in two localities than in any
others are the footprints of this institution
visible in the last two political contests OF
the city. In the Fifth ward, where for the
Republican candidate for representative the
vote was cast to the extent of
$50 to 600 majority, through the
efforts mainly OF the organized
workingmen of the city, acting
through the Trades and Labor assembly,
was the vote again turned in the late munic-
hundred majority. Likewise is the same
in effect true in the Second ward Having
in the campaign of last fall turned the scale
against the Democrats in the Second dis
tTict on the question of representative they
again turned it to the favor of the Demo-
Gratis on the
QUESTION OF ALDERMAN
In the late municipal contest. Together
with this there were no less than 2, 900 votes
east for the chief executive of the city by
the organized workingmen, and it is now
safe to say that this marks the level of the
progress of the past and the advancement
of the future for this memorable institution.
And it is well, not only for those who have
an interest in it directly, but also indirectly,
to remember and profit by these facts, for
its past usefulness in public affairs is but
an evidence of what it will be in future
public affairs.
But there are some things by which the
members of societies can profit as well as
those who stand on the outside, and it may
be well to speak of some
of them while mentioning this BODY.
Some of us have learned to our satisfaction
that organization was necessary to the we'll
being of society; and we have heard it re-
marked by many that no class can
boast of as good an organized body repre-
senting them as can the tradesmen of the
country. Then, realizing this fact, what is
the reasonable conclusion? Simply this:
That to be successful with the facilities we
have, we must so use them as to
KEEP THE RUST OFF,
80 to speak. The tool that bears the bright
ness gives evidence of not only use but care:
and care is absolutely necessary to the we'll
being of anything. The rust in labor or
CARNATIONS of all classes is dissension, and
we can see it in all quarters more or less
prominent This rust must also be re-
moved to not allow those who fain would
garnish the walls and pillars of such organ
izations with it, to do SO. We must have
peace at home and exercise confidence in
one another in preference to outsiders, if
we would succeed, not only as regards pub
lie, but private affairs as well. 1t has always
been the case, and probably always will
be, that when men fail to use, through any