St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-06-28
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
Market Hall Filled to Listen to r. r.
Trevellick's Lecture,
Who Speaks as a Knight of Labor to
the Work1ngman.

Knights of Labor. The speech was re.
markable not only for the strength with
which the grievances OF the producing classes
OF the country against the encroachments
of capital and the oppression of unjust
legislature were presented, but for the
impressive eloquence of the speaker, who
elOqunced with scathing words, the works
of the oppressed, rdiculed with caustic
sarcasm the So-called craftsmanship of the
day, and pointed, with a mastery hand,
the trials and sufferings of the
poor and down-trodden. For over
two hours the audience listened
with rapt attention. and alternately ap-
plauded and shrieked with laughter. 1t is
safe to say that a more enthusiastic meet
ing was never held i'll the city.
Previous to the calling of the meeting
7. w. Brosnan read petition he stated
is being circulated throughout the country
by order Of the general master workman OF
the Knights Of Labor. which calls upon
congress for prompt action
upon certain especial measures Of
Importance to the working classes.
1t respectfully demanded the repeal of the
timber culture, presumption and desert
land acts and the reservation of the public
domain to homestead settlement only; the
forfeiture of railroad lands, the conditions
of which have not been complied with; the
opening of the territory of Oklahama and
the Sioux reservation in Dakota; the pro-
hlbition of aliens from acquiring title to
lands; the punishment of bribe-takers and
givers and the paying out of $500, 900, 900
of the surplus in the treasury
in liquidation Of interest-bearing
public debt; provision to be made
at the same for the replacing Of bank notes
with legal tender treasury notes in case
said debt payment be followed by con-
traction of circulating bank notes.
This petition was circulated throughout
the audiences and was almost universally
signed, probably 1000 names being added.
Shortly after O'clock leading members of
the order and other citizens appeared
upon the states, among whom ware M. w.
Morgan, G. S. Boyd Charles Davis, Capt.
John Wright. John W. Wall. Judge
Welch, Aid. Mills, Dr.. NJ. P. Finnegan, a.
II. Mitchell, c. P. Shea, John McGrork, G.
w. Curtiss, w. HI. Grimshaw, James
Waters, Prof. M. A. Morey, Edward Paige,
Thomas A. Clark. Mrs. Christie, Mrs.
NJ. Messer and Miss Emma Murphy Of the
Ladies' Aid society of the Knights of Labor
also took seats upon the stage, their appear
ance being greeted with applause.
District Master Workman J. Y. Nc
Gaughey introduced MI. Trevelleck, who
was greeted with
ENTHUSIASTIC APPLAUSE
as he stepped forward. and returned his
thanks for the cordial reception rendered
him. He requested that his listeners
should sit quietly and not indulge in any
demonstrations of approval out OF respect
to the Sabbath day. During the ensuing
hour and half, however, his audience
many times forgot itself, and INDUCED in
applause that was both hearty and sponta-
neous. His original way of stating
certain propositions in language quaint
and the great audience was at times con-
vulsed with laughter at some illustrations
which served to impress the desired point
with double emphasis. His remarks, di-
verified of the figures of speech with which
he clothed his words, were briefly as fol-
lows:
In the phenomena Of nature there are
many signs to be seen. While we observe
and know the effects we cannot always see
the causes. While we do not always know
the causes still all is well if we understand
that it is we'll We do not know why the
flies and mosquitoes bite sharply just before
a storm, why hog that has no more sense
than some politicians. knows of the
approach of the storm. Now we can ask
similar questions in the phenomena of hui
man government as to the cause of the per-
turbed condition of labor. How shall we
deal with this condition? One way would
be to call out the soldiery, and compel by
force men to submit to the condition OF
which they complain. Can this be done?
If so, how is it that the countries in which
there is the greatest number of soldiers
there Is the least protection to life and prop
erty? His advice would be not
to depend on guns or soldiers, but to teach
the children and every immigrant that there
is probability and a possibility of each
man owning his own home. Every man
will then be soldier to defend his own
home, and by mutual instincts men will
protect each others rights.
Coming down to the government Of the
United States Mr.. Trevellick said that the
devil had as much right to give away the
world from the top of the high mountain
as congress has to sell out our lands to spec
ulators. Neither Ireland nor any Other
country has been as much misgoverned
as the United States. In no country
on earth has there been as much stealing
from the rights of the people in five cen
turies as there has been in one century in
the United Stotes. Why is it that we are
more prosperous? Because God gave us
such a boundless domain that congress
hasn't been able to steal it all yet. In this
great country of vast resources there are
one and half millions of idle people, and
it will be an impossibility to remain ten
years ledger in this condition without a
terrible revolution. These idle people cost
the country $4,000, 600 day to
support. What becomes of the idle. The
men become criminals and the women
are destroyed body and soul. Give these
people employment and you increase con-
sumption. We suffer not from over pro-
duction, but from under consumption. Do
you suppose we have an over production of
| home comforts among the people? No,
but we have an over production of political
| fools.
The speaker then drew striking picture
of the life of the man who earns S1.15 a
day
IN MINNEAPOLIS
and is compelled TO lie idle one-eighth OF
his time. He paid glowing tribute to
woman, and stated that the platform of the
knights OF Labor, in the framing of which
he had part, demanded in the
Hdiu0 VI Huihalhty anu JuSClce equal
pay for equal work regardless of sex. An
other strong point which he made was the
demand for the abolition of child labor. In
referring to the recent strikes and outbreaks
OF violence, he urged obedience to the laws,
as it must be by peaceful methods that the
reforms advocated can be accomplished.
Mr.. Trevellick addresses the Knights of
Labor assembly this evening.
Wanted in Minneapolis.
Special to the Globe.
CHICAGO, June pr. A. Michael, a
young man said to be fugitive from JUS
tice from Minneapolis, Mimi, was arrested
in this city to-day, 1t is charged that he
sold about $50 worth of clothes wringers
and things belonging to his employer and
fled with the money.