Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-06

the most difficult task that II had TO perform
was to get at the true inwardness OF the
measures pending before Congress.
CUNNING BILLS.
They found that among the hundreds OF
bills now pending before the Senate and
House on the three great questions OF the
future-,iz.. land, transportation, and
finance-ihat but few OF them were drawn
with a view OF accomplishing the most
good In the interest OF the people; but, on
the contrary, 1t was common usage OF the
enemies Of The people to introduce bill
that on It's face would seem TO be good
aud wholesome measure In the interest OF
justice and equity, while In between the
lines 1t would contain the most insidiotls
clauses that the cunning brain Of a iaiIroid
attorney could invent. In fact, several
members OF Congress informed your con-
mIttee that il vas next TO an impo>sibility
TO get an honest and fair bill through either
branch Of Congress.
HOW wOREISGNES ARE DECEIVED.
Your committee also find that members
OF the order and other wOrkingmeB In
general are, ur der these deccptions, often
led To endorsing measures that are de-
cidedly injurious to their own best Interest.
Again. there is no possible chance OF edu.
eating the people on these frauds by any
thing that is said in Congress, as those who
have charge Of this.clasS Of legislation are,
as q rule, the most skilful tacticians In par
liamentary debate in the House, and they
have succeeded In making the House
rules such as 10 enable them tO smother
debate on every piece OF legislation
Of vicious character that may come
before either fouse in the interest OF
the corporate Interests Of the country, add
a commI'tee OF three would be more than
human that would be able 10 watch every
measure Of this nature. and BE- able to
,OuntCract the same. Now, your commit
tee is Of the opinion that in order TO COM
b t the corporate interest, aided a. it j.
by asubsidiZed press, that something more
than committee is not only needed, but
must be resoIted to IL we would arouse the
pcople on the wIOngs that are constantly
heing enacted by our lawmakers. And
in view Of this opinion held by your COM
mIttee, they beg leave TO offer the follow
ing suggestions. to be lid before the
General Assembly at Richmond on Octo.
Der 4th.
4 LABOR CONGRESS.
That tins body establish a congress OF its
own at Washington during the balance Il
the present session Of the United States
Congress. period OF one hundred days,
commencing December /, 1886; this con-
greSs TO consist Of one delegate from each
Of the thirty.eight States. they to be sc.
lectcd from the best speakers and debaters
in the order. They are TO be allowed Il
compensation Of 50 per day. and to be al.
lowed actual travelling expenses to and
from their home. They shall organize the
body by electing a speaker from their own
number, and shall appoint the same num-
ber Of committees % now are appointed
by the United States House Of Repre,eu.
ta;iycs: and they shall be designated by the
same utles.
This body shall be in session daily eiIht
homs per day-from \. VI. TO & u. NJ,
with one hour for dinner. This body
.hall. o. soon as II il organized, procure
copy Of every bill that is introduced IN
either branch Of the National Legislature,
and il shall at once be referred to the dp.
proprilte committee; and such committee
shall al once report the bill tO the body.
with recommendation rs II, IN is JUDI
mCut. may deem best. when 1t shall be de-.
hated by the sane, and il amended b. thr
bouy a committee shall De At once ap-
pointed to take the bill in its amended
form and present the same 10 the
committee Of either branch Of the national
Legislature that has il under consideration,
and request that the amendments be insert
ed in the hin. This body shall have a clerk
n istant clerk, and ,tonOgrapher; ser
gcant-at-a,ms, and IN assistant Sergcant.at-
arms. one dO0r.kecpcr and assistant door
keepcr-all Of which shall be members oi
the order. TEc General Executive Board
hall levy IN assessment pro rQtG on each
member Of The order to dcfray the expenses
oi this body. There shall also b. published
by This bodya daily record Of its proceed
ings, including debates, and copy Of the
sane furnished to each labor assembly, AMI
shall he sold to members OF the order anu
others al cost.
THE Willy POLITICIAN.
This is in brief submitted to you a.
supplementary report OF the committee.
Your cOmmittce il Of the opinion that the
cost Of maintaining such 4 body for one
hundred DAYS would not exceed twenty
five cents per member, and tha; its effect n
an educator Of the people would far exceed
that Of the National Legislature, rs 1t would
be mtrammcIled 10y any political bias. II
WrulG, in fact, b" a congress OF the com
non ICOplc--Whal tins nation hiS neNt'
seen htiorc-mdthc criticisms Of the mem.
ber, OF this body upon the utteranceS OF
the Numbers cf the other two houses
would be looked for by the wage.
worker, from one end Of this land 10 the
other. A. it is now, we are unable to COM
uete with the willy politician, and through
ihc uuscrupulous dealings of these men the
will Il the honest and wcll-mcaniOg portion
Of the people i, thwarted. But by this
mean, we would be able TO show them and
their ways bare TO the people. Your com.
mittce is 4 the opinion that athree months
SESSION Of such congress would be the |
mean, of awakening 70 new lie the now
apathy that exists among the pco-
pie, threatening their liberties.
All Of which is most respectfully sub. |
mutcd RALPH BEAUMONT. Chairman.
d. J mccartney, Secretary.