The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-11

EIGHT HOURS A DAY.
Mass Meeting at Chicago CmmuniStic Ora.
tor-Resolution Concerning the Strikes.

wa -ISCoVlublOu OVuCCl uiIS tuC obi lhOos
CHICAGO, April 10--Fully 5000 workngmen
crowded into the great armory of the Sixth Cav
airy, on the lake front, tonight, and probably
1900 more gathered in front of the building.
The occasion had been advertised as an eight
hour demonstration, under the auspices of the
Trades Assembly. A large proportion of the as
semblage came in organized bodies, preceded by
fife and drum and carrying huge transparencies.
Few of the men wore any regalia, and apparently
no attempt at display was made except in point
of numbers. Neither was there anything re-
sembling procession. The various unions
came trooping from all directions, and
first come first served was the rule as
to seats. Nevertheless excellent order
was maintained, hats were promptly removed at
the first tap Of the chairmar's gavel, and the
two or three hundred of the mems wives and
sweethearts who occupied tiers of seats in
place of honor were shown marked considera-
tion by the abandonment of pipes and cigars in
their vicinity. A curious feature Of the meeting
was the noticeable absence of youths and aged
men, The audience was almost wholly COM
posed of men between twenty-five ana forty,
comfortably clad. and few, if any, showing a
sign of liquor. There were not to exceed dozen
police to be seen in or about the hall Interest
centered in the transparencies, and as union
after union, at irregular intervals, marched into
the hall, and the crowd caught sight OF
the notices, the speakers voices were
lost in rounds of cheers that were renewed
again and again: Eight hours and no drones,n
Work eight hours only and boom tha labor
market, and "Oppose child labor were fair
samples. Among the trades represented the
most numerous were the carpenters, plasterers.
clothing-cutters and cigar-makers but long
list of others were not far behind in point OF
number George A. Schilling acted as chair
man. Ranged about him on the platform were
the leaders of the local unions and men promi-
nent in the labor movement. Among the latter
sat Judge Richard Prendergast, of the State
bench. Alexander Sullivan also occupied seat
on the platform. The addresses of the evening
were delivered by Thomas E. Hill, who spoke of
the progress of the eighthour movement: w ii.
Saltal and l.. N. Sawyer, who spoke on advanta-
ges of organization.
Just as the overflow meeting was fully under
way burly individual in long coat and wear
ing shabby slouch hat. mounted pile of lum-
ber in front of a saloon on the outskirts of
the crowd, and began a Socialistic harangue.
About the same time there emerged from the
hall in which the eight-hour demonstration was
being held file of men bearing red flag hav-
ing on 1t an inscription in German. This banner
had been borne in the hall while the meeting
was 10 progress, and, being of dizzy hue, and
kept furled, was not distinguished from the
half dozen other flags. all of which were
the regulation stars and stripes About five hun
dred evidently earnest sympathizers drew close
to the Socialist orator who proved to be an An
archist named Sam Fielding. At his feet sat
his negro wife On the outskirts Of the gather
ing of Fieldngs supporters, were an equal num-
ber of curiosity seekers. making his audience
round thousand. The frst-named class of listen
ers were easily discerned by their hearty ap-
that their cries and conversation were not in
English. Inquiries directed to the two men
who bore the red flag developed the
fact that neither of them could
speak the language in which Fielding
was addressing the crowd. He was succeeded
Labor, after which his hearers formed in line
and marched to the hall of the international So
eiety. The other meetings both In the hall and
on the outside were prolonged much later. But
few references were made by the speakers to
the existing railway strikes, and their principal
point was that strikes should be made practically
impossible.
Though the strikers were practically left un-
touched by the speakers, an expression of the
feeling of the multitude was given in the follow
ing, which was adopted by acclamation, amid the
widest enthusiasm:
Resolved; That this s-meetng of citizens of Chi
cago denounces the perfdy of Jay Gould in breaking
his agreement with the Knights of Labor to settle the
traton. By his letter of Sunday. March % last to
T. V. Powdelly General Master Workman of the
Knights of Labor, Gould stated in substance that
the grievances of the. men now on strike on
the Southwestern railroad system would be
submitted to arbitration This letter written to
Powderly after two interviews on that Sunday at
Gould bouse, and part of the agreement between
Gould and the Knights of Labor In accordance with
the same agreement, General Master Workman Pow
derly telegraphed the strike to to work
at Gould the next day by falsehood and double
dealing, violated this agreement, and he did this
Knights of Labor. We, therefore. declare that the
conduct of Gould In this matter is base in the
treme, and we call upon the public everywhere to
faniarze themselves with the facts in the case and
to Judge who is blame for the continuance of the
strike-Gould or the Knights of Labor.
Some of the city papers estimate that the
gathering numbered between Is. 600 and 20, COO
men. 1t was probably the largest labor demon
atration ever held in this city.