St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-01
A LABOR LYCEUnI.
liz. Ill. Shadrick Fails tn Appear--Ex-
temperaneOus Speeches.

temperaneOus Speeches.
Garfield Post hall was filed last evening
through the expectation of speech from
Il. II. Shadrick of Minneapolis, who was
annou need 10 speak. After waiting q while
for the appearance of Mr.. Shadrick, A. l..
Robinson was called to the chair and Mr..
Miner was called to the floor. Mr.. Miner
called the attention of the audience to some
things to which the attention of organized
labor could profitably be turned. There
was the contract prison labor question, the
Millers' association, the matters of boycott
ing and corporation. He said the Mime
apOliS Millers' association are making -four
that costs the laboring man 80 cents bar
rel more than the price for which ii could
be probably manufactured. He favored
the establishment OF cooperative mills. 4
Knight of Labor followed briefly, SAYING
that the various abuses and WRONGS which
the workingmen suffered were owing to
their own inactivity. In organ
iZatiOn lay the means OF fighting them.
Maj. L. NJ. Newson was present, and was
called upon to speak. He advised conserva-
tism and the policy of waiting for the crea-
ton of favorable public sentiment, for the
labor movement had God and right on its
side. He said: 'Our country and It's soci-
OIsF
to the antagonism of capital andslabor he
said 1t was a good and necessary thing, but
when capital says we will combine against
these men. it Is time that they rise and as
sert their rights. The movement needed
cool, wise heads for leadership, and in the
ballot was the proper weapon TO be used.
When labor properly asserted its tire
mendous powers capital would assume an
attitude of awe and respect. Nobody, he
said, had proper conception of the rascal
ity and injustice of the Millers' association.
He was not working for or wanting any
bOdy's votes, but he was interested in the
elevation of a race of men.
On motion vote of thanks was rendered
the speaker for the address.
c. w. Stevenson didn't wish to make a
speech. Such meetings should be held for
the purpose Of drawing OUT men who were
not used to speaking, and of educating
them. If he had a parrot he would learn
it TO perch over his door and say to every
man that passed these words, Organic.
educate. organize" Get the worklngmen
together constantly and teach them their
duties TO society, 10 their families and to
themselves. Let them be taught their
needs and how to use the power they
possess, q power ''that falls like snowfiakes
on the sod. but executes the freemans will
as lightnings do the will of God" The
questions Of shorter hours for workingmen.
child and prison labor, were also spoken Of
Z. q. Foster said he was raised on coal
dust and would try and say something
about the affairs of the coal miners i'm the
East Coal sold at about IS ton, while
the miner got Il cents a ton. according to
the scale. But the miner didn't get this
amount in clear money for the coal he
actually mined The coal was screened
before he was paid, and he re-
ceiyed nothing for what went through
the screen. They had to pay for
keeping their tools in repair, and were
compelled 10 buy their provisions at COM
pany stores and at high prices. They were
abused and taken advantage of by the
bosses in many ways, and their votes were
largely controlled by the same men. They
lived in poverty and squalOr, without the
ordinary comforts and amenities OF life.
and children were put to work at an early
age.
Mr.. Miner wanted to say TO all members
Of the skilled trades. that they should strive
to be thoroughly posted in their trade
When work Is scarce the skilled workman
stood the best chance for work, and in
times when work was plenty, employers
were defrauded by the poor work of men
who were not up in their business.
Maj. Newson suggested that organized
labor should concentrate on one thing at a
time. Public sentiment was ripe for il, and
It would be proper 10 call a mass meeting to
consider the prison labor question and pre-
pare petitions for general circulation
throughout the state to present at the next
session OF the Legislature.
On motion, Mr.. Newton was requested to
prepare resolutions to that effect and pre-
sent them at the next meeting The meet
ing adjourned for one week.