St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-10

a SOfClueiOu1 SlOdGcf tildu us people. u
process is going on in the country such as
is gradually destroying the capitol building
at st. Paul-the dry rot. The very fellows
who are running for Office are afraid to go
into it, and if you should elect Mayor
Ames governor he would demand a fire.
! proof umbrella before he would 60 into it. y
The mention of Mayor Ames in this con-
nection created great applause.
Just at this point whistle from the
steamer Hattie May rendered Mr.. Donnel-
ly's words inaudible. He stopped for a
moment, and then said, ''That steamboat
has voice like monopolist-it shuts out
the voice of the plain man." This sally
occasloned good laugh, and Mr.. Donnelly
continued: Fourteen United States SEN
ators are worth $151, 900. 900. Just think
OF 1T! What chance has the poor man
against such vast wealth as this? About as
much chance as an angel of heaven would
have III hell. The corrupting influences of
this wealth have already reached the highest
courts" and Mr.. Donneily here quoted
from statistics to show how the supreme
courts OF different states have sided i'll
favor of corporations as against the work.
ingmen.
Returning to the main point of his dis
course, the speaker continued:
The simple question is, shall we and our
children enjoy the blessings of this world?
VINO has been benefited by the great inven-
lions and discoveries? The workngmen or
the monopolies? Why, the latter, in the
greater measure.
The speaker here depressed to show how
completely combinations of rich men have
got nolu OF the steam, electricity and other
great forces that should be used to tighten
toll, and said that the only remedy is just
such organizations as the Knights of Labor.
Stand together, organize, study up the great
| questions that concern you. The two great
part1es are practically the same, their plat
forms are the same, and they simply negative
each other while the monopoliSt steals. They
are both in favor of civil service reform; they
are both in favor of high and low tariff. 1t
may be right to try and control your own
parties. but it is well to build for the future,
and to make your blows for freedom direct
| through your own channels.
| Mr.. Donnelly didn't forget to give J. J.
| Hill, president of the Manitoba road, side
| blow by citing his Indifference to the condi-
| tion OF the farmers, and told the story of a
rich miller who managed to get into heaven
| simply upon the plea that he had once be-
| friended q poor widow. Turning to Hon. G.
a. Pisbnry, he said he did not intend to be
understood Is referring to him, as he felt
sure the golden doors of heaven would open
wide and that Mr.. Pillsbury would enter
escorted by brass band. In closing, Mr..
| Donnelly appealed to the rich to be merciful
| to the poor-tO remember that Christianity
| should be the religion of the poor man.
! Christ scourged the bankers and drove them
out OF the temple. Supported by the doctrine
of the Bible and the doctrine of the Declar-
alton of Independence, what shall hinder
him from obtaining his rights? Before this
country are two futures. One is of conn-
try in which the suffering of the many is
contrasted with the pleasures of the few.
The other is of nation in which the work
IN gman is as happy as the middle classes are
to-day-a country i'll whose refulgent light
royalties shall disappear. Workingmen,
stand firmly together, work and vote together
for this end.
Mr.. Donnelly retired amid cheers and
applause. A letter from W. S. Chowen,
master of the state grange, was next read,
IN which he expressed regret that sickness
prevented his attendance.
Percy B. Smith of Saltwater made a
short but eloquent address, in which he re-
viewed some Of the causes leading to the
present deplorable condition of the repub-
lie He advised reform in the system of
public works and public contracts.
f. F. Davis of Minneapolis was the last
| speaker, and made one of the best addresses
of the day.
| He spoke briefly, sayin that he would only
| undertake to present some ideas upon the
labor question. For $50 years England legis-
lated in favor of the employer, and limited
| the pay of working men. There came a day
when the program was changed, when the
factory law was passed restricting the en-
ployment of children, providing for a
labor day. And this legislation fore
shadows the duty of this republic.
This country has reached the time when vast
fortunes are being aggregated in the hands
OF few, and when the working men must
strive to gain some Of the blessings of earth.
This can alone be done by organization. If
there are, as is stated 10000 Knights of La
Dor in Minneapolis, then labor has an oppor-
| tunity. 1t can wait at the threshold of
political conventions and demand a recogni-
ton that cannot be denied lit. God-speed
the Knights of Labor, or any other organiza-
| ton that has for an object the elevation of
men. to make their burdens lighter and their
lives more JOYOUS.