Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-04-19
TRADES ASSEMBLY.


They Hold Meeting at Columbus Satur-
day and Present Il Memorial to the Legis-
Iature.
The legislative committee of the Knights
of Labor held a meeting at Columbus Sat
urday and adopted the following:
'CnLIMUS, O.. April Il.
To the General Assembly of Ohio:
''HuNoRARIE SIRS The legislative board
of the Ohio State Trades and Labor Assem-
bly respectfully ask YOU to take some action
in reference Ia the present labor trouble at
Springfield. this state, with view of cor
recting abuses growing out of the corporate
laws of the state As is evidenced in this
lockout at Springfield, and as was drVrl-
"ped in the lOck-OutS at East Liverpool in
1882 and in the Hooking valley in 1854. You
must be aware that the Champion works, of
Springfield, operated by VIM. \. Whitrley.
locked out their employees solely upon the
ground that said employees belonged to labor
organizations; that ne has repeatedly stated
that he would not treat with his employees
except aS individuals; that he wants tu
treat with them aS free men men will
ing to surrender their dearest rights into his
keeping. In view of the fa1 that Mr..
Whiteley belongs 10 an organized combna-
ton of capital, covered by the shield Of the
state. with the right and the power Ia throw
all the weight of all the capital of his cor
pOrati0n As he wishes against the interests
Of his employees, We feel that his employees
should have the right To aNS,s'iatr them
selves together for the protection of their
interests, and be- entitled to like protection.
Holding these views, we submit the follow
ing pre- amble and resolutions for your con
SidrratiOn:
Wv hereas, The corporate laws of our
state were enacted for the purpose of f0>-
tering investments of capital. adv amCmg
and perpetuating the interests of our p"U-
pie: and
Whereas, Any company Ur business firm.
protected by corporate laws, and that by
its acts does that which is directly opposed
10 public policy, and discriminates against
citizen labOreTS. is guilty of direct viola
tOn of the spirit and intent OF the laws
which grant them the rights and privileges
which they enjoy, as above the rights and
privileges enjoyed by individual citizens:
and
Whereas. The Champion Reaper Com
pany,' of Springfield. protected by our cor
purate laws. has refused tu treat with or
ganiZed labor, but insists upon treating with
employees aS individuals, has By its acts de
MED to citizen labOrerS. rights and privileg-
Is like unto those enjoyed by them rs a cor
pOratiOn: be it
Resolved. That As citizens, whether
members of corporations or employees of
corporations, We are entitled to equal rights
before the law, and inaSmuch as the troUb-
les between employers and employees at
the places above referred 10. have developed
the fact that corporations have used their
corporate rights and privileges To exact from
| labor conditions not in accord with AmeTi-
can liberty, we ask that you remove this in
| equality between employer and employees
| by SO amending our corporate laws as tC
provide for a revocation of the charters OF
corporations that refuse TO labor the right
TO organize for mutual protection.
Signed on behalf of the board.
~. X. HY>EII, President.
wv. K. ECKLEN. Secretary"