Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-04-07
A LONE ALDER NJ AN.
A PEOPLES REPRESENTATIVE
AMONG BOODLERS.
ChicagO'S Trade and Labor Assem-.
bly's rrOpOsitiOns--Il0W They
We're Receiyed-BO BOOdlers'
Spite-'lis Coming!
Be Prepared.


of the city of Chicago just one
stralghtout Labor representative,
Edward Connor, who was elected by
the Labor Party about year ago
from the Fifth Ward. Through
him the Chicago Trades and Labor
Assembly presented their demands
in relation to the street car traffic to
the City Council. A synopsis of his
argument was printed in the WORK.
MEMS ADVOCATE about two months
ago, but it was not until tins week
that we received II copy of u report
of the action Of the Common Coun-
Gil, 50, 900 of which We're issued by
the Trade and Labor Assembly for
agitation and the information of the
citizens.
The following five propositions
were submitted for insertion in the
cable road ordinance:
l.. 1liI nNt NfIltS bt fliil ett lOI
each fare for any distance within the
city limits.
"2. That one cent from each fare be
paid into the city treasury 10 be used for
the purchase of the street car lines on or
before the expiration of their charters.
"3. That eight consecutive hours
labor, with an interval of one hour for
meals, be the limit of each day of twenty
four hours, for all employees of the com
pany.
a. That twenty five cents per hour
le the lowest wages for any person EN-
plnyed by the company.
-. That suitable places in which to
eat, wash and have the use of closets. be
provided at the end of each line for the
convenience and comfort of the conduct
ors and drivers
In view of the fact that the street
ear companies pocketed net profits
amounting to nearI y five and half
million dollars during the previous
year, these propositions of the Trade
and Labor Assembly must appear
modest to the unprejudiced mind.
On presenting the propositions,
Alderman Connor argued them cate
goricaIIy, until he reached the fourth
proposition, when, i'll the midst Of
his argument, the President of the
Council called the speaker to order
on the plea that his time had ev-
pired.
Alderman Connor protested against
this arbitrary act of the President,
and cited the fact that at every meet
ing other aldermen were permitted
to speak as long as they pleased upon
any subject no matter how trihlng
it might be.
During the delivery Of Alderman
Connor's speech he was constantly
interrupted by points of order and
foolish or insulting remarks or inter
ruptions from the various members
Of the Council, those not so engaged
were reading, writing, or engaged in
conversation with each other or with
the agents of corporations or indiyld-
uals seeking valuable privileges from
the Council.
The following is sample of the
short discussion that ensued upon
the stoppage Of Alderman Connor's
speech:
Alderman Wcthcrcll, lumber mer-
chant, denounced the amendments
of Alderman ConnOr as fool amend
ments.
Alderman Kerr, LAWYER, heartily
concurred i'll the remarks of Alder
man Wetherell, and added that such
matters had no place in this Council,
and wanted to know if Alderman
Connor proposed to give the unem-
ployed work by having the street
cars run by hand power.
Alderman Gle. Board of Trade
specutator, denounced Alderman
Connor As representative of the
most insignificant portion of the
community whose requests were not
entitled to moments consideration
at the hands of the City Council,
that he (Connor) was the only repre-
sentative of the labor party in the
Council and there would never be