Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-09-21
THE CIGARMAkERS.
Socialism in the Convention of a
Great Trade.

Cigarmakers' International Union of
America met on Tuesday morning,
Sept. Il, at Tammany Hall, in this city.
About $50 delegates were present at the
opening, The first day was spent in
the appointment of committees. On
the second day President Strasser deliv-
cred his annual address, which was re-
ceived with applause,
Under the order of business, amend
ments to the constitution were then
considered, and an animated debate took
place on proposition of Union No. 100
of Philadelphia to insert the following
preamble:
'DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF THE CI-
GARMAKERs' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF AMERICA:
1--WE declare it as our belief that SO
long as the implements necessary to the
enjoyment of labor are subject to the
control Of the indiridudl as against the
masses those having no means to EN-
ploy their own labor must sell the same
for 1cdgeS to the individual in possession
of those means. This is the chief factor
in sthe individualistic, competitive sys.
tenn of society, and enables the individ.
ual to exploit the labor of the masses by
taking advantage of their necessities;
thus wealth is constantly accumulating
in the hands of few, while the greater
number are merely ekiDg out an exist
ence by hard, unrequted toll from day
to day. We therefore denounce this
system, and express our hope of its abo-
ltion and the substitution therefor of
the system of universal cooperation;
1. e., the collective self-employmen of
all workers, by placing the control and
ownership of the means of production
and distribution in the community as
distinct from the individual We be.
lieve individual rights and liberties can
be conserved by a community of inter-
ests. Even now what little liberty of
right is enjoyed by the individual comes
to him through the combined powers of
the many, as exemplitied in the almost
general sway of organization in all the
the numerous ramitications of society.
We, too, have embraced this funda-
mental truth and organized portion
of our class, not from any mercenary
motive but for noble and exalted aim.
The hardships and poverty of our class
resulting from unequal and unjust con-
ditions compel us to band together in
order to brave the employing class in
the lockouts and strikes they force upon
us; in meeting the wants of our sick
and unemployed; in burying our dead
brothers and sisters; in providing for
their widows and orphans, and to ameli-
crate our condition in every way open
to us; by these means we desire to keep
alive the Spirit of solidarity and frater-
nifty among the entire class of toiIers
and strengthen them in their struggles
for emancipation; only by the thorough
unitication of all the workers can the
final aim be achieved.
I'VE further demand of the law w-mak-
ing powers the prohibition of child
labor up to its 18th year, and the COM
pulsory education of children free of
! charge; the abolition of convict and
contract labor; the legalization and en-
couragement by the State of the work
ing peoples rganizations; the reduction
of the hours of labor to eight per day;
| to the health and safety of all workers;
the executive officers having charge of
their enforcement to be chosen from
the organized workers; the prohibition
of the truck system, and the discontinu-
ance of the practice by employers and
corporations of employing the police
! power of the State III coercing and in
timidating their employees in cases of
| strikes and lockouts, and the passage of
laws instituting the Australian system
of voting"
John S. Kirchner, of Philadelphia,
made telling speech in support of the
amendment. He said:
Il consider it as an axiom that all
wealth is produced by labor. The labor
ers are, therefore, the only rightful
owners of all wealth. The important
question for me is not so much to get as
large a per cent. as possible of the
wealth | have produced, but to get the
full product. If by one days work
produce $500, | shall never be satisfied
with $3.50. Profit is plunder taken
from labor. Our demands are just and
the day will come when we will realize
them. Collectivism is not new idea;
the State itself is a collectivist institu-
| ton
Jablinowsky of New York said it would
make little difference whether the pre-
amble was adopted or not, the move
ment would take its inevitable course
independent of the accidental result of a
vote; but he would vote for the pream-
bic because its publication, submission
to general vote and consequent discus
sion would help to enlighten the mem
brrs Of the union. He could not un-
derstand what possible objection could
be made to the simple truths expressed
in the preamble. "What have you TO
lose!' he Aed. Liberty Delegate
Dundon. of Blnghampton, who is a
! George man. interiected "Is that lib.