Workmen's advocate., 1889-12-21


 the working people all classes of the people are correspondingly benefited. l ask you trades unionists to rise to the standard of what will be expected of you at this convention. The eyes of the world are riveted on Boston today, and this week. (Applause.) It behooves us as men who have laid claim to sincerity of purpose, who have been honored and trusted by our colaborers, to show that we are worthy of our time, worthy of our movement, and honestly repro eent the interests of our fellow-workmen to- day, and endeavor to work out their aspirations for tomorrow. (Applause.)
 SENATOR TOWARDS REMARKS.
 Robert Howard responded to the toast of "The Commonwealth of Massachu- setts," He alluded to the excellent labor laws which he and others had been in- strumental in placing upon the atatute books, and described how, starting out with $100 granted by the Federation, he carried on a successful agitation for like enactments in Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire, and, after many weeks work, returned some of the mo- ney to the Federation, his expenses ha- wing amounted to only $S3. Laughter and appause.) The speaker went on to say ''I eel.sure that in the eight-hour movement Massachusetts will not be be- hind-that a reduction in the hours of labor will elevate our people physically, morally and intellectually, and that if not only Massachusetts, but also this ,t,xr {, 1n, in the great commercial race now going on in the world it will have to make it's people superior to all others physically, morally and mentally, and this is what l think the eighthour law would do." Loud applause.)
 P. J. MAGUIRE'S SPEECH.
 Mir. P. J. Mcguire replied to the senti- ment "Hew to the line, let the chips fall where they may" We shall hew to the line, he said, and the line we should hew to is the trades union line. Uaugh- ter and applause) We have hewed to the line and made that line distinct, squared up the corners and cut off many chips. At the last convention we cut
 
 rying that chip on our shoulder, and do not propose to have it knocked off by any man who carries 95 hour chip. (Wid applause and laughter.) The spea- ker went on to refer to the increasing distinctness of the trades union line, and to the encouraging growth of theFedera- | tion. He declared the carpenters to be in favor of eight hours, from San Fran cisco to Victoria in British Columbia, and from Bunker Hill along through the middle states. The eight. hour move ment was one which had its strength. not in politicians, but in the workers themselves; it was essentially a labor movement, and not one in which they needed to look to the farmers to help them on, [Great laughter.
 RESPONSE OF JOHN KIRSCHNER.
 The toast "The blue label-long may it stick" was responded to by MT. John Kirschner. He reminded workingmen that it was their duty to protect their interests, not only as producers but also as consumers, and held that no men ought to buy product which was not stamped with the insignia of honest labor. Applause. The speaker, while alluding specially to the cigar label, de- tended the use of honest labels in every trade. Renewed applause.
 OTHER TOAsTS AND SPEAKERS.
 Robert Y. Ogg of Detroit, Mich., re- presenting the l. T. U.. spoke on "The art preservative of arts," in response to the toast. He reviewed briefly the or ganization and work of the printers trade union, and made felicitous state- ments of the spirit that has prevailed in the printers combination, He was fol- lowed by George w. Reid of the Sailors and Firemen's International Union on "Those who go down to the sea in ships" The toasts thereafter, which were necessarily responded to briefly, were: Labor cranks," response by Jo- seph Labade, Detroit Trades Council "The modern Tubal Cains," response by F. M. Shatfer, A. A. of l. and $. Work CTS; "Our western guests-may they find Boston hospitality acceptable" response by J. L. Naugn, Denver; "I'he necessity of closer relationship between the buyer and seller of labor,' responseS by N. P. Gilman; "Boston Central Labor Union-always to the front in labor re- form" response by President J. c. Cllnkard; Carpenters District Council bound for eIght hours May 1, 1990," response by President Hugh Mckay; "The Amalgamated Building Trades Council-may its foundation never rock. response by President Burt E. Stone Boston common councilmen- not as black as they are painted" re- sponse by Councilman Charles J. Chance.
 Messrs. Mackie and Walker inter- spersed the toasts with happy caricature hits and songs. Messrs. Geppel and Kee- l n rarHnrnH on ,art ni innrr r,,nnir,