Workmen's advocate., 1889-12-21

Unlted states, more than Sl years ago, made eight hours the standard and measure of days labor. for all its workmen and mechanics. This stand. ard has not been adopted throughout the country, but we are marching in that direction. This movement, it seems to me, cannot be confined to a set or class alone, be it wage. .earners or the govern. ment itself. It belongs to us all. And the better we learn that we are one, that nobody can live unto himself alone, that civil society rises and falls with the rise and fall of its members, none excepted, the better 1t will be for us all.
 "l trust that your deliberations will be an honor to thls hall, to the city of Boston, whose guests you are, and to our common country" Applause.
 FOR THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE.
 Frank K. Foster, chairman of the joint reception committee of the city and State, said
 "On behalf of the organized labor of the old Bay State bid you welcome. We know that in all parts of the globe where there are labor organizations in existence, the eyes of thousands are turned on this Convention, awaiting anXiously the outcome of it's delibera tions. The great issues to be brought before you we all know command care. ful consideration and the exercise of your best judgment. You are here, not to legislate for the exclusive and select few, but for the workers in the field, the mine, and the factory, for the dwell lers in the tenement houses and on the plains, for those who feel most heavily the primal curse placed opon mankind. In their name we bid God.speed to your deliberations, and we hope also you will accept the hospitality of Boston and the old Bay State, in whose behalf I extend you greeting and fraternity from your brothers of this locality. And when you go hence, you will, hope, be confident of duty we'll done, and take with you pleasing recollections of the Hub of the Universe. Applause.
 WORKERS KNOW WHAT THEY WANT.
 President Gompers said:
 "YoUR EXCELLENCY, YOUR HONOR, My FRIENDS AND FELLOW WORKERS, BROTHER FOSTER :-I confess that words fail me to express the appreciation of your kind words, and your hearty and cordial welcome. The suggestions you have presented and the thoughts you have given expression to in connection with our organization we are pleased to hear, and shall give them that consider ation which we think they deserve.
 Organized labor of Massachusetts, organized labor of the country, organ ized labor of the world, has demonstrat- ed that the old thoughts that accompa. nied the name of organized labor, the old contumely and contempt for the efforts of the working people to organize and improve their condition, are not deserved, but, on the contrary, working people have organized and demonstrated their ability to organize, and with that time began an era when all men could see that organization of labor had the same tendencies, the same influences upon men that 1t has in any other form and station in life, that organization tended to enlighten the mind, to broaden the intelligence, to see clearer wrongs and injustice, and that, by concerted effort, we endeavor to improve them. think the whole world, the men who labor and think, acknowledge that the status of the working people is higher to-day than it ever was, that the work ing people have clearer perception and conception of their rights and privi leges. In their honest independence, that is only begotten from organization, they insist that in this world of ours tht producer of wealth is entitled to be 2 larger sharer in his product,
 Our organization is founded on em inently practical questions. We propose to organize our fellows, we propose tt improve the condition of our fellow workingmen and women, to raise then upon a higher standard of life, a higher | plane of the social structure in whicl we live. And we hope that a time goes on the working people shal | be larger sharers in the making ant execution of our laws. Applause.
 ''I assure you that the working peopl we represent, at least in trade union | and under the banner of the Americal Federation of Labor, know what thel want. l believe they possess the intel l ligence to formulate 1t, and hope tn influence to secure 1t. Applause.
 "We feel honored by the welcome ex tended to us on behalf of the State, ol behalf of the city which rolled forth il thunder tones the cry for greate degree of liberty for the people of tn country and the world. We are prou to be in Boston, we know so many of it memories and incidents connected wit its history; we revere its traditions an its men. Applause.
 ''I thank you again on behalf of tn delegates and officers here assembled and assure you that the welcome yo have extended to us will be stored up i our minds, and will ever be an epoch i the history of our organization. I ar confident as we'll as sharing the hop