The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-02-23
At the Opera House.

At the Opera House.
After parading as above set forth. those
in the procession and many others crowded
their way into the Opera House, where
speeches by prominent labor men were de-
livered
Upon the stage were the speakers and
council of the Federated trades union.
The parquette was covered with the dane
ing floor and the dress and first circles were
well filed with listeners. r. G. Sleater
acted as chairman of the meeting. In open
ing the meeting, he said Ladies and gentle
men, fellow citizens and fellow working
men: This day set apart by the officers
OF the labor organizations throughout the
United States and Canada TO celebrate and
hold mass meetings for the purpose of
agltatlng the eight-hour movement for the
working man, and we are here for that
purpose to-day in common with our fellow
laborers In other cities. Apologizad for
the rather slim parade, saying it was
owing TO the condition of the streets. al
though he thought the apology unneces-
sary. He was sorry to state that many
members of the union were Obliged To
work, not being able to afford the DAVIS
lay-of. The meeting would not be pro
tracted and the speeches would be short.
whereupon he introduced to the audience
JAMES DEvINE,
marshal of the day. Mr. Devine was not
ashamed of his uncouth and muddy ap-
pearance, as he could not help the condi-
ton OF the weather. AT any rate the peo-
pie Of Salt Lake had lately been accustomed
to seeing speakers whose clothes were be
spattered with mud. AS had been stated
this demonstration had been called through
out the United States and Canada TO adyo
cate the movement that has been advocated
with sometimes and in some places. success.
and also with no success-that of obtaining
Tor the working man an eight-hour dav
Not alone as working men are we here. but
as citizens of our glorious republic. in
which country all alike are guaranteed
freedom under our CONSTITUENCIES fellow
citizens interested in one object. namely. TO
propagate anything that we deem shall be
for the interest of mankind generally. tt
is on occasions of this kind that men feel
proud that they were born or live on Amer
lean soil-that they live under conditions
to receive and participate in the boons
granted by the constitution. Among those
privileges which belong to US is the right
20 live and improve and enjoy ourselves.
and it is for this we demand an eight-honr
working day.
Gentlemen" said he, eff it is for the in
terest of the workingmen to have an eight
hour day, then it is for the interest of
every citizen that lives under the stars
and stripes, for the country, and the gov
srnment depends upon the workingmen. -
The worklngmen were proud that they
could meet thus to express their views and
discuss principles in which all are inter
ested. They met not as anarchists or com
munlsts. The workingmen largely out
number all other classes of citizens. They
have found that by establishing an eight.
hA., 4 %l., Il
ing hours in beneficial study and healthful
and pleasant recreation, and not in de-
hatchery, as some assert-the time thew
will spend in improvement and with their
wives and families. l am proud to be able
TO assert that you gentlemen. when Won
get the two or three hours more time free
from work, when you quit your work
will not go to the saloon or spend
your time in debauchery or in
such a way that would bring misery
and disgrace to your family. No. /
believe that the workingmen would estab
lish educational institutions, would train in
healthful pastime, and what is probably the
most important, they would transmit to
posterity strong and healthy bodies
and consequent pr olific minds Every
citizen should be in favor Of an eight hour
day, that the working man might have
time to spend in the society of his wife
al
books. that ne may become a better citizen
than he now is.
EX-GOVERNOR WEST
was introduced next as the chairman of
the chamber of commerce. He said: Mr.
Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: Upon in.
vitation | am here to-day to address YOU in
very few words. | think it is exceedingly
appropriate that you should select this day
60m0n G
country, because this is the anniversary of
the birth of the hero of the great nation
that was founded upon principles which
have given the laboring man tie fairest
and freest privileges that are granted in
the whole world. To the working man in
this country, every avenue is open--there
are no gates closed against him. Not only
have we had the rail-splitter and the nail
driver elevated to the highest position in
our government, but we have had men
from the humblest ranks among orr noblest
and most influential statesmen.
know that 1t would be but an lille dream
to expect to redress all the wrongs that
labor has suffered. To indulge in sucf
Utopian fancies would be but waste al
time. because we as mortals are very i'm
perfect, and therefore cannot make an alb
solutely perfect system of government Dor
this earth, and it should be the object of the
labor organizations to unite for the purpose
of lettering the condition of mankind-tc
make happier homes and to get all the en-
ioyment possible out of the gifts benefi
Gently bestowed upon mankind by the Gre
ator. Labor organizations should take W
one by one the wrongs which affect then
most, and go direct to the root and origin o.
those wrongs. While all the avenues of life
and happiness are open TO all, still / an
satisfied that we as people are not living
Jne pest lives that we could live: we are tor
greedy, tood DESTROYS of obtaining money. Thai
very desire for pomp and display makes
men labor more hours than is best for him
not only the man VINO earns his bread by
the sweat of his brow, but the merchant
the lawyer and in fact all classes of men in
all the walks and avenues of life.
One loud crying evil is the fact that in
this free country high station is too often