The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-08-19
Brief and Harmonious Con-
gress of the State
Trades Unions.
NO KNIGHTS NEED APPLY.
The Eight-Hour Work-Day Strongly
Endorsed---Preparing for Ftf-
ture Legislative Work.
snecial to tie jersey citu Mems.

Council Chamber yesterday morning
when the twelfth annual session of the
Federation Of Trades and Labor Unions
Of the State of New Jersey was called to
order, and it was nearly an hour after the
time set for the meeting when the presi-
dents gavel sounded. The time was not
entirely wasted, as the delegates from the
various unions throughout the State were
busy presenting their credentials and
paying their capitation tax to Secretary
o. B. White, of Paterson. This tax is ten
cents for each member of the union in
good standing.
Forty-four labor unions were represent
ed, belonging for the most part in this
city. Jersey City and Paterson. IL was
evident from the beginning that the old
trouble between the Knights of Labor and
trades unionists would find expression in
this congress Before the delegates were
called to order caucus was held, and it
was then decided to keep the knights
out. The only two organizations that
sent delegates with X. of il. credentials
were the Silk Dyers' Benevolent Associa-
tfon of Paterson and L.. A. 1921 of Oxford,
Warren county.
A Committee on credentials was ap-
pointed, and while the committee was
attending TO its duties the president,
Samuel Mellor, Jr., of Trenton, delivered
10 the organization.
PRESIDENT MELLoR'S ADDRESS.
s"rhe object of our organization" he
said, ''clearly sets forth the advantages to
be gained through united action by the
organized workers. Already the statute
books of our State contain numerous laws
for the protection of labor which are the
direct result of the Federation's efforts
Ii we would continue the good work we
must perform something more than mere
lip service toward securing the forma-
tion Of new labor unions and placing our
State organization upon purer and
sounder basis. We must make organiza-
rion attractive; we must make it, bene-
fetal; we must make it convincing; we
must show its desirability. The nom
unionist must be taught that the princi-
pies of unionism are those OF Justice and
equity.
1.-The necessity for a new constitution
was never more apparent than at the
present time. 1t is the general opinion
that the conditions existing at the time OF
our organization, or even one or two
years ago. are not those of today, and
that the new laws, new rules and new
customs are essential to our present we'll
being and future prosperity. Under the
present law the Legislative Committee
consists of twelve members This num-
Der has been found too large for effective
work, and an unnecessary strain upon an
already 1DSuulCl6nbi ITGdSuTy. 9IONlslOu
has been made in the new constitution
for materially reducing the number.
AN EIGHT-HoUR WORK DAY.
stThe necessity of reducing the hours
Of labor is apparent to all. This can only
be obtained by thorough organization
aud concerted action throughout the
whole United States by the substitution
of day work for piece work, wherever
practicable, and by discouraging the
'soyertime" system of labor, as contrary
to the, principles of organization and
directly thwarting every movement in
the direction of reduction of the hours
of labor / am happy to note the forma-
4 tion of single tax associations in various
sections of our State. The single tax is
one of the most important steps in labor's
advance.
I'm no other way can the cause of labor
be so rapidly advanced as by the cham
pionship of the labor press. 1t is the most
uotent factor in the dissemination of
truth and principle. and should be en-
couraged and fostered by labor every
where. Those of us who are familiar
with newspaper work know how far we
are from having q free press" The
fearless championship of labor measures
time and again brought the editor of that
journal, labor's staunch friend, j. p. Nc
Donnell, under the ban of political or
social displeasure, and he has been made
to suffer loss for his too ardent interest in
our behalf Let us encourage the Stdn-
dard in every way possible, and resent
every blow at her freedom.
Year after year the State spends thou
SANDS of dollars to support the National
Guard for one week at a State camp at
Sea Girt. Ii the question comes up of
abolishing contract work OF any kind in
the State, in order that labor may receive
living wages, there is an immediate pro-
test from the Solons of law and the head
of Government against an eXtrayagant
expenditure of public funds; but the fifty
or sixty thousand dollars expended an
nually to place Oh exhibition for one week
only a lot of brevetted Colonies and Gen
erals, that they and their friends may be
wined and dined, is cheerfully given from
the public funds, and must come directly
or indirectly from the taxpayers of our
State. We should emphatically protest
against this annual humbug and robbery.
Before concluding my remarks | de-
sire to allude briefly to the organization
known as the industrial Senate which
made it's appearance during the past win
ter. 1t is made up principally, and. be-
lieye, sOley, of members OF the x. of u.
Their object seemed to be to frustrate the
efforts OF the Legislative Committee OF
the Federation in behalf of labor bills be-
fore the Legislature Their success in
this line has been phenomenal. 1t is my
desire that we dwell together in unity
but if this cannot be done, 1t is impera-
tive that we adopt some measure at this
session looking to the formation of dis
tinct State trades organization, and thus
insure skilled labor the protection that
harmony and mutual sympathy always
bring, In the main, there is no conflict
between the X. of IL. and trades unions.
In my individual capacity l am willing
TO do all / can to promote the prosperity
of the X. of l.. Let work of organization
90 on. The more wisely and thoroughly
10th branches of labor are organized the
less friction and hard feeling will there
be. would have it thoroughly under
stood by the members of the x. of L.
that if l appear to be opposing them,
am not opposing the main principles at
stake, but what / believe are the mis-
taken and bad methods OF applying those
principles"
THE YEARS LEGISLATION.
The Committee on Legislation reported
on the tloings of the State Legislature in
respect to labor interests. 1t gave list
OF the bills backed by the Federation
with their fate. Tie most important
were the "Pinkerton' bill which was
passed. and the Mechanics Lien" bill
which was beaten. The report con-
Guided thus
ssIn concluding our report, we desire to return
thanks to the House of Assembly for the cour-
teous and considerate treatment the Federations 8
measures received. 1t is but just to say that
contissned on Second RnoA