The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-09
TO AID THE STRIKE.
Seattle Knights of Labor Hold
a Public Meeting.
SPEECHES ON THE SITUATION.
The Public Triangle Sees Its First Mass
Meeting-Collection Raised for
Central Strikers.

The public triangle at the junction OF
Front. Commercial and James streets and
fesier avenue. was utilized for q public
demonstration for the first time last even
ing. The event was an open air meeting
Oh the Seattle workingmen, called by the
western Central Labor Union for the pur-
pose of envoking substantial aid and ex-
tending sympathy TO the New York Gen.
trai strikers.
Shortly after dark the crowd began to
gather. and by s O'Clock at least 1000
workingmen surrounded platform in the
center of the square to listen to speeches
from their resident champion, NJ. J.
Mooney. and Mr.. A. NJ. Knox, of Ne
braska, well known in labor circles of his
own state. and very good talker.
On the right hand corner of the platform
was placed an American flag. and the fire.
quent illusions of the speakers to the
emblem and the rights of the laboring
men, brought forth bursts of enthusiasm.
The first speaker to address the crowd
was Mr.. Mooney, who was introduced by
Chairman j. Crawford. Mr.. Mooney
spoke at some length. and was frequently
interrupted by applause. He explained
the duties and rights of the workingman
and said:
The workingman engages himself to a
capitalist or corporation, to receive in CON-
pensation for reasonable amount of labor
performed a named salary. The work is
done in satisfactory manner and the one
for whom it is performed is satisfied. The
one who performed the work receives his
salary; he has enough to eat; himself and
family are clothed, and he is satisfied.
Perhaps this man has been intoxicated
and has been incapable. He has not per-
formed his work properly or satisfactorily,
and his employers cannot put up with him
longer. They tell him they cannot afford
to pay him when he is incompetent, and
when Saturday night comes around he
knows what to expect--he receives his pay
and he is told his services are not needed.
This man has no one but himself to blame.
ION the other hand, a man has performed
his work faithfully. He has been sober
and industrious, and his employ ers have
every reason TO De satisfied with his efforts.
This man has not, however. lost all his
manhood. he has not allowed his en-
ployers to guard his private actions or his
liberties. and when Saturday night comes
around he is given his pay and told he is
no longer wanted, and why? I'll tell you
why-because he has sought to better his
condition socially, financially and morally
by identifying himself with that greatest
and grandest OF all organizations. the
Knights of Labor! lApplause.l
Fellow workingmen, that is the reason
of the New YORK Central strike today
Our Eastern brothers rose up in arms when
they heard of the injustice done their fell
low laborers. Shall we not main ain our
rights and our liberties by upholding their
just action and by rendering the strikers
and their families substantial aid?" When
the speaker took his seat he was given
three rousing cheers and tiger.
The chairman nextintroduced Mr. Knox
He is speaker of considerable force, but
more radical than Mr.. Mooney, and many
of his views did not receive the approba-
ton given the preceding speaker. When
he had finished, call was made for cash
donations, and the committee appointed
received good deal of money. The chair
man announced that money would be re-
ceived from donors at the Western Central
Labor Union headquarters. at the corner
of Front and Madison streets. A commit
tee has also been appointed to canvas
stores ana residences for assistance for the
strikars