Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-02
THE WORKERS HOLIDAY.
Features OF the Celebration Of Labor
Day by District Toilers.

The WORKERS. HOLIDAY.
Features Of the Celebration Of Labor
Day by District Toilers.
rLoQUESCE AT THE PICNIC OF THE BRIcKLAYEns'
UNION SPEECHES REVIEWING THE RECENT
LEGISLATION N THE HoUsE-THE DAY AT RIVER
VIEW AND MARSHALL HALL.
The fun that was going on at the picnic Of
the Brckayers' Union atSchuetzen Park yes
terday afternoon was suspended for short
time just about sunset The Third Artillery
Band, which had been playing program OF
concert music. descended from the stand and,
forming in line, marched through the grounds
to military music. The effect Of this move, a.
is generally the CASE was to call together the
scattered merry-makers, who joined in the
march toward the band stand. A group Of men
already occupied the seats which had been pol
ished of by the musicians, aud among the
number the crowd recognized the faces Of
statesmen who had stood up on tho floor Of
the House the advocates Of the cause
Of labor. When the band ceased playing the
president of the union. Mr.. Thos. W. Levi,
stepped to the front ana with few terse re-
marks introduced the speakers. lie referred
to tho fact that the occasion WAS a notable one
because for the first time in the history of Or
ganiZed labor in the District Labor day was
being celebrated. He said that II number of
guests had been invited to be present and with
great deal of pleasure he introduced
REPRESENTATIVE WADE OF MISSOURI,
the chairman of the House labor committee,
whom he spoke of rs one OF the best friends
that organized labor has in the west These
few words of hearty commendation were in
dorsed by the crowd with enthusiastic cheers,
and Mr.. Wade was obliged to wait until the
demonstration had ceased before he could
make himself heard. He then said that he had
been sick and was still weak. He wanted,
however, to meet with the bricklayers of the
District in their first celebration of Labor day,
and had como out in spite of his weakened
condition. He was not able TO speak. but
would yield to his distinguished associates in
tho House who were on the platform.
REPRESENTATIVE oUINN's SPEECH.
Representative John Quinn, the next
speaker was introduced as one of the pioneers
in the agitation for the adoption Of eight-hour
legislation. The reception Of Mr.. Quinn by
the crowd showed that he was favorite with
the workingmen. He has magnetic manner,
and his eloquent periods aroused the greatest
enthusiasm. He spoke Of his early life, when
he followed the trade Of stone cutter, and said
that there was no fact in his career of which
he was prouder than he was of that. Twenty
years ago, he said, as member OF the stone
taken an active part in the great sight-hOur
strike. He suffered for his prominence in this
agitation he found that he was unable to
obtain employment This circumstance he
mentioned to show that laboring men must
expect sss to make sacrifices fees for the
member that :he reward for such
sacrifices would be commensurate with the
loss, even though that reward might not come
at once. He was still identified with the cause
- 4. - L y n
sentative Wade and his services in the House.
His championship of the cause OF labor on Sat-
urday was specially notable and bills were
passed such az had never before been enacted
by Congress.
THE PENDING BILLS IN CONGRESS-.
He predicted that these measures when they
became laws would be Of much advantage to
the toiling masses. He had been especially in
terested in the eigh.-hour law and rejoiced
that this bill had finally passed the House. The
alien contract bill was another important
measure, as it was intended TO prevent cap
itaiists from bringing over the paupers OF
Europe to Cypress American labor. If the
Senate did not pass this law. the speaker said
that it would fail in its duty to humanity. He
spoke of the great railroad strike in New York
and said that apparently the men had come
out without knowing exactly what they were
striking for. Still, in his opinion. the employ
ment OF Pinkerton men by the railroad corpora
ton was a gross outrage aud lie had introduced
q resolution in the House, which had been re-
ferred to the committee Of commerce. to make
the employment of this class of men illegal
The committee would consider the resolution
today and he hoped that the Bricklayers
Union would send delegation to appear be-
fore the committee and urge the enactment Of
snch legislation as would prevent repetition
OF these outrages
ADVOCATING THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE IN THE DIS
TRICT.
In conclusion he referred to the fact that the
citizens of the District were deprived of the
right of voice il the management of their
own affairs He advised that they agitate
until the powers that be give them the status
of citizens of the United States and not that of
foreigners. He advised the girls not to marry
man unless he was a citizen with all the rights
and privileges of citizen. In his opinion the
time was not far distant when the citizens of
the District would enjoy the right OF local
suffrage.
When the applause had ceased which marked
the close of Mr.. Quinns eloquence Represent
alive John Henry Mccarthy Of New York was
introduced as
THE LITTLE GIANT.
He soon demonstrated the fact that although
he is somewhat dimnutive in figure his voice
is large and round and reached the farthest
limit of the crowd that thronged about the
day which, he said, was not intended so much
to be day of picnics as a time when the labor
ing men should gather together and discuss
their future and declare to the world that they
are in the fight to stay there until their tri-
umph is won. The celebration of this day. the
speaker said, shows that laboring men believe
in free speech, in arbitration and in gaining
their rights by legitimate means This day
was not for communists nor anarchists, but
for American citizens He spoke OF what had
already been accomplished in labor legislation
by the passage by the House last week of the
several labor bills, and paid high tribute to
the services Of Representative Wade.
THE LAST STEAMER OF THE EVENING
was II. ]. Schulties of tho legislative committee
Of the Federation CT Labor. He said that the
record Of legislation during the past week in
the House was notable in the history of the
labor movement. Five bills have been passed,
namely the eight-hour bill, the eight
hour back-pay bill: the alien contract
labor bill and two bills for preventing the
competition of prison contract labor with
honest American labor. lie predicted that
Labor day holiday in the District.
entertained at a banquet in the hall and the
amusements in the park were resumed and con-
,inued until a late hour.
knights Of Labor at River View.
Labor day was celebrated at several Of the
river resorts yesterday with a rush. Gay par
ties of picnickers started down ON the river
boats from an early hour in the morning and