Evening journal., 1890-02-14
LAST EDITION
THE NINE-H0UR CAMPAIGN
CARPENTERS AND JolNERS HOLD
AN OPEN MEETING.

p. :. NeGnire and j 8. Kitchener Lee
ture TO Wilmington Workinrmen in
Institute all-Arguments in Favor OF
Nine Honrs' Work Per Day.
Local Union No. 49, Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners of America, held
public meeting in Institute Hall last
night, and fired the first gun in the
earnest, yet conservative campaign they
intend making this year to bring about
the nine hour system In Wilmington.
Ahe large auditorium was fairly well
hlled with an audience, composed mostly
OF carpenters and other mechanics.
The Committee of Arrangements, con-
sisting of f. S. Cakes, Irving Seeds,
William Underwood, Charles Sharpless.
William HARRIET. David E. Bell, Edward
L. West, John Hayden and Louis Smith,
described a semi-cirole on the stage.
Hyatt's Military band was stationed in the
balcony and enlivened the proceedings
with the rendition of number of popular
airs.
After the applause which greeted ''Mc-
Ginty" had died away, F. L. Cakes,
chairman Of the committee of arrange
ments. introduced the orator Of the oc-
casion. General Secretary P. J. Mcclure
of Philadelphia He began his address
by paying high tribute to the local
nnion for its steady growth in members,
and the sturdy struggle it was making
to Improve the condition Of the carpenters
in Wilmington. He then spoke OF the
antiquity Of labor organizations and de-
clared that though the pyramids Of
Egypt were built by slave labor, yet HER
oglyphics which had been discovered re-
vealedlthe fact that a strong organization
existed among them.
He rapidly sketched how the workman
had evolved, and risen from condition
of slavery and serfdom to his present
comparatively exalted position all through
the medium of labor unions Some he
ayerred, condemned trades unions be-
cause they were foreign institut ions, but
these same critics were inconsistent
enough TO ape British cockneys in their
dress. He compared unions to tine state
and said that they were the only bull
wsrks which the weak could rear TO pro-
teet themselves from the strong.
Iniquitious combinations of capital
raise the price of the necessities of life
and at the same time reduced the wages
of their employees Hence the laborer
was compelled to organize to protect
himself. &c deprecated the impression
that union men were inimieal to the
bosses; On the contrary he said the only
salvation of the honest carpenter was to
unemployed by responsible contractors
and he urged the employers to organize
themselves as protection against I'M
serupulons builders. These irresponsible
fellows would take contract at ruin
iously low figure and then hire the rail-
splitters. who flock to town, to do the
work, thus throwing competent workmen
out of employment.
The orator waxed highly Indignant as
he spoke Of how hod-carriers in many
cities obtained higher wages than the
most oexterous OF carpenters, simply be-
cause ehey are strongly organized. He
complained bitterly of the state of affairs
which resulted ia the unskilled negro
hod-carriers Of Wilmington receiving 81
s day mege in wages than a skillful car
penter could posi- bly, get.
The speaker then pictured the utopian
state OF affairs which would exist after
the adoption Of the nine-hour system. He
said that the bosses would then have
more time to devote to outside matters,
while the mechanic would have an oppor-
tunity for self.impFoyement from which
he is declared now, because Of the long
and exhausting days labor. He urged
the carpenters to appoint a committee to
discuss the matter Of reduction of one
hour in the duration of days work. He
counseled moderation and arbitration.
The first carpenters union was formed
in the Sixteenth Century during the con-
atruction Of the Cathedral at Cologne,
Germany. At that time days labor was
reckoned at fourteen hours and at that
continued until the agitation Of 1915,
when the period of diurnal toll was re-
80 ar.L IT,. 4 u. Il IL
asking Of one hours reduction after forty
five years was unreasonable. If the con
tractor was benefited by reduction
then he would reap richer reward for
concession in this rapid age Of machinery.
II is mistake, he explained, to say that
the union wants poor workman to re-
ceive as good wages as the most skillful
carpenter receives. The union merely
requests that a minimum be fixed below
which none can 90
MIR. Mcguire stated that Washington.
Philadelphia. Baltimore and Chester had
already adopted the nine hour system
and were nearly ripe for the eight-hour
movement. What was successful there
ought to be valuable in Wilmington The
naster-bnilders in session in st. Paul
recently declared for the eight-hour sys-
TEN. In conclusion the orator told Of
the remarkable growth Of his order. 1t
was established in Chicago in 1881 with
~ unions, Now it had $50 unions, about
W, 600 members and had paid out over
$3.50. 600 in sick and death benefits.
Thirty one cities now work under the
eight-hopr system and 900 labor only
nine hours Wilmington must keep UP
with the procession.
After the band had played waltz. Us.
hircheLer Of the Cigar Makers Union
and General Organizer Of the American
Federation of Labor, delivered a ringing
impromptu address, urging the carpen.
tiers to strive earnestly for the nine,hour
system.
The meeting was to have concluded
with speech by j. J Mcclure of Phil
adelphia, but that gentleman got left by
the train and failed to arrive.
The local union is immensely pleased
with .the success of the initial meeting,
and the nine-hour campaign may be con-
] sidered formally opened.
SILVER WEDDING.