The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-14
WAGE WORKERS MEETING
The Helena Trades and Labor As
sembly Hold an Interesting
g.. Session.

The Organization is Now in a
Strong and Healthy Con-
dition.
The BARRIERS Union Sends Delegates-Reso.
buttons Adopted-The Retiring Ad-
dress OF President Weber.
An interesting and we'll attended meeting
of the Helena Trades and Labor Assembly
was held yesterday in the Union block, foot
of Broadway. The Barber's union of this
city sent delegates to the assembly for the
first time. The following resolutions were
adopted:
Resolved, That home industries, home
labor and home merchants are entitled to
the patronage of our citizens and shoulo
have preference over others, thereby
rocally helping employers and employees:
Resolved, That "cheap Chinese labor" 10
an injury to the frugal American workman
and should be zealously let alone by him as
q measure of self protection.
Mr.. A. II. Weber, the retiring president.
then delivered his address. He said:
Gentlemen: Believing that every officer
taking an active part in this association
should before retiring from his position
make report of his doings while in office.
together with such suggestions as he thinks
will be of benefit to the organization, take
this opportunity of saying few words be-
fore giving place to my successor. con-
the successful Inauguration OF this assem-
bly,. It is the longest step yet taken IN the
right direction, and its results must be of
great benefit to all who work for living
When its workings become better known
and understood by the members OF the OH,
ferent unions represented the assembly WALL
become stronger and more interest will be
manifested in it than in the past. Many
who would like to visit with us are under
the impression that we are secret body
and allow no visitors. This is mistake.
An interest should be created in the assem-
bly, among the members of the different
unions. Invitations should be extended by
organizations to be present at our meetings
and in that way familiarize themselves with
what we are doing.
You all, or most of you, remember that
We met for the first time in April last for
the purpose Of forming trades assembly.
None of you knew exactly how to proceed,
but finally 9 permanent organization was
and the present officers of the assembly
elected. Knowing we had but short time
to serve, and believing if we succeeded in
getting in good working order by the end
of our term We would be accomplishing q
great deal. I, as an individual member,
made no particular effort to bring forward
any new work, devoting my time to
cessions to our ranks. For these reasons
neglected to appoint several committees
required by our constitution, believing it
better to turn over the assembly to our
SUCCESSORS in strong, healthy, smooth
working condition, with but little un-
finished work, rather than have our hands
full of incompleted business and the as
sembly imperfeotly organized. It remains
for those who take our place to-day to say
whether we did right or not. At this meeting
l believe there are eight or nine organiza-
tions represented, gain of two or three IN
two months. This should be cause for
qualification. think the individual mem
bers of this assembly car use their efforts
and energy in no better direction than to
increase the membership of their own organ
izations and do all they can to induce unor-
ganized trades to organize until every trade
and occupation is represented in this assem-
bly,.
made several efforts to organize the
grocery clerks, but regret to say there was
ing to that end. While the grocery clerks
were thinking about organizing. the dry
goods clerks formed what is now known as
the "Salesmen's Union" lent them what
little assistance could, and am glad to say
the union is in good working order and now
represented here. After the Salesnen's
union was organized again met with some
tions from the assembly for the purpose of
forming union. There being SO few present
and knowing the salesmen's union would
receive applications from all statesmen l ad-
vised them to join that union, which they
agreed to do. l also visited the BARRIERS
union, in company with Delegates Lorey,
Corbett and Douglass, and explained to
them the workings Of the assembly, and ad,
vising them to send delegates. They gave
us assurances that they would consider the
matter, and thought it proboble they would
be represented at this meeting. I am
pleased to see their delegates here to-day
and hope they will find it to their interest
to aid in the grand work before us. You
| all remember what a strong effort was made
by the clothing clerks, backed by the press
the clergy and public opinion, to Gloss
Der how they failed. When the clerks had
lost all hope of securing their rights the as
sembly was asked to take hold of the matter
Within twenty-four hours after the ques
l
won the victory for which they had 80 lon1
labored and now have all they asked for
and proprietors and clerks feel grateful TO
our interference. Another matter IN con
nection with the closing movement Nigh
be mentioned, the assistance We rendered
the dry goods clerks in keeping closed dr..
goods stores after 6 p. M, without whicl
they probably would not have succeeded.
Before closing I cannot refrain from
Offering a few suggestions and thought
that have presented themselves to my min
as to the policy of trades assemblies, a
we'll as all labor organizations. While d
not believe we can ask for more than we ar
entitled to, have always thought 1t tn
better policy to demand only what We ha
good reason to think we could obtain.
am aware there are times whe
prompt and radical measure
achieve victories, when conservativ
action would result in failure. But as
general thing conservative policy wi
achieve more and be the more successful i
the end. One great danger in organiza
tions of this kind is that very often me
get into them who, by their enthusiasm
zeal and anxiety to do something, yer
often expend their energy and time in al
tempting to do things watch, when the
have gained their object, the result is of n
benefit to the class for whom they thin
thew have have been working. Apply YOU
efforts in a direction that will show results
Make every move count. In the the word
of Dayey Crockett, "Be sure you are riRf
and then 90 ahead,s and / have every cont
dence that before the end of the secon
session of the Helena Trades and Labl
assembly we will have cause to thank thOl