St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-24
In the Game of Public Econo-
mics Known as Public
Politics.
A Characteristic Epistle Re-
ceived From Congress-
man Snider.
Preparations for the Proper
Observance Of Labor Day
on September 1.
Organization Informa ton
and a General Discussion
by Labor.

The independent NOV ement was
tarted Thursday evening at meeting
called by the executive committee OF
she Municipal Reform Ct ub. Eighteen
organizations were represented by
three or four apiece of their most active
members. Frank Valesh was elected
president. and J. Nebinger secretary.
A report was read from S. M. Oven, the
Farmers Alliance candidate, stating
that he fully approx ed of the form of
organization. and hoped that the work
would be pushed so as to poll as large
an independent vote as possible. The
Alliance platform was read, and it is
certain that the Alliance state ticket is
perfectly satisfactory. The following
executive committee was appointed: j.
Murphy, S. Brown. Frank Valesh. }.
Enwright, j. Nebinger, Edwin Fisher
and S. White. The duty of this CON-
mittee shall be to took over the local
field, and. as soon as possible, call an
other meeting of the club to decide
whether an independent legislative and
county ticket shall be nominated. The
membership of the club is at present
dependent proclivitieS. There IS, OF
course, some difference of opinion as
to whether or not full independent
ticket should be put up. The Republl-
cans and the ''Reform'' Democracy
seem very much interested in tie prob
able course of the club, and have EN-
deavored to arrange for a conference.
They, however, meet with little en-
enlargement.
The governor of Kansas has just is
sued a proclamation making Labor day
a legal holiday in that state, because or
ganized labor desired it. 1t seems pity
that the common council OF st. Paul.
could not have been given similar Op
portunity, and thus ALLOW the whole III
dustrial population to have fitting Gel
ebration on its only real holiday In the
year. AS it is, nearly all trades are cir
culating petitions asking employers to
close shops, factories and mills on that
day. and the response is general enough
to warrant the belief that the same re-
suit would have been accomplished
with much less trouble had the mayor
been asked to issue a proclamation
making Labor day legal holiday.
The stonecutters are going into poll
ties this fall; not as a union, but each
individual member proposes to put in
his spare time persuading his friends to
vote against Merriam. The reason is
this: Several bosses in the city are en-
blowing scabs. while others employ only
union men. The union men would, nat
urally, like to see their employers the
successful bidders on all large con-
tracts. Before the bids for stone work
on the Merchants National bank were
opened a delegation of stonecutters
accompanied by State Statistican Lamb
/ waited on his excellency. who is con-
ton, and explained the situation of the
stonecutters. They asked no undue adj
vantage. but urged that the bids put in
bv union bosses be given special at
attention, and, if possible. one of them
accepted because union stonecutters
are skilled men and would do the work
better. They are also taxpayers, and
would spend their wages III the city,
while the scabs are nOn-reSldentS ana
have not the skill of men who serve
several years. apprenticeship. Gov.
Merriam listened attentively to the ar
guments, smiled, and promised to give
the matter special attention, saying that
he thought union men were entitled TO
the work. The job was let to scab
contractor, and the commute found, on
Investigation, that Merriam knew VINO
was to receive the contract at the time
he was promising so pleasantly to aid
union men. The Stonecutters say that
they wouldn't care if the governor had
frankly told them that he couldn't or
wouldn't do anything for them; no
further attention would have been paid
to the matter. But the StOnecutterS feel
that they have been badly deceived, and
will retaliate at the polls.
There is a movement on foot to Or
ganiZe the street laborerS. Many OF
them are beginning to take an interest
in matters industrial, and wish to use
their two hours of acquired leisure
daily in building up an organization to
protect their interests and also Tor gem
eral educational purposes.
The Bakers union complains that
MANY shops. where journeymen work
are in bad sanitary condition. They
| think these places have escaped the
eagle eye Of the inspector. but feel
assured from his recent courteous mes
| sage that ne will thoroughly inyesti-
yate the matter as soon as the griev-
| ance committee of the trade and labor
assembly furnishes list of the places.
The New York Central strike forms
| an interesting topic of conversation in
| labor circles, and especially among the
railway organizations. All branches of
railroad employees are thoroughly or
ganized IN Minnesota, and usually have
grievances settled without needing to
resort to a strike. The coming confer
| ence of all branches to be held at labor
! headquarters Sunday, Aug. 81, is of spe
| cial Importance. 1t is certain that a
| closer union will be effected among the
| different branches. and there are whis
pers of important matters to be settled
within the coming three months be-
| tween the companies and employees.
! The presumption is, however, that they
| will be settled in the same amicabie