Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-02
Eloquent Labor Day Addresses by
Lawyer. Preacher and Labor
Leaders of Both Sexes,
ATTHE ALLEGHENY PARK MEETING
Men Who Have Risen From the Ranks Talk
to Those Who Are Trying to
Follow After Them.
LEGISLATION NEEDED FOR LAB0RERS.
A. c. Robertson Advocates the Australian Ballot Sys-
TEN and Weekly Wages.


DISPATCH. 1t reached the rendezvous a
u o'clock. As the column arrived at Wes
Park, Allegheny, it passed in review before
the Marshal and aides, and then deboucheo
into the park, passing around the banc
stand, where the speakers of the day had
already taken position. These included
Councilman A. c. Robertson, W. j. Bren
men, ESQ.,, Rev. William Robertson, "Bees
wax Taylor and the presiding officer, John
]. Martin. Among those on the stand were
Mrs Jones, Mrs. Hammett, Miss Lillian
Haller, ladies of the Working Girls Pro-
gressive Union, Colonel Wyatt. Messrs
Thompson, McMurray, Hughes, Smythe
and others.
Chairman Martin announced that the
members of Typographical Union No. Z,
having to report for duty at 2 o'clock, could
not remain. The union then marched to
/ the Armstrong monument to the strains
of "Annie Laurie" and decorated it with
flowers, each man depositing his bouquet at
the feet OF the well-beloved labor leader or
placing his contribution on the monument
where his fancy dictated. Cal Wyatt was
called upon to make a few remarks appro-
pirate to the occasion, but contented with
saving: Gentlemen, the time Is too short
for any lengthy remarks. You will under
stand me when 1 say that (pointing to the
statue) an honest man is the noblest work
of God"
Meanwhile, at the band stand, the AL
toona Band played Verdi's "Sicilian Yes
pers," rendering it in an excellent manner.
The Rev. William Robertson, OF Allegheny,
offered up a prayer, in which be called
down blessing upon the work of labor or
ganizations.
CAUSE FOR PRIDE.
Chairman John J. Martin, in his opening
address, said that everyone would feel
proud of the magnificent demonstration
which was held that day. In other sections
of the country there would be similar
demonstrations, but Pittsburg and Allie
gheny need not be ashamed Of her parade in
honor of the day. He said that at
various epochs in history patriotic occa-
sions had marked out special days for
observance, such as Independence Day.
Emancipation Day and others. But Labor
Day was as fitted to be commemorated as
any others; marking as it did the onward
march of an army of construction, instead of
the army of destruction, which heretofore
had left its mark on the time. He compli-
mented the ex-employes of the Westing-
house Company on their splendid turn out,
and expressed an opinion that il they would
but be true to one another they would ul-
timately obtain their demands. He then
introduced w. J. Bremen, Esq, as a man
who had once been a manual worker, who
had risen by his ability to the position he
now occupied. Mr.. Bremen said:
"Fellow workmen and laborers; II is i'm
material 1t seems true, whether it is by in
side labor-as represented by mental work
or by outside labor as exemplifed in
manual toll, that a man earns his bread;
SO long as he does so honestly he Is still one
of that vast army of laborers, and as such 1
am asked to address you to-day and have
to uncover to this audience as representing
those who, recognizing their title to a share
of the earth, are also entitled to demand a
fair share of the product. Labor has taken
a step in advance when it has taken
measures to secure full measure and need
OF reward for its toll.
WHAT IT REPRESENTED.
s'This parade in which you have tax en-
part to-day, may not represent all working
men, but it does all the intelligent people
among that class who are in the advance
guard and form the pioneers of all success
full movements. There are always people
who will hang back while their fellows push
forward and withstand the brunt OF the bat
tie, and then, when the victory is won,
creep in and ask for the privilege of partak-
ing of the spoils. To such work the con-
summation of this days demonstration
should be lesson, and an incentive to fol-
low in the stems where organized labor
leads"
Mr.. Bremen regretted that P. J. Mcclure
was not present to tell them of the progress
made in the eight-hour movement by the
carpenters and joiners. They had initiated
the eight-nour campaign, and other trades
who had since moved Tor shorter hours
should always remember that they owed
debt of gratitude to them for the bold fight
thev had inaugurated, and now, Mr.. Bren-
men said, that the man who got his wealth
by the hard labor of his fellow citizens
should be the last man to resist the fair de-
mands of his employees. He said that
no man owed so much to labor as George
Westinghouse, and yet on the first occasion
of their asking demand in common with
the rest OF their trade, he, alone of all tine
employers, keeps his men on a prolonged
strike. He said that Mr.. Westinghouse
should put tablet over his building with
the legend: "This building was built by
public bounty and ruined by private
greed"
THE NEW YORK STRIKE.
Mr.. Bremen referred to the New York
strike, and to Mr.. Webb as man who had
obtained his wealth by, marrying it, and
should be one of the last men to resist the
demands of his employees for fair and equit-
able treatment at his hands. This man pre-
tended to overlook organized labor, and
wanted to use subterfuge By putting his
wits against those of his apprentices when
he said that he would treat with his
by when organized labor could be treated
in this manner, and it was proper
that such men as Webb should be brought
down to their proper level. Labor and cap
ital were united by inseparable bonds and
the day was rapidly approaching when the
great industrial democracy would make its
| own terms TOR fair share of the wealth it
earned. He hoped that next Labor Day he
would see every workingman in Allegheny
| county walking in parade and show that
they were united in their demands for their
rights. and secure them.
The next speaker was the Hon. A. c.
Robertson, who was introduced by the
Chairman as another man who had known
what hard work was in his early days, spent
before fiery furnace. Mr.. Robertson said
the Labor Day parade showed that labor
was united in regaining the birthright