The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-02
uNIoN MAss-MRErING.
a Jubilee Over Past and Present Vic
tories.

A Jubilee Over Past and Present Vic
tories.
An American flag with golden stars adorned
the platform of The Metropolitan Temple when
President Thurman ana lie officers OF the C0un-
ell OF Federated Trades took their places TO vel
come the large audience that had assembled TO
celebrate the victories that organized Tabor has
won on many May days ana 10 gather inspiration
for cunning conflicts. little band of women,
representing the Shoe-huers' Union, occupied
seats 10 the right OF the central aisle and dyed
in-the-wOOl union band discussed music.
President Thurman opened MS address with an
aliusioR 10 Tie universal movement toward re-
ductiOn OF Tie hours of labor. Workingmen
throughout the world, he declared, are in spirit
with a comprehension OF the necessity Of reduc-
ing the working hours. The laborer is fast leai
ing that knowledge is power, aud he has already
learned that ne cannot obtain knowledge with
out leisure. No Que who labOrs from fourteen TO
sixteen hours per day can improve his mind
The Oyerworked tOiieI fOrgeLS his WEAKNESS in
drink, and at last lays down the burden OF his
misery in an untimelY grave. Hs sinks 10 the
level OF The brute aud meaaces the liberty and In
sttulions OF this country. Alasi that statesmen
canuOt see that tie upper stories OF the republic
Will totter unless the foundation OF wOrkiugmen
is sound.
III was the Ignorance and wretchedness of the
masses OF the Old republics" said The speaker,
THAT brought them down; and IN order that this
fate may not oVertake our grand republic let US
bend all our energies TO secure for ourselves The
enlightenment that Is our right and the safe
guard OF The nation"
turning 10 tile women present President
EuhTman declared that The labor organizations
were The first 10 recognize the rights OF women
by demanding that they should have equal
wages with men for equal work.
Herman Gutstadt told the story OF the struggle
for reduction of working hours throughout the
world. He believed that the time would soon
come when The man who worked more than
eight hours per Gay would be The exception
inst ad OF the rule. He stated that the miners
throughout the country would have struck for
eight hours yesterday had they not been divided
by internal dissensions- Instead OF causing
reduction OF wages, he believed that it would
cause the compensation OF labor TO advance,
and referred 10 The cigar-makers as an example.
Where they have obtained a reduction OF hours
their wages have been Increased.
J.. j, Cannon congratulated his hearers on
their residence IN q country that has declared
that eight hours shall constitute a legal days
work. But IL had been whispered, he said. that
men working for the HaTbOr Commissioners are
working nine hours a day. For this state or
affairs, not the lawmakers are responsible, but
The men WHO elected the lawmakers They are
also responsible for the election OF millionaire
thieves 10 the United States Senate.
Albert Curtin, editor OF The NOiks Zeitung
meeting, arguing that The misery thai exists
among the working classes is due 10 their igHo-
rance and corruption. They must be eniight-
ened before they advance and they must have
leisure before they can learn. II gave The rea
sons for the boycotls that have been declared
against Duasmuir. Davis aud Hesterfeld, aud
urged his hearers 10 stand together until these
men succumbed 20 the unions.
The speakers were literally applauded, and
every allusiOn to The victories recently won by
organized labor was cheered 10 The echo.