Daily Kennebec journal., 1891-09-08

u1 OcEAiL. me hours OF tkDor HaVe 0ief
been shorteneda The employ ment oil
women and children has been placed undel
wise restrictions, the Australian system oi
voting has been adopted and last bnt moi
least the legal holiday, Laccr Day. hsi
been established. 10 ali these ways ths
interests OF the workingmAn have bsef
looked after and evicence has been giver
of q growing appreciation of his great i'm
portAnce to the State both socially and in
dustYially.
To-day the laboring men Of our Stste are
better organized than they have ever been
before. The interchange Of opinions and the
discussion of public questions thus render
ed possible have been in the highest de gree
bsnei fetal to all concerned.
IL is my arm belief that, out OF
this day, set apart in honor Of the
industry Of our State, will come results
that will advance the welfare Of every
workingmsn within its borders. Applause. ]
But my friends / viii not detain you
longer. am glad to be with you upon
this occasion and thank you one and al
for the generous hospitality and cordial
courtesy that have been extended to me.
r Long continued spplause and three cheers
for Governor Burleigh
The other speakers were each very
warmly received, the large audience fire.
quenily cheering them as they proceeded.
We give, 80 far Is we were able to obtain
it. the substance Of what was said by the
different speakers.
Samuel Gompsrs. President OF the
Psdsratiou OF Labor.
Mr.. Gompers spoke earnestly for half
An hour Of the good work already accom-
plished by labor organizations and the
bright outlook for the future. We regret
that we we're unable to obtain full ab-
stract Of his remarks.
Rsprsss ntativs o. B. Cisson Of Gar
diner
was then introduced and spoke as follows:
am pleased to be present at the first cele-
bration Of Labor day since 1t has been made
. legal holiday. II adds new dignity and
character to these annual gatherings to
know ard feel that the State of Maine, de-
liberately and without a dissnting voice in
its Legislative halls. made this. the first
Monday of September, a legal holiday.
The sentiment of Che people Of our State
las EHbUKeu III VA iSbuf
organization during the past few years.
This has bee1 brought about by the labor
ing men themselves. Leaders have come
to the front, of recognized character and
standing, who have the interests Of ihs
lsboring men al heart. They have no
friends TO reward or toes, real or
imaginary, to punish. They appeal to
the reason, not to the passions
of their followers. Education and
intelligence have been their notices, rather
than ignorance and prejudice. The result
IS that every demand made by the recog-
nized leaders Of organized labor will have
great weight, for their demands will be
reasonable and just. This is not q political
gathering. The poll iciau aud demsgogue
have DO mortgages to fors close, no iens
upon the people to enforce. They would be
enrir. " out OF place and not wanted. tits
fitting thar there should be candid aud frank
upon the great economic ques-
tions that are sgiatiug our country from
one end 10 'ha other. An Interchange Of
ideas i, beneficial and he slthy, and it
. ffords the vass throngs th.elisten TO the
thoughts for r, Election and con-
sidersfion. No bigbe, educating power
could be suggested tbAn this. But fellow
cit zens, the bill providing for legal labor
day, vas not the only act passed by the
lAet legisiA ure, that is OF great
importance. One other Law was enacted
that will be of infinite advantage to US as =
state, and of especial importance TO US as
The legislature of Maine has
said that evaiy man, every legal voter, be
be rich or poor, whatever may be his sur
roundirgs, shall have the privilege Of vot-
ing as he see t1t without dictstion, and
without fear. II 10 said that he shall cast
his ballot 10 secret, so that no mortal save
the voter himself. can possibly tell how he
voted. II says in substance, that the clti-
zens Of our grand old State want the major
ity TO rule. They do not care whether that
ms joriiy is one or thousands. All they
want to feel is that the majority, whstever
it may be, represents truihfully and h,n-
c stly the expressions Of the legal voters Of
our State. Under the law Is it will be at
our next election, no voter need fear
that he will suffer any loss by his
vote. All fears OF that kind are removed,
and he can vote absolutely Is he wills.
The beneHcial results of this law are many,
but one, to my mind. stands out prominently,
and that is the educational il fluence it will
exert Every voter will feel that he is not
voting as A. or B. votes, or - they wish
him to vote, but they are voting a. their
own judgment, and conscience dictates.
Bring this responsibility home upon the
Of every mar, and he will endeavor
so to educate himself rs to cast an intelii-
gent vote, one that accords with bis views,
rather than those of others. This one re-
suit alone is unanswersble by the opponents
of The measure, and commends Itself to the
and honesty of all men.
One thing more, one other Law should be
passed ard believe would suppors such
a measure heartily and that is q law with
proper restrictions compelling every voter
to vote at every election, wherheS national,
state or LEGAL. have no patience with q
voter who says that did not vete today
for one reason aud another. This is q gov
ernment Of the people for the people, by
the people ard in order to make this state
ment true esch and every voter should ex-
ercise the right Of the suffrage. 1t is when
all exercise this right that corruption gets
a black eye. 1t is then that the trickster
and the political mAnipulater is relegated
to the rear. Arouse the voters; educate
th. m get them out and We need not fear
q little interest, and light vote, that we
fear the results. The class Of voters that
stay OF home, a. rule, are OF the class
that do their own thinking, and il they had
gone 10 the polls their votes would have
been cast in the Interests Of good govern
ment. The laboring mea of Msine are
coming to the frons. Their influence is in
creAsing year by year. Their Iower is felt.
Tie more intelligent and better educated
they become the stronger will be their
il flusnce Education should be yous
mo to, ard wi h that As g wstchwoGd your
power will ever be felt, ard iishsiy exer-
cised.
esuatcr A, N ep.ar Of 0aIdfnsr.
Senator A. n. Spea. Of Gardiner
thanked the Union for the invitation to
he present on this, the first legal L abor Day
ia the State OF Maine. Ii WAS said by some
one that mary places Of business had fe-
fused to close to ensbie their men to attend
tie esleorsiion of the day. But the vsst
conc. urse Of laborins men Who bad assem-
bIed in the rain. and marched through the
one year from today no. . shop in the State
Wouio pe open ADa tnht every man VINO ue-
sftd vouid be able to participate In the
GELS brstiontf the day.
He said that he demands Of the labofins
men had slvsys been moderate and right.
and that they were 90 WAS proven from the
fact that the legi,lsture had adopted every
demsnd. That agitation in the right direc-
ton had accomplished al past reforms snd
must do tie ssme IN the future. That the
lsbofing men mun know first. thst they are
right, and then press their claim with the
assurance shst tight 10 bound, in the end, to
succeed. He bore witness thas the labor
ing men in their demands for legislation
had been reasonable and couDseiled the