Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-04-24
LABORERS' MASS MEETING
Held Last Evening at J. M.
Blaine's Store Building on
Harris Avenue
A Large Number of Speeches
Denouncing the Compul-
sorry Boarding System
Resolutions Submitted and Car
ried and a Committee of
Three Appointed


in j. NJ. Blaine's old store building las
night in response to a call for mas
meeting published in the HERALD yester
nay morning. Before the meeting wa,
called to order considerable comment fav.
| orable and otherwise was INDUCED in by
those who had gathered, on the action Of
| the city council, in not prohibiting con
tractors from keeping a boarding house
The fact that the council had expressed
itself emphatically aud passed resolutions
prohibiting the system Of compelling en-
plOyes to board at contractors boarding
hodses, did not seem to cut any figure
with those present They demanded that
they should not be allowed to own a
boarding house. This was the main topic
Of discussion and every speaker used this
as his subject.
The meeting was called to order by
William COtterill, who as a member Of the
committee appointed at a previous meet
ing to submit the resolutions published I'm
the HERALD last Sunday TO the council,
said that the report Of the committee
could be found in the HERALD of yester-
day morning. He then instructed the sec 70
the council and also the remarks made by
Mayor Wilson and Councilman Donovan
The report OF the committed was ac-
cepted and the committee was discharged
from further duty.
Mr.. Stebbns being called upon, said
that he thought the resolutions passed
covered all the ground. They were in
accordance with the sentiments Of the
meeting held Thursday OF last week. The
only persons he had heard who spoke de-
rogatOry of the meeting was few inter
rOgatiOn points who considered them
selves better than anybody else, and a
wOrklngman In particular. The council,
however, seemed to be composed of gen
tlemen who shaped their course in accord
ance with the wishes Of the people who
elected them.
Mr.. Fitzgerald was not suited with the
resolution pertaining TO boarding houses.
He claimed the right to board wherever
he pleased. 1t was not privilege, it
was q right. Cheers.
Webster thought that the sentence,
contractors shall not dictate the boarding
place Of parties on the work, covered the
ground.
Fitzgerald contended that the moment
a contractor put up shack, II was AN in
timatiOn that employees must board there
or find work elsewhere.
Councilman Kingdom, who was pres
flls was Nhllfu uIDl lbI ltN ItUldIhN,
and he said that he did not come for the
purpose of making a speech, but for the
purpose OF listening Taking up the res
Olutions, Mr.. Kingdom said the first one
passed by the council was exactly the
same as had been submitted by the
workiugmen's committee. The third was
the same with exception Of the matter Of
hospital dues. Many laboring men had
expressed themselves tn favor of the pay
ment Of dues, and the council concluded
TO allow IL to remain.
Webster asked what right a contractor
who did not own a hospital had TO collect
dues?
Kingdom replied that contractors had
made arrangements with the hospital q
care for all their sick and injured. The
fifth resolution, relative TO employment
agencies, was practically what had been
asked for. The second resolution, rela.
| tive to boarding houses, was as strong anC
went as far as the law permitted. The
council had been advised that an absolute
| prohibitOry clause fOrbidding contractors
| from owning or controlling boarding
houses would be Illegal. All contract,
now iR progress were awarded by the ole
council and the present council was pow
eriess TO remedy any evils that existed
| He promised that as member OF tn,
council his vote and influence wouit
always be found in favor Of the resolu
| tions passed by the council and published
in the HERALD. Every provision will b,
| Incorporated in all future contracts
printed forms Of which are being made
| Mr.. Kingdom closed by referring to th
| statement prepared by the city clerk anC
published In the HERALD, and stated tha
| II the bonds failed 20 carry all publ
work would be stopped, and II they wer
voted improvements would be startet
that would give the laboriDg man en-
| ,.lnupnnpf Euary tod In, . A.,
future, and who owns property in tn
city should votefor the bonds.
| Clark remarked that contractors tTeate
men like dogs. Rather than board a
their boarding house he would starve 0
go on the bum.
An auditor from the rear Of the hal
asked why the council did not take actio
on a petition involving the same question
presented some time ago. The petitio
had been referred TO the judiciary com
mittee, and the questiOner thought ha
been consigned by 1t TO the waste baske
Kinghorn said he did not wish to evad
any responsibility, that he was chairma
OF the judiciary committee. The preser
council had not awarded any contract
therefore the matter had not been consid
cred, but would have been, Il occasio
called for II.
CottreIl said he was member Of tf
committee presenting the petition, an
had watched the HERALD TO see whg
would be done with IL. He finally aske
Kingdom regarding 1t, and was informe
by him that the demands made were ur
constitutional.
Webster said that as the sense of tl
meeting seemed TO favor the reinstat,
ment of the four words relative TO cor
tractors owning boarding houses, take
out by the city council, he would mo,
that they be inserted. The motion WI
seconded by half dozen, and was car
ried unanimously.
Bridges remarked that the matter mu
. be extremely urgent and important
bring so many to the meeting. II ti
council had the power TO prohibit cor
tractors from debating TO men whe-
they should board, he thought they cou
prohibit him from owning or controiiir
boarding house. He conended that re
oiutfons were Ineffective, aud that u
council should pass an ordinance EN- bod
Ing the resolutions. II looked too muC
| like lodging the issue.
J OMr. o. +. Culver, editor OF the Worl
was called upon and said that he came
hear and not to be heard. He express,
his opinions by another mode He hf
written an article on the subject whiC
they all could read. He was ia sympatl
with the movement and with the deman,
made, but deprecated all threats a.
thought they we're III advised The coul
ell had gone as far as the law pefmitte
and even If the resolutions as present,