The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-08-17
TRADE FEDERATION.
President Mellor Opens the Thir-
tenth Annual Convention
at Paterson.
speeial 70 iAe Jer.sg ca Ne.g..

PATERSON, August, IL. 1s91.-The
Trades Assemblies Of New Jersey began
their thirteenth annual session here to-
day. Thus far only the routine business
of organization has been completed.
Samuel Mellor. Jr., President OF the
Federation Of Trades, made an extended
and excellent address, in the course OF
which ne said:-
aFor the thirteenth time the New Jer-
sey Federation of Trades is met In an
nual session, and it Is my pleasant privi-
lege to greet you as delegates represent
log the trade industries OF our State.
Our last annual session was Que OF un-
usual interest. and tue orderly and bust
nessllke manner In which the work was
done, won for the organization praise
and respect from every section OF n
State. Upon You, delegates, devolves the
important duty of further advancing the
movement by a conservative and wise
Improvement of our present laws. and
be desirable for the promotion of our
common interests. The growth of the
Federation Of Labor, both National and
State. and it's present condition. are most
gratifying, and augur for successful egls-
Iation upon those questions which are OF
vital interest TO us-snorter hours, higher
2 and employment for all
sin no cisy ID New Jersey has more
been accomplished for the toiling masses
than in the city in which we are met to-
day. Paterson Is recognized as being
the foremost in the labor movement-so
much so that It is looked upon and point
ed to with pride by those less fortunate.
aud who are still struggling for relief
from oppression born of the darker ages,
when work people counted for nothin g Ia
the consideration Of social and econo mic
questions.
PARTIES.
IF / understand the workings OF the
Federation. one of its principal objects Is
to secure State legislation benedtiuR not
only those affiliated with II. but all
classes. That being the case. we should
meet with friends In both political parties
While | am aware that nothing OF a polit-
ical nature can come before your body,
yef there should be some means OF max
ing you aware OF the attitude OF some OF
those who seek your votes. One OF the
greatest weaknesses we have today Is
continually electihg men 60 office who
have not nor perhaps ever will vote for
or advocate a single measure we might
Introduce. II we desire to make our
selyes felt we must devise means
whereby we can have a record
of all such. and when oppor-
tunity affords, defeat them We
want men elected VINO are not
hruhllGA VI tAEAA
when they see a just labor bill. Will WORK
aud vote for it; men who. when they
know our bills are being smothered in
committee, are not afraid to call them
out; men who viii amend our measures
when necessary In order to make Them
passabie: men who, when representatives
of labor organizations wait upon them,
will treat them with respect; men VINO
are not afraid 10 speak their minds at all
times, on all bills, whether 1t meets the
approval OF those higher in authority or
NOT. and vote accordingly; men who, ry
their votes and acts. after having ended
their term. can say they were the friends
of the laboring classes. Let us go over
the record of the people who have repre-
sented us in the past and ask ourselves
before casting our ballot II they are
worthy of further support from us; II
that is done | am sure we VIII go a long
way towards making ourselves WnHJ we
ought to be-a power.
Mr.. Mellon then gave a brief but inter
esuing resume OF the work accomplished
by the Fe grafton In this State.
THE PUBLICATION OF THE LAWS.
"If the present method Of publishing
the laws is TO be continued, some changes
in the manner of designating the news
papers would seem to be demanded, us
the present system has raised up q parti-
san board. Instead of seeking to reward
individuals for personal and party serv-
ices, and thus virtually creating a subsl-
died press-Lhan which no greater evil
could befall a free State-the matter
should be looked at from q purely bust.
ness standpoint, the same as a shrewd
merchant or manufacturer would were
he about to advertise his wares or pro-
nucts. AS now managed, obscure sheets
of no standing and little circulation are
placed upon an equality with those of ac-
knowledged worth and infuence-the
idea-moulders of the community and the
fearless denunciators of every form OF
social and political wrong-doing-all
which is unworthy a great State like New
Jersey, aud must inevitably lead TO cor
ruptien and decentralization"
He paid a deserved compliment to the
public schools, and advocated The early
closing of stores. The finances OF the
order are in excellent condition.