St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-22
The WORLD OF WORK,
Labor Circles Have a Shy at
the St. Paul municipal
Club
Why We're Not All Glasses IN
Yited to Join the 0rgani-
cation?
Past and Future Events Of In
terest to st. Paul Indus
trialites.
Minneapolis Labor Gossip and
the Trades Assembly SEES
sion.

Some comment has been caused in
LABOR circles by the organization of 4
municipal club, whose mission is
claimed to be to renovate the entire
system of municipal government. A
prominent labor leader says: In view
of the fact that in the past number of
the labor people have given this ques-
ton considerable study, it seems to them
that to make this club the success it de-
serves to be. it should be made liberal
and democratic enough to include all
classes in society, even workingmen.
The trouble has been with societies of
this kind that they would be formed on
too exclusive a plan. and thus lose that
essential element of success in the very
beginning. In most cases they degen-
crate into mutual admiration societies
and become too good for their surround
ings. There is no question as to the need
Of q society for the study of the practical
in municipal government. but in order
TO make it effective it should include all
classes. This club that is now being
organized would undoubtedly prove its
claim to existence by asking the labor
organizations to send their representa-
tive members TO its deliberations.
Working people form by far the larger
portion of the community, and are more
dependent upon its good management
than those IN more fortunate circum-
stances. Therefore, they have a greater
interest at stake in seeing that the
municipality is economically and well
governed. The policy of some of our
public societies, and also of their indi-
vlduaI members. has been too narrow
when compared with other cities. and
we are now beginning 10 see the effects
OF such cOuTre. 1t will, however. soon
become manifest that the prosperity of
The city depends more upon the well
being OF its working people than upon
any other cause. When this prin-
clple Is generally recognized many
Of the abuses in government.
both local and national. will disappear.
1t may also be added as another reason
for the existence of liberal municipal
club that in view Of modern appliances
and the complex nature of the govern
ment OF cities 1t is absolutely necessary
that general Intelligence regarding
these matters be dIffused among the
people. Since the labor organizations
reach a constituency numbering among
the thousands, the promoters of this
new club might do well III making their
institution thoroughly democratic"
Miss Eva Mcdonald has received an
Invitation to deliver an address before
The economic conference in Chicago.
The conference is an institution for the
discussion or economic and industrial
questions. 1t is held under the Joint
auspices of the Chicago labor unions
and number of prominent people who
are endeavOTing to arrive at an under
standing OF the present industrial sys-
TEN. The meeting will be held this
evening IN the large Auditorium build
ing, which has a seating capacity of
5000. This afternoon Miss Mcdonald
also speaks before the Chicago trade
and labor assembly on The Relation of
the Farmers Alliance to the Trades
Union Movement"
Among the attractions promised for
the labor lyceum in the near future will
be lecture and exhibition of the Rhiner
voting machine. P. Kirke, the assist
ant superintendent of public instIuc-
ton, Will bring a model of the machine
and hold an election to show it can be
managed. The machine records and
counts votes inStantaneously. tits very
simple IN construction. and vet seems to
MI It's mission admirably. 1t is intend
ed as an adjunct of the Australian svs-
TEN, and has received MANY tlattering
IeStlm0nals from prominent men all
over the country who are interested in
ballot reform. and the lecture and test
OF the machine Will doubtless prove a
matter OF considerable interest to fire.
quenters of the lyceum.
The course of labor legislation is not
running as smoothly as the members of
organized labor would like to see it.
Several members OF the Ramsey delpga-
ton are apparently friendly to working
men men in general. but dislike to
champion particular measures. The
child labor bill referred to last week is
conceded to be R meritOrIous measure.
but the members are a little shy of 90
ing on record as Introducing such a
measure. 1t viii be interesting lust be-
lore next election to hear the same
members assure wOrkingmen Of their
devotion to their interests.