Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-10-16
WORKINGMEN CELEBRATE
THE PARADE AND MEETING
LAST NIGHT.
Members of the Labor OrRaniza-
ttOns Of AshevIlle Have a Big
TOrchlight Procession and Good
Speeches I'm the Court ROusc.

1t was the celebration of the first ami
versary of the establishment OF the nine
hour working day in the CITY.
About 7 O'Clock the members et the va
rious labor organizations of the city be
gan gathering about the hall over Car
mchaels drug store on South Mar
street. Torches were there given tc
those who were to join the parade.
The street was crowded by people who
had come up to see the workingmer
move of, and little before 8 O'Clock the
procession started, amid the cheers o.
the large crowd.
The column was headed by George A
Parker, president of the Carpenters and
Joiners' union, and Owens drum corps
The organizations were placed in the fol
lowing order:
Carpenters and Joiners' union.
Brickmasons union.
Typographical union.
Plasterers union.
Painters union.
Plumbers union.
| Knights of Labor.
Unorganized labor.
Among the transparencies in the pro.
cession were these: celebration of the
nine-hour compromise" I'VE rock the
cradle and rule the world" Plumbers
and painters are with US.
The line of march was as follows
Down South Main to Church street
up Church street, to Patton ave
nue.; Patton avenue to Court place
North Main street to Merrinon avenue
N, rrimon avenue to Chestnut street
Chestnut to Charlotte, and then follow
ing the street car line over Woodfin, Oak
and College streets, to northeast court
place, and to the court house.
When the crowd had entered the cour,
house, President Parker called the meet
ing to order.
SOOO opening Speecn.
Col. Reuben McBrayer was then called
The Colonel said in opening that
one thing he felt sure of, and that
was that he would occupy as much room
or the stand as any man who woult
follow him. He had hoped some of tho
other speakers would be called on first
so that they might suggest his speech tc
him. but as this had not been done, ther,
were few things lie did want to say
and the first was that labor had perfcc
right to organize for its own benefit anc
protection. No one would deny that
And how could they DENY it ? Did no
the lawyers, the doctors, the preachers
and all the professions have their organ
izations? Then why not the laborers?
And Col. McBrayer wanted to sa,
that he was in favor of the increase O
factories and every kind Of industry em
ploying labor in Asheville. The laboriu,
or middle class constituted the strength
and stability ofevery community. Whel
the laborers of Asheville could not max
living for themselves and families, Col
McBrayer said he was going to leave,
he had money enough to leave with.
Col McBrayer advised the laborers t,
make their organizations honorabl
bodies, for the upbuilding and elevation
of labor. There should he no conflict be
tween capital and labor. The two wer
dependent upon each other. Capita
could not get along without labor an
more than labor could get along withou
capital. He had been told since comm
to the court house that a gentleman ha
said he did not want to see a factor
built in Asheville, but wanted it to r,
: main the horne of the rich men. Whe
that was so, said the Colonel, when ric
men alone lived in Asheville, and the Ii
borers had no chance. then indeed woul
it be the time for himself and man
Others to take up their little budget an
t go some where else.
r Col. McBrayer said that he thought
was generally conceded that there wa
as little use for a lawyer as any 9th,
profession, but there were times whe
you wanted one and you wanted hi
II udu. n HCNS1 WtHlSu d upClt
while he was well, but when he got sic
the doctor was the first man he callS
for-he wanted him to come quick ar
the near way. All professions and ca
ings were useful and necessary, but II
great middle class was the most conser
ative and helpful to any community.
Some one had asked him it he intend,
to send his children to the public schoc
when he came to Asheville, and had su
R, gested that he would better not, as tn,
r would come in contact with all sorts
y people there. He had answered that
intended 10 send his children to the pu
lie school as long as he could, and as f
coming in contact with all kinds of pc
I pie, that was one thing he wanted
children to find out, that there were
ferent kinds of people in this world, al
that they all had right to be here.
Col McBrayer said he did not like the
dudes with tight breeches-nething ma
= him madder than to see one. He liked
/ man, but dude-never,
1Ir. Kerr's Talk.
p. Kerr was next called. Mr.. he
said that nothing could have Undue
him to appear before that audience
speak but the respect he had for the
boring men. Said he had never attem
ted to make speech but once befol
and that was a few weeks since when
, had been jumped upon concerning t
ten.ceut fare, and without fully realizi