The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-08
SPEECHES ON LABOR TOPICS.
Senator Kinnear and MT. Lewis on the
Struggles of TOi1ers.

About o clock w. G.. Armstrong, grand mar
shall of the day, mounted the speakers platform,
and in Il brief speech welcomed all those who
joined with the labor organizations in the gen.
eral celebration. He said that he considered it
the greatest of all holidays, and but a few years
ago man would be scoffed at for suggesting
such day. Said he:
1t shows the progress labor organizations have
made. Capital has been grinding workiugmen
down 10 the life limit, and there is no way TO
stop 1t except by organization and education in
the school-Ioom. Labor unionism means self
sacrifice by the strong in the interest of the
weak. We have but TO look back 10 the miners
struggle TO see the necessity for organiZation-to
notice the inequality of masters and servants
before the law
Mr. Armstrong then introduced Senator j. R.
Kinnear, who spoke substantially as follows:
On last Thursday evening received an invi-
tation from the Labor day committee to address
you. have had no time for preparation, but il
was intended that should speak briefly to show
the sympathy have felt in measure re ating TO
your interest which came before the legislature
l believe IL the organization of the working
men. AT the request OF the Western Central
Labor Union introduced "a BIZ in the last legis-
lature making Labor day legal holiday. Ii be-
came law and believe it will soon become
national no .idsy. In commemoration of the
loyalty OF our Union soldiers, we celebrate Dec
Grafton day and there is every reason why Labor
day should be lebrated in like manner in
honor OF the working people of our country.
] am pretty well acquainted with the leading
men IN your organization, and i believe they
have invited me here because took a sincere
interest in the labor laws. | assisted the miners
in preparing bill relating to their protection
IN the mining industry, ana forced il through
the legislature. Another thing in which | in
terestef myself was the Australian ballot sys-
TEN. did IL at the solicitation of the labor
organizations and IL is due 10 their efforts that
the bill became law. | be ieye that this is one
OF the greatest measures that was ever passed
in this state. Before that law was enacted men
were led 10 the polls anu voted according to the
dictates OF the ward heelers. Now the working
peop.e have II IN their power 10 east a secret
ballot and know that Z Is counted. The regis
tTation law and primary elections bill were ad-
yocsted by the Western Central Labor Union.
he anti-PinAerton o-lI was prepared by me
and fought through and supposed il would be
come Il law, but the acting governor vetoed il
after the legislature had adjourned. The eight
hour bill passed the House AID was defeated in
the Senate by majority of one vote. | think
this bill aud the antl-P inkerton bill Will De
come laws at the next session OF the legi stature
simply refer 10 those bills to show nv interest
in the movement and explain the motive of the
committee in inviting me here / thank them
tor the consideration.
At the conclusion of senator hinnear's speech
James Hamilton Lewis, whose address was TO
follow, had not put in an appearance, so the
athletic sports were resumed. About an hour
later Mr.. Lewis arrived and as the wind had
risen 10 Il stiff gale down on the Hat where the
Sneakers stand was located, making il impossi-
be for the crowd to hear, he was introduced
from the seat on the edge of the dancing plat
form and spoke briefly follows, cutting his
speech short on account OF the disagreeableness
OF the weather:
When your committee came TO me and sole
iteI me TO address you. il was late yesterday
afternoon. / had been out of the city and had
missed them. | very reluctant 10 accept
the invitation, and so told them. / explained
To them thar was still a member of that ex-
communicated class known as the lawyers, aud
that their rules placed me in the class with the
saloon men and gamblers, bauAerS sud lawyers
! further 10 q them that amid my other slns IL
Wa, charged against me that was Il politician,
and Democratic politician. But the commit
tee insisted that these offeuses you had con
dOned. and that ! would be protected 30 | am
here. Here TO speak 70 you as your friend and
adviser; 10 SPEAK 10 You - your guest would al
your banquet table, freely and sincerely.
From my heart congratulate you upon this
majestic display, upon your appearance through
the lhoFoughfares Of the great city. cannot
Tell you too strongly that your organization,
your purpose, your Lawful assemolage here,
iuds greeting in the hearts OF ali good people,
and the measures adopted for your happiness
this Labor day, this day of your pleasure AID
communion, Is heralded with ''God-speed from
the lips OF those WHO see and feel.
What eau bring you nearer u home, deareT 70
mother ana vile, and closer 20 heavcn, than the
scene which moves and shifts about you and
anlmatgs Us all.
have been requested by the committee 20
give Won = sketch Oi the history Of Labor day.
The reign of Augustus Cesar. a young mAn by
the name 81 L~pldus, - nlDcr OF the Roman
tribunal 81 the lns;ance OF the great FompeY,
introduced measure 10 the Roman legislature
looking 10 the announcing OF annual day
u which the quarry slaves slang the Tther
and the slave soldiers OF the command OF Ma
riuS could parade the Via del IoTso. his
good measure went down. Clceros invectiVe
against II, as being Of the IatllLnae conspiracy,
to ally the people against the senate, was too