The Irish standard., 1892-05-21
UNION PRINTERS HOME.

UNION PRINTERS HOME.
Thursday, May 10, was redletter day
in the history of printing in America, for
on that day was dedicated a home for
union printers at Colorado Springs, COL,
the first building of the kind ever erected
in any country for labor organization.
In 1886 George W. Childs and A. j.
Drexel, of Philadelphia, gave a joint
check for $4,000 to the International
Typographical Union to start fund to
build home for veteran printers who
had grown old and infirm at the case
To increase the fund, every union printer
east of the Mississippi contributed the
price of 1OO0 ems on May IL, the ami
versary Of the birth Of Mr.. Childs, and
on September IA, the birthday of Mr..
Drexel, like sum was donated by all
union men west of the river. The fund
grew to $751; 900, and the result is a noble
building five stories high and capable of
accommodating 200 inmates. The spa
cious grounds surrounding the Home are
the gift Of the enterprising citizens of
Colorado Springs. No more beautiful
site could be selected. Mr.. Childs, the
generous man who has won the affection
of the craft by his munifcence, was pres
ent at the dedication, but Mr.. Drexel was
unavoidably absent. The event of the
day was the brief address of Mr.. Childs,
in which he said that the printers
unions have not only spread the light of
education and reason over this vast con-
tinent, but have given to labor higher
dignity, a broader independence and all
those qualities which render it of great
est worth. Gov. Routt, Of Colorado, de-
livered an address in which he paid the
following tribute to the printers: The
printer; yes, we honor him. He has
given us all we read in literature, in his.
tory, sacred and profane; in biography,
science, poetry, music and much in art.
As we peruse our daily papers, it is we'll
for us to remember that every letter over
which the eye passes requires physical
and intellectual effort on the part of the
compositor and the close scrutiny of the
proof-reader, and much of this is done
while we are quietly sleeping. And this
routine is followed, IN the experience of
many, for a lifetime. What men, more
than printers, should be remembered
when the eye grows dim or the currents
of life flow sluggishly, because of long ap
plication for the public good are they
poor? 1t is the poverty of toll. The
nearest approach to wealth that some of
them will ever experience is when they
stand upon the portico of this printers
home and look out upon the gold fields
of Ell Paso county. The compositor's
case, however, is often the stepping stone
to true greatness. Benjamin franklin,
the philosopher and statesman, who was
the first American to win European
favor, and who chained the lightning as
it fell from the clouds, was practical
printer. Horace Greeley, the great jour
nalist, was also printer; Bishop Nc
Laren, by whose presence we are honored
to-day, followed the same occupation in
early years, and the distinguished sena-
tor of the United States from New Hamp-
shire. who is the orator of this session,
was likewise printer; in hearty sym
pathy with this class We find that prom
inent journalists. whose names we honor
among the philanthropists Of the nine
teenth century, Hon. Geo. w. Childs.
The last name mentioned with that of A.
j. Drexel and other generous donors will
ever live in the memory of those whose
closing years in life will be made radiant
with Colorado sunshine and the cordial
greetings of the residents of Colorado
Springs.