The Portland daily press., 1892-10-13
THE CARPENTERS UNION.

oSo AhSlE uAtcOiuS l4aso AHsOA----S
Mr.. Frank Pays Glowing Tribute
to Organized Labor-Mr. Looney and
President Kelley Also Speak.
While the meeting of the Carpenters UWon at
the Sons of Veterans hall was not largely at
tended, it was nevertheless spirited and inter-
estlng meeting Mr.. A. F. Mann presided and
Hon. M. P. Frank spoke first.
Mr.. Frank began by praising organized labor
to which he said there was no valid objection
Labor organization is great means OF educa-
ton. The needed knowledge of economic AFFAIRS
cannot be gained in any better way than through
labor organization When once this knoWl-
edge has been obtained the spirit OF inquiry IS
aroused, and thereby are created aspirations
for better things. What we acquire we nave
got to demand. And the strength of organlza-
ton enables the laboring imam to demand MS
rights with greater prospect of success. Then
the existence OF organization puts the men OF
whom the demand is made in a position where
they do not dare to resist. Another advantage
of organization is that it brings the wants and
grievances OF 1aborers to the attention OF the
public where they have careful ana unpfeJu-
diced attention.
Mr.. Frank said that as we are a government
of the people, and as the machinery Of our gov
eminent allows changes to come peaceaDly ana
easily, organized labor is able to carry through
measures for the good of its members. Thus
widespread discomfort is ayerted and revolu-
lions are prevented. Therefore. In Mr. FRANK S
opinion, the organization of labor is one OF the
best preventives of bloodshed, riot and revolu-
ton. sd
Mr.. Frank said that the march OF invention
had brought such changes that the work OF the
world could be done with two-thlrds OF me e, Ia.
Dor of the people. But the speaker SAID that
labor now is very little better off than It was 81
or an hundred years ago, in spite OF all the!ad,
yantages of labor saving machines. Organized
labor must see to it that in the future LABOR
should get greater share.
President James Kelley. of the Union, spoke
next on the necessity of filling the Union. ne
said that since the carpenters Union had got
the nine-hour day the members had seemed to
lie down. Now this was not the way OF the
true union man. The more he gets the more ne
shorter hours. The figure s is emblazoned on
our banners. The Carpenters Union numbers
$4,000 members, and is the strongest in the
country
William H. Looney, Esq, was next intro
duced He said he wished to express his graft
tude to this and other unions for the help given
in common enterprise not long ago, Mr.. Loo
ney said that without organization there never
has been and never can be any true progress:
The labor laws OF Maine are far behind those of
other northern states. Labor organic atoms in
this state do not have the cohesion which they
should have. We ought to have in Maine an
employers liability act, and we ought to have
fortnightly payments on the railroads.
Speaking of the proposition to have biennial
city elections, Mr.. LoOney said he did not favor
it. 1t was great mistake when our state cleo
tons were changed from annual to biennial.
[Applause.l 1t was taking just so much sover-
eighty from the people. Elections also are
great educators
Speaking of the Australian ballot law, Mr.
Looney said the system had come to stay. but
it needed amendment. The arrangement of
candidates by parties and the making of the
single mark enabled outsiders to tell whether a
man voted straight ticket. With change to
the Massachusetts system, grouping sthe names
done away with. Mr. Looney said he proposed
to advocate this change this winter
Mr. William Healey, of the Cigarmakers
Union spoke briefly