The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-08-30
THE UNEMPLOYED!

An Immense Gathering of Unem-
plOyed Workmen at
Market Hall.
They Pray for the Restoration of
Free Silver Coinage.
We live in the midst of profound
peace. No war has devastated the
country or depleted the nations trea-
sure. No blight, no drought or other
calamity has worked destruction to
the peoples crops. On the contrary
the harvest is an average one and we
are upon the very threshold of the
season when Agriculture pours her
years product of newly created
wealth into the nations lap. And
yet, in the face Of these facts, there
is an almost total collapse of busi-
ness, hundreds of thousands of men
are without money, work, or credit,
and, in some places, rioting for bread.
Nature has done her part. The hui
man suffering and loss of property
cannot be laid at her door. Clearly
and indisputably the trouble comes
from bad legislation.
This was obviously the opinion of
the crowd of unemployed working
men who packed Market hall Mon
day from rostrum to gallery to take
steps for the relief Of the unem-
ployed. 1t was necessary that some
thing be done by the city or state, or
both, to give employment to labor
to provide against present suffering !:
but to ren,0ue the source of the trouble
financial legislation was necessary.
Edward Peterson was elected chair
man, and the object of the gather
ing was explained by Mr.. Bantz.
What they wanted to do, he said, was
to adopt means whereby they could
make a living without accepting
charity. All of the unemployed per-
sons present we're Industrious men,
who at present by force of circum-
stances found themselves out of
work.
HON. IGNATIUS DONNELLY,
The speaker of the evening, was then
introduced to the assem- blage, and
was received with vociferous cheer
ing;
"The present." he said, "was not
a time for speechmaking, but for ac-
tion. We were never before con-
fronted by such condition of things.
It seems to me that the one remedy
for this state of things would be a
little more confidence on the part of
those who have money in the bank
ing Institutions of the state. Why
are you unemployed? The man who
employed you conducted his business
on credit, but cannot longer get cred
it at the banks, because thousands
have drawn their money out of the
banks and with the bank today it
is struggle. 1t does not know at
what moment it may have to close
it's doors because the deposits are be-
ing withdrawn. And where has that
money been put? 1t has been
. put into stockings, into chests
of drawers and into the earth,
and withdrawn from circulation
!, and it's effect upon the industrial
world is just the same as if man
had the life blood drawn from his
veins. It seems to me that there
ought now to be renewal of conf
dence in the banks on the part OF
those who have withdrawn their
money. The banks could then lend
their money to employers of labor,
tile factories would be opened and
there would be peace and plenty
where now we have terror, doubt,
and danger. This seems to me one
of the great remedies in this case.
AN EXTRA! SESSION CONSIDERED.
In regard to the calling of special
meeting of the legislature, the speak
er said there was fear that the ses-
sion would be unnecessarily pro-
longed. 1t could not be ascertained
except upon investigation whether
ah extra session was necessary. II
UPON examination by the ward COM
mlttees such appeared to be the case,
wd could effect an agreement that
wd would consider no measurs not
relhting to the present condition of
labPr here (applause) and we would
wind the session up inside of 80 days.
We could pass laws that would enable
thisl city to create bonded debt at
a lof rate of Interest which would
enable the city to expend the money
on important works that would en-
ploy labor. (Applause.) The last leg
islature resolved that the state re-
quirea a new capitol, which is to cost
$2,OOOpOO. 1t could be decided at the
extra session to proceed with that
work aft once. (Cbeers) The expen-