The record-union., 1893-08-09
DON'T AGREE WITH IRISH.
The Federated Trades Reply to His
Graduation Speech.
A Set of Resolutions Adopted by the
Council-The Suspension of the
Geary Act Denounced.

The Council of Federated Trades does
not take kindly to John P. Irish's views
of the apprentice question.
Mr.. Irish, in addressing the high
school graduates recently, said that those
of the American youth of to-day who are
being driven into criminal lives are so
directed through the refusal of the trades
unions to admit them as apprentices. The
Council has adopted the following resolu-
tions with reference to the matter:
''WHEREAs, At the graduating exer-
cises of the High School of this city, held
at Metropolitan Theater, July 9th last,
among those present interested in the
cause of education was the Hon. J. p.
Irish, who, in an address subsequently
published, we find the honorable gentle
man expressing his great interest in the
future of the youth whose education is
being so well cared for. He also recalled
a scene of a few weeks previous of a
gathering of 400 boys representing the
grammar and high schools of this State,
each and all of whom were criminals,
caused by some evil focusing of cir
cumstances denied them the opportunity
to work. He also found that Some OF
them were calloused, impervious to
shame and 70 sympathy in this penal in
stitution. He found the faces of all these
lads beaming with interest-worlk had
brought the opportunity for the redemp-
ton of their souls and bodies and He
desired TO bring home TO his fellow-citi-
zens and the young people that as they
go out into the world and knock at the
door of this trade and that, they will find
no door open to them This, he states,
as especially true of California, but all
over the country our boys have the doors
shut in their faces And
etIN hnraag Wa hn @f ral
Grated Trades of Sacramento, having duly
considered the subject as stated by the
honorable gentleman, do hereby pro-
claim the same TO be without foundation.
The principles of organized labor in this
fair State has ever been to afford every
opportunity to the youth TO become IN
dependent by the sweat OF their brow.
Every branch of mechanical and other
honorable professions are open to them.
The shops of California are proud of their
apprentices, and every inducement Of
tered that they perfect themselves ere
they start out into the world to battle for
livelihood, but the 400 and the 400 more
of whom the gentleman speaks. What
their pedigree? What their history? If
truly told, doubtless, many are descend
ants of most respectable families. Some,
too respectable, perhaps, to suggest self
support to their boys, and when perhaps.
too late, many Of these same boys would
for opportunities denied them by parents
and guardians through neglect for their
future welfare.
w believe the honorable gentleman
aimed to interest his audience with some
original ideas and sentiments, but such
a subject needed closer Investigation than
1t appears to have received, hence the un-
just charges preferred against organized
labor, and we would further say unmer-
tied sympathy bestowed upon large
majority of the 400 who doubtless now
do work-not from choice, however, but
compulsion, as atonement to an outraged
law. We would suggest that MIR. Irish
would confer greater benefit TO the State
and the coming generation by impressing
upon the minds OF parents and guardians
the duty they owe to the youth intrusted
TO their care by teaching them in time
the necessity of becoming self-supporting
by some honorable occupation, for the
doors of the trades will ever be found
open TO their call in California as they
ever have been.
"We regret the necessity to refute
charge so serious in its import, and are
surprised that such should emanate
from a man heretofore admired FOR his
fairness, brilliancy of thought and char
liable professions. AS all good citizens.
we deplore the fact that California born
criminals are numerous, but the cause
and the remedy, we hold, is not with or
ganized labor, but rather with cruel
training and evil associations"
The Council has also adopted resolu-
tions denouncing ;'the arbitrary suspen-
sion OF the Geary Act as not only con-
trary to the constitutional obligations of
the executive officers of our National
Government, but as an act of oppressive
hostility to American labor"