Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-19
COXEYITES AND wORKINGMEN.
Lively Discussion by the Baltimore
Federation of Labor.


The Federation Of Labor Of Baltimore
practically resolved itself into a debating
society last night for the discussion of the
Coxey movement. 1t was shown that q
fair proportion of the members thought the
federation acted unwisely in indorsing Carl
Browns and many personalities were in
dulged in during the meeting.
The discussion started when Edward
Freeburger, chairman of the committee
made his report on a mass meeting held
Monday night, at which Browne spoke.
Mr.. Freeburger said that the object of the
federation was to prove that right Of free
speech is not denied citizens of Baltimore.
motion to thank the committee
caused the committeeman to be criti-
cised by several members. who said
all the work of arranging for the meeting
had been left to Mr.. Freeburger Edward
j. McCleavy, president of the Federatio
who was absent. was also criticised for his
alleged unwillingness to introduce Browne
at the meeting.
storm was raised when Samuel Hasson
of the Cigarmakers' Union reported that
his organization had placed Itself on record
as in favor of free speech but opposed to
backing up any body Of men who come
along.
w. II. Heiliger Of the Cigarmakers' Union
also spoke. when a man comes along
Will IL tTdue we SnOulu pack MIN up, ne
said. Who are these people? CoXey Is a
horse Spectator and Unknown Smith and
Carl Browne are patent medicine men or
fakirs. Instead of appointing committee
for them We should devote more time to our
own interests. The respectable people of
the country are opposed to them. One of
them told me that the movement was mere
ly n steal or garb for the leaders, and that
he had found but one member of organized
labor beside himself among the men,"
Several members arose to reply to Mr..
HeiigCr. the floor being obtained by Dele
gate Elliott of the Painters Union, who
said: Il know that the head of the men
here now is an ex-presdent of a holders
union on the Pacific coast, and has his card
in his pocket The federation wished to
vindicate the right of free speech when II
Endorsed Browne and his movement
Mr.. Hasson again obtained the floor and
exclaimed that the cigarmakers objected to
airy discussion Of their protest and would
leave the room If they were to be oatechised
by the bricklayers, granite cutters and
others for reporting as directed by their
union. I'VE are opposed" he said. Ito pick
ing up a lot Of darn Internal tramps who
are living on the public"
1T is evident that George Washington
and those who signed the Declare ton of In
dependence were not cigarr,akers," said one
delegate, and another delegate declared that
the Coxeyites are las good workingmen as
could be found
Mr.. Heilger retorted that a lot of MEM
bers were Disguised at the action of the fed
Grafton in indorsing Browne and the cigar
makers protested against similar action in
the future.
Mr.. Freeburger Endorsed Browne and said
the only object of the mass meeting was to
show the world and the authorities of the
city that the right of free speech must be
maintained in Baltimore. In his opinion
ninety-five per cent of the men with
Browne are true working people and fifty
per cent of them have cards.
VIM. Boone, also Of the cigarmakers, de-
clared that the federation is governed too
Ix-e ,&.tty.
in local ,nion," he said, 'and then come
here and work up sufficient sentiment to
have $50 appropriated for the strikers. You
voted $50 for the coal miners. and II you
wanted aid from them you would not get
cent. The permit for the Browne meeting
was obtained on your prestige, and the fed
GRAFTON should be careful to whom 1t allows
the privilege O. the floor"
Secretary Duncan replied to the charge
that the federation was governed too much
by sentiment, and when he had concluded a
motion was adopted ending the discussion.
as 1t was becoming more and more per-
soral.
During the discussion the voices Of the
speakers were at times drowned by the
calling the members to order. Mr.. Myers
advised all Ito shake hands over the bloody
chasm."
The federation was addressed by Gen"
w. H. Sullivan, In command Of the present
camp at Highlandtown. Sullivan said he is
an ironmolder and he showed his working
card. He said that ninety-five per cent of
his men have union cards, and that there
are fourteen Grand Army men in his COM
pany. when the Chicago papers called us
tramps," he continued, Il rammed the lie
down their threats, and they came out the
next day and said we, were workingmen,
but with a mistaken idea. None Of us sane
ton the burning Of cars. and we are not
anarchists. Have the heart and nerve to
stand for your rights and demand them.
and you will get them" The meeting then
adjourned.