The herald., 1894-03-12
THE LABOR QUESTION AGAIN.
A Lively Meeting of the I'm
employed.
Dir. Ravlin and Others Discuss the
Situation.
some Very Derogatory Remarks on tho
Moneyed Men OF tho Nation.
Appeal for Bread and
Blankets.

The announcement that DR.. N. F.
Ravlin, lecturer for the First Spiritual
society, would speak on the Peoples
Party and Its Missions attracted large
audience to the Grand opera house last
night, which included Colonel Fry's
regiment OF unemployed. Every seat
on the hoor and the first gallery was
taken and the upper gallery was nearly
full.
The meeting was opened with piano
solo by rrof. Carlyle Peterslea. A vocal
solo was rendered by Miss Hannah
Rees, young lady who will one day
ere long be recognized as one OF the
sweetest singers Of Los Angeles, who
was vociferously encored, but the pro-
gramme did not admit of response.
DR.. Ravlin said that he had nothing
in common with the men who were re-
sponsible for the present deplorable con-
dition OF the country. The legislation
of and for the United States had been
dictated by bankers and bondholders for
25 years, and thousands of men all over
the land were out OF employment and
the verge of starvation in consequence.
Our country is broad enough and there
are acres enough 10 give every man
home. There ia enough to be done and
money enough to give every man
employment at Temunerative wages.
The people know that there is every
thing necessary to supply the necessi-
ties of all, and this knowledge intensi-
fiee the pain of their present condition.
Mills are idle and millions of men have
nothing TO do or to depend upon. The
spectacle of hundreds OF men on the
streets with nothing to do and nothing
to live upon may be seen everywhere,
and it has all come of legislation that
has enriched the lew and impoverished
the many. 1t is serious matter.
The country is in more serious con-
dition today than it was in the darkest
days OF the rebellion. Men-able-
bodied men-carnot be ex )ected to lie
down and stRrve at the behest of bank
ers and bondholders when there is an
abundance OF everything around them
necessary to supply their needs. And
yet the members of congress 90 on as
they have, as though they had no idea
of the condition of the people who de-
pend upon the labor of their hands for
bread.
He said that before the last presden-
tial election, we thought If the Demo-
cratic party got into power something
would be done for the relief of the peo-
pie, but the only thing that the Demo-
cratic party has attempted to do was to
reseat an old heather queen in the
Sandwich islands on her throne. If
we should send Populists to congress we
cannot be sure that they will do any
better. Everybody that goes TO Wash
ington seems to go wrong, and the Pop
ulist sinks out of sight, or if he speaks
or votes he speaks and votes against his
constituents.
DIR. Ravlin read the letter of the pres
ident of the Bankers association to
memberssof congress, showing that they
we're still scheming to help themselves
at the expense of the masses, and ex-
tracts from various leading eastern
daily papers to chow that they had nc
sympathy with the laboring and desti-
tute classes. but followed in the lead o
those who control legislation to the in
jury of the people.
Mr.. Ravlin showed his entire lack O
appreciation of the animus OF the repre-
sentative newspaper by remarking thai
it was doubtful that any of the loca
papers would meation the meeting, ig-
noring the fact that the best newspapers
always chronicle al events of public i'm
portance. The speakers who followed
I him referred to his statement regarding
the newspapers, which by some war
thought inappropriate, to say the least
He was frequently interrupted by ap
plause.
Col. Fry. who has been chosen tC
command the army OF the unemployed
and lead it ION to Washington" was in
troduced and made brief speech. Prof
Jamison and Col. FITZGERALD of Wash
ington, d. c., each contributed to ths
interest of the occasion by eloquenI
epeeches in behalf OF change in the
administration of the government as the
only means OF perpetuating "a govern
ment of the people by the people anc
for the people,"
At the conclusion of the speeches &
request was made that any who coulc
contribute blankets, clothing or Other
articles for the army OF the unemployed
should give their names and places o
residence. About 20 blankets and ar
overcoat were pledged, collection wal
taken and the audience was dismissed