Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-04-09
OPENING OF THE FAIR.
TVS Excellent Speakers Address hhs
injecting of Central Labor Union.

TVS Excellent Speakers Address nae
Injecting of Central Labor Union.
The fair of Central Labor union opened
in City hall Saturday evening. under the
most favorable auspices. Although\ the
weather was not all that could be desired
the number of men in line was large. The
parade was headed by the National band,
and 'colored fire was burned in profusion
by sympathizing merchants. Mayor Kill
duff, who was to have opened the fair, was
unable to be present on account of sick
ness in his family, and Daniel j. Kelly,
who acted as chairman, was equal to the
occasion and introduced the distinguished
guests, D. E. De Leon and Thomas Me
CURE, in happy manner The stage en-
tertainment, provided by Syuott Brothers,
the acrobats, and Delaney and Hughes, in
Irish and German sketches, pleased the
large audience. Tonight Joe Knox ana
William Smith will be the entertainers and
there will be dancing
Yesterday morning Messrs De Leon and
Mcclure met the officers of the different
unions and discussed matters of mutual
interest. In the afternoon at 2:15 the
regular weekly meeting was held in Labor
hall, which was crowded to the doors.
President T. F. Bolger presided. d. E.
De Leon, who was the first speaker, stot d
upon the platform that the workingman
supports the capitalist and not
the capitalist the nottingham He
argued that the wages of the
worklngman and the profits of capital both
represent the products of labor The
capitalist does no manner of work. He
simply draws dividends, which means
wages withheld. To prove his assertion
he said that nearly all the large industries
of the country are stock corporations and
| NO or hOl onfually know nnfbiDu of
the practical working of the business.
They simply drew dividends belonging to
labor. Coming down to local affairs the
speaker said that capital takes four-tifths
of the proceeds of labor in Waterbury.
He did not believe that the average yearly
wages of Waterbury workmen was $500.
Mr. DeLeon then spoke of the perfection
of machinery. which displaces hundreds of
workmen. He argued that these machines
should be owned by society, and the only
| hope for the country is to place the land
and capital in the hands of the govern
ment. In conclusion the speaker con-
demned both of the old political parties.
Thomas Mcclure said that one of the
principal aims of organized labor was to
abolish poverty. Poverty leads to crime
and crime is sin; therefore, he reasoned,
the churches should aid the labor move
ment. In New York last year, said the
speaker, 120,O00 were dispossessedo of their
homes. While the democratic and repub-
lican parties in their platforms denounce
the brutality of the car and the seltshness
of British landlords there We're more ev!c-
tons in New York last year than in Ire
land for the past ten years. The speaker
spoke of the low rate of wages paid III
some industries which, he said, left mar
row pathway between vice and virtue. He
urged parents to educate their children
and keep them out of the workshop until
their minds are developed and their char
acters formed. He also dealt a blow al
tie trashy literature read by the children
of the present age. He urged his hearers
not to quarrel over sects Or creeds. join
| hands. he said in conclusion, land work
harder for the common purpose OF
better food, more clothing and better
shelter, so that our bodies will live longer
thereby giving us more time to save oul
souls"
President Bolger thanked those present
for assisting at the fair and said the pro
ceeds would be used in securing speakers
to address the meetings in this city.