Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-21
A AREMARK ABLE BODY.
Pennsylvania Protection Workingmen
In Washington.
AGAINST THE TARIFF BILL
They Wish to BE Heard by Congress
Status of Visitors to the Fede-
raj Capitol.

WASHINGTON. April Ozone OF the
most remarkable bodies OF men that ever
came TO the capital reached this city to-
day at noon. There were nearly 40 OF
them. and they came as the advance
body Of a larger crowd that expects TO
reach here tomorrow. They are members
Of the National Workingmcn's Protective
Tariff League. and they are here for the
purpose OF protesting against any further
legislation with a view 10 lowering the
tariff on manufactured products. They do
not dub themselves an Industrial army
In IN, sense that that term is now used.
and Individually and collectively they ex-
press themselves as opposed To coXey
and his methods. and to all the other men
who are working along similar lines.
In exact figures there were $50 men and
thirty women in the party that came TO-
day. They make up a representative
body from the league. most OF them com
ing from Philadelphia. Germantown
Camden. and the smaller towns in that
vicinity. one Of the leaders of ;he party
told a reporter this afternoon that more
than a thousand rOuni-trp tickets had
been sold from Philadelphia, and 1t Is
thought that tomorrow there VIII be
in the EeighbOrhood of "A couple OF thou
sand working people to transact the busi-
ness for which they are here. They viii
all leave for home tomorrow evening at
Z o'clock by special trains.
The party arrived in this city just at
noon to-day. coming over in Il special
train OF eight cars from Philadelphia.
h4xfnC l..ft fI.4ra af a. clock fms morn
ing Along the side Of the cars were long
strips of canvas bearing in painted letters
the words: National Workingmen's Pro-
tective Tariff League Convention AT
Washington" They came on the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad. and Will go
back the same way. larger number OF
cars have already been engaged for the
party tomorrow.
a REPRESENTATIVE BODY.
1t would be hard to find better or
mora respectable body Of people any
where They are admittedly working peo-
pie though many Of them are not al
work just now. 1t is not their fault now
ever. and from the appearance OF the
crowd their dress. and general bearing
IL is evident that most. If not all Of them
had slowed away tidy sums when they
had steady work Many in the party are
from factories that have closed their
doors or are working only part Of the
time They represent many and varied
forms of Industries. though perhaps the
majority are from factories that turn out
textile fabrics. They are skilled work.
men, as "A rule, iron manufacturers, stove
makers. Cigarmakers. and men in scores
Of other lines Of work. IL is a representa-
tive body in the sense that the men ana
women have come from different iacto-
rcs Ever since the movement toward
Washington was first spoken OF ehOrtS
have been made to raise the funds Tor
this PURPOSE. In most Of thu factories
little boxes were tackled upon the wall
and the workngmen were expected TO
contribute triflng sums from their weeks
wages
IN, contributions. as a rule. were in
> and 1O-ccnt pieces. but as the league
has a membership running way up INTO
the thousands. scattered through the
manufacturing districts Of Pennsylvania,
New York. and New England, 1t did not
take them long to raise a sum sufficient
for tn purpose. During their stay IN
this city the members are stopping al
the National Hotel ST. James, Howard
House. and the Hotel Johnson. The COM
mittee makes its headquarters at the last
named hotel. Their plan OF operations
while in Washington is very simple. Ihey
intend to draw up memorial 10 con-
s,ress and "A series OF resolutions denounc-
ing the Wilson bill and protesting against
the refusal of Congress to give hearing
TO worklngmen.
THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
At a meeting held in Philadelphia last
evening suitable committees were appoint
ed for the convention. 1t was also de-
cided that no one except Wofklhsfneh
should be allowed TO address the assembly.
George Earnshaw was appointed 10 pre-
side at Washington, and William Gibson
James Donnelly. and James Reed were
appointed committee on order. The
committee to prepare resolutions TO be
alopted consists of Nj. j. Kelly. of Ken
sington: r. Riggs. of Germantown: j.
Halliwell, of Camden; 4. Scotland and ).
l.. Prince. of Manayunk. Should the 1000
DELEGATES who are expected 10 assemble
be permitted To parade. the marshals viii
be Robert Turner ThOs Mullen, Samuel
Gibson, and Alexander Scotland.
Each delegate wears a tasteful and sym
bolic badge II consists Of a stamped sill
vcred bar. bearing a silk red, white and
blue ribbon, from which Is suspended a
medal bearing on the diverse an arm
and the words, Labor Protest Against
the Wilson Tariff Bill" and on the re-
verse. National Workinsmen's Protec-
tive Tariff League. Washington. April
20-21 1884,"
The officers of the association are az
follows: Mr. John Stewart, president: Mr..
NJ J. Kelly secretary, and Mr.. Smith
Fitzgerald. treasurer. MIR. T.. Rigg is
president Of the Germantown association.
The Committee of Arrangements having
this gathering in Washington In charge
consists of the following members: Messrs.
Gibson. George Earnshaw, John Reid.
George Welsh. Samuel Prime. Davis,
Christeen. Scotland. Marshall j. bunker
j., Robson. James Beattie, G. II. Law,
:. Fitzgerald John c. Rowland Robin
son. Paul Wallace. j. Stitley, J. Shuttle
worth. Albeit. John Geault. John Bent
ley, NJ. Collins. and Joseph Underwood.
MIR HARMER'S ADDRESS.
Upon their arrival in this city they
were met at the Baltimore and Ohio sta
tion by Representative iiarmer. Of Penn
sylvania, from whose district many OF the
delegates come. They were marshalled in
"A body and marched. in double line, di-
rectly to Metzerott Hail. where the meet
ings of the convention are being held.
They were called to order there by MIR.
George Welsh, who is an employee in
one Of the big fancy cotton goods factO-
ries lie looks the labOring man Of the
best class and. in fact. the convention.
as 1t met this afternoon. would have
made most favorable impression upon
any one who had chance 10 see II.
They were business-like collection;
they knew what they had come for and
they lost little time in going about it.
Representative Harmer was called unon
to deliver an address of welcome. and
this he did in a few well-chOsen words.
In the course OF his remarks he said:
1T is with real pleasure that | bid you
welcome to the nations capital. for
know you here as / know you at home
to be a set Of respectable. Industrious.
and law-abiding citizens. You respect the
laws at home and know you will do the
same while you are within the confines
of the District. II Is not pleasure which
has brought you here, though every Amer
lean citizen has right to come 10
Washington. Yours is essentially busi-
ness trip. Your homes are threatened by
legislation which Is menace and a