The herald., 1895-12-17
Labor Representatives Address
the Local Divines
TRADES UNIONISM DEFINED
Appeal Made to the Pastors to Assist
in the Work
Heated Discussion Arises, But Finally Or
ganized Labor is Eniorssd-A Com-
mittee is Appointed to Address
the Trades Council

parlOrS OF the 10ung VI M9u Cnristidu ASSN
citation after the regular business OF the
union had been ransacted.
At the last meeting of the body, j. II.
Nc Williams of the Council of Labor APP
peared bef IRE the ministers au1 stated in
substance that there was deep feeling OF
prejudice existing against the MINISTER'S of
the city. After consideration of the sub
ject, resolution was passed by the pas
tors inviting representatives of the Council
OF Labor to appear before that hody and
state the objects and aims of organized
labor. The council selected S. D. B dde,
j. II. McWilliams and f. B. Colver to rep
resent them.
AT the session yesterday, in compliance
wi h the request, Messrs. Bdde and Col
yer appeared. +. b. Covers address
seemed to create con siderable feeling, and
red-hot discussion followed. Mr.. Colver
said:
The declarations OF the American Feder-
alton of Labor have been adopted, nearly
entire, by the W. G. 7. L. in their national
convention, lately assembled at Baltimore,
being presented by Miss Frances Willard.
At the national convention of The American
Federation assembled in New YORK city last
week, representatives of the w. C. L. L. APP
peared b7fore that body upon invitation.
They were heartily received and their
speeches were ordered printed in
the proceedings of that body. We
mention this as demonstrating that
the Christian Temperance women
of the United States believe in
organized labor and are willing to
cooperate with them in the uplifting
of the workingman. In speaking of
the aims and objects of organized labor,
must necessarily refer to the typographical
union, which certainly reflects the cardinal
t,rir, i,,la ,r,f al
organized in 1880. There are now over
300 subordinate unions in the United
States, the Canadas and the Hawaiian
islands,. receiving charters from the
national body. The aims of the union
are best stated in the preamble of
and promulgate our interests and
rights as workingrnen and bring
all under the restraint of wholesome duty
the undersigned journeymen printers of
Los Angeles, in associated brotherhood, do
enact, declare and establish the following
rs our constitution for future governments
Article 2, section l, says "rhe objects of
this union shall be the establishment and
main enaace of fair rate of wages, the
encouragement of good workmen, and the
elevation of the craft in general" Section
2-To endeavor to replace strikes and
their attendant bitterness and pecuniary
loss by arbitration and conclistion in the
settlement of all disputes concerning wages
and condition of employment. Strikes are
resorted to when every other method of
arbitration and conciiation-
has failed. So you will perceive that it is
as necessary for us to organize, not only to
avoid competition in our own ranks, but
for protection against organized capital,
combines and trusts. If we did not COM
bine selfish motives would be the MAIN
spring of action. AS it is the injury of one
is the concern of all. We are also organ.
lied for benevolent purposes. 20 are all
unions. TO care for our sick and bury our
dead. At Rosedale we have beautiful
plat for the burial of our dead. The ma
tional union contributes $50 upon the
death of every member far a burial fund.
"At Colorado Springs there is home for
aged and invalid prin ers. costing nearly
$4,000. Those two great philantbropists,
Messrs Childs and Drexel, contrib.
uted $4,000 as starter. A very
wealthy man of Denver, Col. gave
nearly sixty acres of land. The home is
generously supported by assessments from
the different Printers unions of the United
States.
II wish to call your attention to another
point as showing the thrift and economy of
our resident printers: Nearly one-half of
our lumber own Their own homes in Los
Angeles Upon the visit of Henry George
to this city few years ago called his at
tention to this, and he was very much sur
prised.
Another item: Never in the history of
trades unions have there been so many
temperate and sober men in our ranks.
The habtual drunkards are rare, whereas
in former years they were numerous. In
morals and in education there has been a
perceptible advance as the years go by. l
speak from an experience of over fifty
years in the ranks of organized labor.
That unions have made mistakes in the
past by precipitate action | am not pre-
pared to deny; but from year to year more
safeguards are thrown around the laws of
the different trades unions to prevent a re-
sort to strikes. We now have the resort to
aSlitration, conciliation, and the consent
of the parent body has to be obtained.
When all means fail it takes vote of
three-fourths of all mambers and six
months residence to order acstrike. An
other thing, we are organized for shorter
hours. The government and most of the
states have adopted the eight-hour day for
all employees.
The Australian ballot has been adopted
through the constant agitation of trades
unions. Most all the unions are opposed
to Sunday work. They believe in he six
days shalt thou labor and do all thy work"
The Barbers' and Clerks and Bakers
unions of the United States are in favor of
Sunday closing. Among the membership
of trades unions there is now and always
has been a strong prejudice against or,ho-
dox Christianity and the preachers. One
reason for this is that they have 80 often
espoused the cause of the capitalist. 1 do
not make wholesale charge. There are
notable exceptions right here i'm our midst.
A few weeks ago it became my LOT and
others to defend the preachers of this city
and Christianity in the Council of Labor. |
bell We in the transforming aud renewing
influence of a belief in the Savior and be-
!ieve in the Sermon on the Mount. | be-
lieve that Christ taught a universal broih-
erhood. Some uniOnists, however, believe
that ministers have no sympathy with
them for the uplifting of their brothers,
for shorter work day and uniformity of
wages and other ,hings; that the church is
for the rich. We further believe in re-
stricting foreign pauper immigration.
Consequently we do not think IL
class should import foreign contract lab )r
to underbid American freemen. We be.
lieve in restricting this class of emigrants.
not only at He'll Gate, but at the Golden
Gate.
We do not believe that American free
labor ought to be made to compete with
the convict labor of Tho United States.
We believe in a fair days pay for a fair
days work. We believe in the golden
rule, and the adoption of this rule would
forever end the strike and boycott
Wound you dispel this prejudice against
you and your church, take some interest i'm
the struggles of labor, and labor W. uld
take an interest in you and the church.
Assist us in the Sunday closing movement.
Assist us in our efforts to restrict foreign
pauper emigration. Assist us in our strug-
giles to cOntine convict labor to its proper