Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-30
A Local Union That Has a Remark
ably Interesting Record.
SERVED As VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS
Stood Guard at President LincoIn's
Inauguration.
LATER HISTORY OF THE BODY


on its rolls. But upon the first rumors of a
threatened dissolution of the Union. said Mr..
William Connor, the historian of the organi-
cation, to a Star reporter the other day, a
resolution was passed by unanimous vote
that the body form itself into a military or
ganization for the protection of the national
capital and for the preservation Of the
country. the name of THE Mechanics
Union Rifles" was selected, and Capt. Alex
ander Rutherford was elected commanding
officer. The drills were conducted in the old
Armory building, near the Smithsonian In
stitution which is now used by the fish COM
mission.
The first public parade was given Febru-
airy y, 1861, and March following their
first actual active service was rendered.
Active Service.
A rumor had been circulated that the
armory would be seized and the arms and
ammunition used to prevent the Inaugural
ticn Of President Lincoln. All of that day
the Rifles stood under arms at the armory.
On the 18th they were furnished with forty
rounds of ammunition per man and posted
near the treasury building, with instruc-
lions to fall in behind the regulars as part
of President I-incoln's escort On the arrival
OF the column at the Capitol the regulars
We're posted to guard the approaches to the
building, and the Mechanics Rifles were
formed in semicircle in front of the stand
on which the President stood while deliver
Ing his inaugural address.
Quartered in the Capitol.
April II the Rifles were mustered into the
service of the United States, and quarters
were given them in the Capitol, where they
remained until Congress assembled in extra
session, on the 4th of July. Meanwhile the
Rifles performed a good deal Of duty in
guarding the bridges and approaches to the
city.
The Rifles still have in their possession,
regarding 1t as priceless treasure, the flag
which they carried during those exciting
times. This flag was presented to them by
the ladies of Washington. March 2, 1861,
through Col. John w. Forney, then secre-
tary of the United States Senate, and ac-
cepted by Capt Rutherford.
After serving the period Of their enlist
ment, the Rifles were honorably discharged
from the service, but many of them subse-
quently re-enlisted in other commands and
fought therein to the close of the war.
Plenty of Work.
The close of the struggle between the
north and south found Washington in the
enjoyment of abundance of work for all
classes of mechanics, the stone cutters get
ting $3.50 per day for eight hours work
At that time, as now, there was not one
ron-union man of the trade in the city,
Of 1873. when wages fell to s.. 30 per day for
ten hours work, at which figure they re-
manned until about 1850, when the union
was reorganized, and a demand was made
for $3.50 for a day of nine hours. 4 COM
promise of s. for nine hours was made, and
this scale was maintained until 1884, when
the men were given $3.50.
The Strike of 1856.
Two years later all the mechanics in the
District struck for a day of eight hours,
and Z is somewhat remarkable that the
stone cutters alone Of all the trades carried
their point, and gained for themselves the
proud distinction of being pioneers of the
eight-hour movement in the United States
In 1887 the employers agreed to pay the
hours work. and the setting men, those who
work on the outside of the building five
cents per hour more, or 81 Per day. This is
the schedule maintained at present.
Officers of the Union.
The officers of the union are: Fred Brooks,
president; John Duncan, vice president;
William H. Chappelle, secretary; William
krieton. treasurer, and Mr.. VIM. Connor,
chairman of grievance committee.
President Brooks is in the prime of life,
being about tllirty-e.ght years DID, He has
Travelled extensively both in the new and
old worlds, and is regarded as man of af-
fairs, and safe and conscientious official
Vice President Duncan is a native of
Scotland, and came to Washington about
fifteen years ago.
Secretary Chappelle is about thirty years
of age. He is a native of England, and,
after reaching this country, spent some
time in Baltimore, coming to Washington
several years ago. He is well educated, is
an excellent speaker, and takes great in
terest in the affairs of the District of CO.
lumbia.
Treasurer Krieton is also in the prime of
life. Before coming to Washington he was
for more than ten years employed on the
great public building in Philadelphia
To Chairman Connor of the grievance
committee and his collea CUES is assigned
the duty of adjusting all questions that
arise between the stone cutters and the
members of other crafts who work with
them, such IS br;cklayers, etc. He is thir-
ty-three years old, native of England,
but has been in Washington since 1867. He
learned his trade with Jacob Viehmeyer G.
Sons, and later was their foreman for ten
Corcoran Art Gallery. He is ready speak
er, and his advice on all matters relating
to organized labor is gladly followed by
those to whom he addresses his remarks.
National AfRliation.
internationally, the Stone Cutters Asso-
citation of Washington is affiliated with the
Journeymen Stone Cutters Association of
North America, whose local unions are to
be found in every part Of the United States
and Canada where there is stone to be
cut. The latter was formed, as stated by
the leaders, because capital has assumed to
itself the right to own ard control labor
for the accomplishment of its own greedy
and selfish ends, regardless of the laws of
Gcd and nature, and experience has DEM
onstrated the utility of concentrated efforts
in arriving at specific ends, and it is an
evident fact that if the dignity of labor is
to be preserved it must be done by united
effort and believing the truth of the fol-
Lowing maxims: That they who would free
themselves must appeal to reason and JUS
tice; that in union there Is strength, and
self-preservation is the first law of nature.
They hold the justice and truth of the
principle that merit makes the man: and
firmly believing in industry, sobriety and
proper regard for the welfare of their fell
low workmen, they organized themselves
with these ends in view.
The Apprentice System.
All apprentices on going to the trade
must serve term of four years, and shall
be under the control of the branch where
they are serving their time, subject to the
wishes Of the branch during their appren-
ticeship, the same as journeymen; but in
no case must they work more hours than
the journeymen.
No applicant under the age of fifteen or
over eighteen is allowed to go to the trade,