Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-09-03
Financial Policies Upon Wages.

speech OF Jonn w w Wl1ams, vice fres
ident of the "GlassS.owers'' Union oI
America, delivered at the Convention held
in the 18th Ward Baltimore:
In 1867 and 1888 was employed in
Lower Canada ia the trade at which
have always worked, glass blowing In
thoss years silver was abundant in Can
ada, and the wages Of the workingman
were better than at say other time in the
history of the country. The man who
started the glass works In which was
employed was q millionaire, and he as
sured me personally that he had started
three or four other industries, in addi-
ton 10 that, just in order 20 get the large
amount Of silver on hss hands. He said
it was 30 cumbersome TO hoard he was
actually compelled to put it in circula.
ton. That often struck me since as q
good argument to advance against the
logic of some of our financial experts,
who are all the time prating about the
clumsiness of silver. imagine IL may be
a good think that ii is so, If IL becomes
'inconveniant TO hoard as my millionaire
employer said.
"Here In Baltimore got the best wages
l ever earned in III, ~ and '73. In the
last named year, you remember, they de-
monetized silver What was the result TO
labor? We had the frs. strikes and lock-
outs in 1874 which we ever experienced in
this country, and they have been on the
increase annually ever since.
Canada was fairly prosperous, as have
said. in 1866, 81 and '6S. In 1869 silver
was demonetized In Canada, and in 1870
thousands of locked. out workmep paraded
the streets in Montreal and Toronto with
their banners inscribed. Wen Have Blood
or Bread.'
"The government was compelled TO sup
port these men all that winter, ope ming
souphouses 10 keep them from starving
Here in Baltimore, between the years "A
and 7S, my wages and the wages OF every
workman employed at skilled labor de.
creased 33 1.3 per cent After the Bland.
Allison silver act was passed in '7S wages
began TO go up, and 1880 was the most
prosperous year the country ever saw. In
that year it was difficult 10 find q man out
Of work in any section of the country. I
knew a number of glass blowers who had
received a tempting offer from a Western
town. They were about TO leave here and
go West, when their employer offered them
800 each as an inducement to stay here.
and they accepted the money and remain
ed.
"Now. before the Bland act was passed
in 1878 I remember distinctly that the
Baltimore Sun cautioned the public against
thsa nv nrCtn
"If this cartwheel dollar act becomes
law, said the Sun, poverty will be spread
broadcast over the land. Panics. strikes
and lockouts will follow In other words
the Sun used the very same language then n
il does now.
81 heard Pinkney Why.o say on the
stump in that year: IF the Bisnd bill
goes through the workingmep down at
Locust Point will have TO get baskets to
haul home their big silver dollars, and
when they go TO Cross Street Market with
these same baskets they won't be able with
their inflated dollar TO purchase enough
heads Of Cabbage TO fill the baskets
That prophecy of the Senator did not come
true We went along alright until Clcve-
land got in. "a voice-You mean the
goldbug fisherman. Laughter.)
"When he got TO the White House he
commenced IN influence legislation on he
half of Wall street. Don't let the goidbugs
srare you. my fellow workmen with their
gloomy talk OF panics. They made the
same evil prophecies before.
"Rich men desire gold because a con.
traction of the currency drives the middle
men-the smaller fry-out Of competitor in
every business.
"a millionaire who employed me once
said n me: John, I'm glad the times are
hard and that money il scarce.
"'Why?' asked, in amazement.
"'Don't you understand why? he re-
sponded. why, the closeness Of the mon
ey market will squeeze the little fellows
out and I'll have thing all my own way.
/ can stand the squeeze.
"Vote your sentiments, and don't let
your employers intimidate you. "a voice:
"Cowen's doing II where workvO
"Well. don't be intimidated. Your right
to free ballot is as sacred as Mr.. Cow
ems. (Applause) / don't like 70 hear
people designate me and other silver men
IS Anarchists. | got wounded in the army
when l was not more than 20. left a job
of $500 q month to fight for the Union for
S13 month. did it for the coun;ry's
sake. and never regretted it. can hardly
be patient, though, when some Wall street
money lender or silk stocking aristocrat
calls me an Anarchist" (Applause)
The greatest enthusiasm prevsiled dur.
ing Mr. Williams address. Morning Her