St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-28
NO PANGs OF, HUNGER THERE,
EITHER PHYSICAL OR INTELLEC.
TUAL, FOR BOTH WE'RE WELL
SATISFIED.
Il WAS QPTIMIsM,s NIGHT.
Old Saying About Full Stomach
Was Exemplified I'm u Happy
Manner.


seen in this city in long time was
that at the Trades and Labor assem-
bly, banquet at Assembly hall last
night. Notwithstanding the disagree
ableness of the weather, the affair was
attended by fully $50 citizens of the
Twin Cities, including a few Of the
members Of the st. Paul city council
and an occasional professional or busi-
ness man not in any way identified
with the labor movement. A number
of invitations had been extended to
representatives OF the jobbers' union
and Commercial club, but for some rea-
son, probably the rain, none of these
were In attendance. Some forty or
fifty OF the organized workmen of Min
neapolis We're present -Four tables,
running the entire length of the hall,
were loaded with edibles and drink
ables, and the repast was seasoned
with an excellent programme of
speeches, songs and recitations. H. w.
bennett, president of the ST. Paul
Trades and Labor assembly, presided.
and addresses were made by E. E. Stew
ems, Of Minneapolis; Assemblyman
Johnson, of ST. Paul; John Swift, one
of the old warehouses in the labor
movement in Minneapolis; Labor Com
missioner L. G. Powers, President John
Copeland, of the assembly; George F.
Clifford and Louis Nash, of st. Paul.
After rapping for order, Mr.. bennett
explained that the purpose Of the ban
quet was to celebrate the first Of the
quarterly joint meetings that have been
inaugurated between the Trades and
Labor assemblies of the Twin Cities.
The object Of these meetings is to pro-
mote the interests of labor organiza-
ton in both cities, and bring about a
closer union between the two trades
assemblies, which represent the various
allied organizations of each city Mr..
bennett said that when the improve
ment in condition, Of working people
was considered, there could be no
doubt Of advantage of trade unions.
The modern trade union is different
from the original, aiming at the intel
lectual and moral Improvement Of the
worlzingmen as we'll as their material
Improvement. whereas the old union
simply aimed at the latter.
E. E. Stevens, Of Minneapolis, spoke
on the 'Eight-Hour Work Day." say
ing that the reduction in hours means
not only greater social advantages for
the working people, but increased and
superior product for the employers. He
quoted from various authorities, per-
sons who claimed to have fully investi-
gated the subject, to prove this. He did
not think the reduction of hours to
eight per day would result in all the
advantages to which labor is entitled,
but 1t would be a step in that direction.
Assemblyman Johnson was called up
on to tell a story. Mr.. Johnson first
said a few words on the subject of Or
ganization. While not a member of
any labor organization. he is a work
ingman, he said, and fully appreciated
the necessity of labor organizations.
If any. of his friends have flowers to
spred on his coffin when dead, he
would discount them at so cents on the
dollar if they will spread them along
his pathway while alive. Mr.. John
son concluded with a capital story.
After partaking of refreshments, the
programme was resumed, Robert Groh
opening with vocal solo.
John Swift, of Minneapolis, In speak
ing on Labor and Education" said
that in the olden times the kings made
it a point to keep the people in igno-
rance, that they might more easily
keep them in subsection. In support Of
this he referred to the history Of the
Great Britain, and the opposition 1t
met with at the hands Of the aristoc-
racy and landlords. But through the
influence Of few liberal-minded gen
tlemen, like John Bright and Glad
stone, the movement succeeded, and
finally resulted in more liberal legis-
lation for the common people. It was
because of education of the Grecian
peasantry that ancient Greece became
education was neglected that the coun-
try was overrun. Education of the
common people in this country was the
only safeguard of the government. The
labor unions do not desire to destroy
the organization Of society, but they
insist on justice. The werkingmen are
as much entitlsdt9 luxuriies. rs are the
wealthy. Workingmen should go for
ward in the spirit of Christ, showing
charity and kindness to one another.
After a good recitation by H. Gault,
Labor Commissioner L. G. Powers
spoke on Necessary Labor Educa-
ton" He said the great trouble with
working people is the distrust of one
another, and anything that brings
them together is a step toward har-
mony, which is the first requisite to-
ward securing necessary reforms. AS
long as workingmen do not know what
blame legislators for not making laws
in the interest Of labor. There are
certain defects in the child labor leg
islation that need to be remedied. All
children should be taken out of dan
gerous occupations. The present COM
pulsory education act Is defective. If
there is no means of caring for a wild
ow who has to subsist off the results
Of the labor of her child, it would not
be right to prevent that child from
working and compel it to go to school.
Some means should be provided to
care for those so dependent, so that the
child may be sent to school. This
should be the aim of legislation in
the future, and thus would the chill
dren be taken out of competition with
the workingmen.
Mr.. Copeland indorsed the sentiment
of Mr.. Powers, and illustrated the
force Of it bye his, own experience as
the son of a. widow. Mr.. Copeland
concluded with a story that brought
down the house.
George F. Clifford spoke of ''The
Press" in the following language:
The pilot of the good ship, Contentment,
ideal modern newspaper. Its purpose is to
inform, to instruct, to direct its constituency
along the lines of justice, charity and fru-
gality. Its weapons are the weapons of peace
and it's victories areswon without unsheath-
| ing a sword. 1t Is the especial champion OF
| those in every walk of life. who seek fortune
| and happiness in an honorable manner. II
| knows no class; 1t espouses the cause Of nc
sect; 1t spares no culprit. 1t unfurls its
banner at full mast and writes thereon the
| single, simple word truth. It encourages the
weak, cheers the aspiring, warns the turbu-
/ lent and frowns down the violent. The press
| Of today is stronger, braver, better than the
| press Of Yesterday, and I predict that the
| press Of tomorrow will lead that of today in
| power, purity and perspicacity. In behalf Of
the daily newspapers of st. Paul propose