Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-15
sTONEcUTTERs PROTEST.

- ~ . .
the Insane Hospital WORK.
These resolutions were adopted at
a meeting of the Rock Island branch
of the Journsymen Stonecutters' as
ISOLATION of North America last even
ing:
Whereas, By the wise provision
Of the trustees for the insane hospital
about to be erected in this county, q
pro vision was inserted in the speci-
fications for said hospital. that none
but union labor should be employed
on said hospital, and,
Whereas, The people of this coun-
ty, through their board of supervis-
ors and their merchants and BUSH
ness men have subscribed and given
towards the purchase of the grounds
for said hospital and the erection
thereof. large sums OF money, with
the expectation that the building of
said hospital would give consid cradle
employment to the laboring classes of
this county; and
Whereas, BY the report of the
committee appointed by this body to
investigate whether or not the
Peoria Steam Marble works, to which
the cutting of the stone on said hos
pital is about to be sub-let was q
non-union shop. have Investigated
and reported that the said Peoria
Steam Marble works is a non-union
shop, and employs nothing but non
union labor; and
Whereas, By the rules, regula-
tions and bylaws of the Journeymen
Stonecutter's association of North
America, it is provided that no union
stone cutter is allowed to work on
any stone which is not to be used in
the Jurisdiction in which it is cut.
and in the present case the CITY of
Peoria is outside the jurisdiction in
which the insane hospital about to
be erected in this county is located,
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Rock Island
Branch of the Journeymen Stonecut-
ter's association of North America, in
meeting assembled protest against
the actiou OF the contractors. Ed
wards e. Walsh, in violating that pro-
vision OF the specifications which
prohibited non-union labor being en-
ployed on said hospital. That we
appeal to merchants and business
men and people generally of the
county of Rock Island, to enter their
protests against the action of said
contractors. That q committee be
appointed to wait on Trustee Medill
and lay before him the report of the
committee appointed to investigate
the standing Of the said Peoria Steam
Marble works. and that copy OF
these resolutions be deli vered to
him.
Appeal to the Governor.
This morning Richard C. Lloyd
and Thomas A. Cox went to Spring.
field to explain the situation to Gov.
Altgeld aud ask him not to approve
OF the contract between the commits.
sioners and the Edwards & Walsh
Construction company until the lat.
ter recognize the provisions of the
contract that the stone for the build
ings be cut on the ground and by
union labor. Trustee Medill will
also be waited on with reference tc
the matter and every honorable effort
will be made to have the contractors
act as they were supposed to.
| w. II. Edwards, of the Edwards &
Walsh Construction company, said
this morning that he knew very little
about the matter, but that as far as
his company was concerned it would
carry out every stipulation of the
contract. George Baker of the same
company stated that no subcontrac,
would be let which would involve
the engagement. Of nonunion men.
The resolutions Of the Stonecut.
turs' union set forth their position
fully, and The ARGUS has but to re-
peat the position assumed by it yes.
terday, that the stone should be Gu,
on the ground, and that no subcon-
tract should be approved which
would involve contrary provision.
The stone cutters are right and JUS
tilted in the stand they have taken
and public sentiment here sustains
them fully.
Trustee Medill stated this after
noon that the sub-contract bad beer
let to the Peoria Steam Marble works
and that company had given bond
for $4,000 to employ only union
labor, but that the stone would have
to be machine cut. or tho buildings
could not be built of stone.