The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-27

The mass meeting of the painters,
paper hangers and decorators in Null
ler's hall last night brought out as it's
feature the fact that the Building
Trades union of this city are already
preparing to make stand for the
eight hour day in this city next spring.
and from the remarks of the speaker
Of the evening, ]. H. Sullivan, of Mass
| achusets, it may be inferred that the
combined unions will use every infiu-
ence to bring about the fewer hours
| for working
Mr.. Sullivan Is general president of
the Painters union, and he came here
| to address and assist particularly
unions 11s and 21s, of this city, His
| home is in Springfield, Mass, but his
| business headquarters are in Balti-
more.
Another interesting number on the
programme last night was the efforts
of two representatives of the striking
miners at Pittsburg to collect funds
| to continue the struggle. These
men are Adam Fox and w. w. Plaster
er The latter made a striking appeal
for help.
MR.. THOMAS WAS CHAIRMAN.
The meeting was not largely attend
ed, Philip II. Thomas, the first speak,
er, attributed the peucity to the dog
fight in Laurel Hill park" Mr. Thorn
as was introduced by the chairman
of the evening. Before conclud-
ing his speech, Mr.. Thomas gave
his labor ticket a boom. He said he
wasn't going to introduce party poll
tics, but you all KNOW" he said, that
the government of this city is rotten"
There were murmurs of assent in the
audience. And" he concluded, "now
is an elegant opportunity to put men
on our school board who will not dis
criminate against the working man,
and men in councils who will look after
our interests"
Peter Holton also spoke. He advo-
Gated union and bewailed the fact that
the non-union men reap just as fully
the benefits of successful strike as do
the union men.
General President Sullivan was
greeted with applause. He began at
first to show that every legislation of
benefit to the workingman originated
in the assembly rooms of unions. In
commenting on Mr.. Thomas political
ideas, President Sullivan told a story
| VI al lcDOl man WIO ran OlllCe
received 2S out of $500 labor votes.
This dampening illustration ended the
subject for the night.
EIGHT-HOUR MOVEMENT.
President Sullivan then made his first
reference to the promised fight for
eight hours in this city. He said: THE
carpenters are already making prepar-
alton for it. 1 learn that the carpen-
ters have 400 men enrolled. This is two
thirds of their number in this city. But
two-thirds can't win," argued Presi-
dent Sullivan; you must be united and
every man must be at the front" Con-
tinuing: The time has come for you
to make the demand. If you don't
stand now the result will be that in the
spring they will either make a reduc-
tion in your wages or shove another
hour onto you. The time is ripe fol-
the demand"
In another part of his speech Presi,
dent Sullivan further encouraged the
painters to stand out when the time
comes for the eight-hour day, land,
re said, ''if it becomes necessary the
funds of the national organization viii
be placed at your disposal" This re.
mark was met with deafening cheers
and clapping of hands.
President Sullivans speech was in.
teresting throughout. lie talked prin.
cipally or matters concerning the paint.
ers' trade. His visit to Scranton wa.
the beginning of a tour through the
western states in the interest of the
organization.
APPEAL FOR MINERS.
After President Sullivan had con
cluded Mr.. Plastererthe miners rep
resentative, was introduced. He is
grey-haired, infirm old man, and il
speaking has a style of his own. Hi
. opening remarks We're in the line o
a tribute to union. He then told how
he had worked in the mines since h,
was five years old, at which age h,
; was taken in on his brothers back.
The aged champions direct remarks
on the Pittshurg strike We're interest
ing. He said: I'VE are on strike ou