River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-09
OBSERVE LABOR DAY.
Notable Parade Of Workingmen in
Cbicago-Bryan at ST. Louis.

thicaGo-Bryan at 81. Louis.
Chicago, Sept. Filing between vast
throngs of applauding citizens. cheered
by lusty lungs and inspired by the
martial music of % bands, 10000 cf
Chicago's sturdy sons of toll marched
through the streets in honor of labor's
great day. Business was suspended,
aud the vast majority of The down
town stores were closed. but their en-
ployes, as rule. did not mingle with la
boris cohorts.
ST. Louis. Sept. THE feature of La
Dor day celebration in this city Monday
was an address by Hon. W. j. Bryan
at Concord Park. The biggest crowd
ever seen in the park greeted the speak
CT His speech throughout was enthu-
siGstically applauded. Previous to the
meeting Mr.. Bryan reviewed parade of
y 900 laboring men. Mr.. Bryan spoke
in part as follows:
''Hhe labor orga nizations have been one
of the most potent influences in IMPROVING
the condition of the wage-earners. Labor
organizations are almost entirely respOn-
sible for the fact that skilled labor wages
have rot fallen as much as prices. although
they have not always succeeded in keep
ing employment up to full time. While
giving to these organizations credit for
what they have done. 1t is only fair to sug-
gest that neither labor organizati tons nor
any other form of protection can secure TO
the laborer permanent immunity If the
general level of prices continues to fall.
The idle man is the menace to the man
who has employment, and the uumber of
idle men must necessarily increase If we
have a money system which constantly
raises the value of the dollar and con-
stantly lowers the market value Of the
products of labor. Arbitration of differ
ences between large corporate employers
and their employees Is one of the political
reforms most needed by wage-earners. I'm
sil arbitration is secured the strike is the
only weapon within the reach OF labor.
Society al large is interested i'm the appli-
cation of the principle of arbitration TO the
differences which arise from time TO time
between corporations and the employees.
"Laboring people have a special interest
just now IN securing relief from what is
APPLY described IS government by injunc-
ton The extent to which the writ of in
junction has been abused within recent
years has aroused hostility which is al
most universal 1t is only a question of
time when government by injunction will
be cured by legislation. The main purpose
of the writ of injunction is to avoid trial
by jury. Trial by jury smore important 10
the American people to-day than Il ever
was before in American history. II was
originally intended as protection against
the royalty and 1t is to-day the main pro-
lection of the people against plutocracy.
which is TO the country what royalty is
under monarchial form of government"
At night the champion of the silver
cause was given reception at the JEFF
ferson club. At least 5000 people at
tended during the evening and many OF
these were given an opportunity of
meeting Mr.. Bryan.
Philadelphia, Sept. 7-Crushing out
of government by injunction" the mu-
ricipal ownership of gas and water
plants and street railways, the govern
ment ownership of coal mines, tele-
graph service and railroads, and the
establishment of postal savings banks
these were the keynotes with which
John p. Altgeld sounded a grim warn
ing and pointed a moral Monday after
noon. Altgeld was the principal speak
er at meeting of workingmen held I'M
der the auspices of the Union Labor
league at Washington park on the Del
aware Thousands listened to him and
applauded his speech.
Pittsburgh, Pa, Sept. labor day
was not observed generally in Pitts
burgh. All the mills, factories and
other industrial establishments with
but few exceptions, were running as
usual, and but few workmen laid off
10 celebrate the day. The Labor day
picnic and mass meeting held at Cal
houn park under the auspices of Local
Union No. 6, brotherhood of Painters
and Decorators, was the only public
demonstration during the day. Be
tween 5000 and 1000 people were in at
tendance at the park during the after
noon and evening. Addresses on vari-
Gus phases of the labor question were
delivered from the platform in the
open air by w. J. Brennan, James F.
Burke and Joseph Howley.