The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-04-28
LABoR'S PLEA.
Federation Presents a Memorial to
prexid dent. Cabinet and Congress.

President. Cabinet and Congress.
Washington. April 23.-The following
memorial has been presented to the
president and members of the cabinet
by the executive council of the Fedora
ton of Labor. 1t bears the signatures
of the following members of the ex-
ecutive council: Samuel Gompers, 2. j.
Mcclure, James Duncan, James OCon-
nell, NJ. NJ. Garland, John 3. Lennon
and Frank Morrison:
ITO the President, Cabinet and Congress
of the United States of ica:-Genue-
men: Multitudes of our working people
American citiZenS-at this hour are SUI
fering humliating poverty and countless
privations and look TO you for speedy re-
lief. Last fall they were promised help
ful legislation, and they expect 1t from you
without unnecessary delay. In no party
spirit we appeal to you to heed their wants
and to promptly meet this unparalleled
situation in the true spirit or American
patriotism.
with industry paralyzed, trade stag
nant values depressed and Shrunken. with
enterprise stified and the productive power
of labor palsied. with our commerce list
less on the seas and our immense resources
| blighted, we bid you haste the return OF
better times, TO inspire confidence and
bring cheer and comfort to the homes Of
the millions of citizens who now seek Work
and wages in vain
I'm the name of the producers in shop
| and factory, in mill and mine, in the fields
and on our lakes and seas, in behalf OF the
| toilers out of work and of those under
| paid we urge on you the necessity OF legis-
| lative relief. The destiJutson among the
| honest proud and industrious people OF
| cur land, though half hidden, is ever IN
| creasing and becoming more and more ap-
! palling. The hopes they had are fast turn
| ing TO gloomy despair.
Invention, machinery, the subdivision OF
1 labor and the countless labor-dispensing
appliances TO cheaper production, even III
the best of times, disturb the permanency
/ of employment, tend to reduce ges and
/ intensity competition in nearly every field
| of labor. Added to this the unrestricted
/ flow Of immigration from abroad, the or
ganiZation Of trusts, the Capitalization and
! concentration Of capital in the manifold
/ industries-an make the existence of the
workingman more hard and precarious.
/ These changing conditions, unknown in
1 cur forefaIhers' times, must be met not
1 by promises broken to the hopes, but by
I substantial and remedial legislation at the
hands of congress.
I'VE therefore most respectfully memo
rialize the president, cabinet and congress
! of the United States for the enactment OF
| these measures:
/ 81 Amendment to the federal eight-hour
law to secure its practical enforce
| ment on all public works by or for the
1 United States government, whether done
! by contract, subcontract or days work.
I'VE are sternly opposed to the evasions
| and violations of the present eight-hour
| law by the heads of the Departments and Of
ficials in the federal service.
''2. A renlodeling Of our immigration
| laws so as to secure ar enlarged protection
| to American citizens and their families.
SO. Reform in the national banking Sys-
tenn and in the issuance of the currency OF
the United States so as TO secure the peo-
pie from the possibilities and disasters OF
financial crisis.
"a. Liberal appropriations for govern
n1ent public works and for the improve
ment of rivers and harbors.
BY prompt adoption Of these relief
! measures at the hands Of congress we firm
~ believe some degree Of prosperity may
| be restored and the conditions Of the peo-
pie bettered. We assure you the millions
/ are now in no disposition to be trif1ed
| with. They are fast becoming desperate
and deep are their mutterings of discon-
tent. They desire to realize some of the
prosperity so freely promised on the stump
six months ago.
| Over 3,0O00 900 willing workers are idle:
! shall they appeal to you in vain? Shall
the interests of trusts, syndicateS, monop-
olies, corporations and moneyed men re-
main of more importance than the well
fare Of the toilers? We trust not. We still
/ believe the peoples representatives are not
dead to the public welfare. We ask that
they rise TO the patriotism of this great
/ occasion and hasten to bring relief to the
masses Of their fellow citizens