The San Francisco call., 1897-09-07
Metropolitan Temple Filled
With Workmen and Their
Families.
SPIRIT THlT MOVES THE PEOPLE.
Socialists Were Present and Took an
Active Interest in the
Meeting.

Under the auspices of the Building
Trades Council and the San Francisco
Labor Council one of the largest and most
enthusiastic Labor-day celebrations of this
City was held last evening in Metropoli.
tan Temple. A large bonfire on Marke.
and Fifth streets directed the way to the
place of meeting and by 8 O'clock the
| hall was we'll filled from the platform to
the top row in the gallery. While it was
strictly labor union gathering, still there
was very large number of socialists i n
the hall, and they made their presence
manifest by their applause when matters
with an economic bearing were touched
upon. Such occasions were not infre-
quent, especially during the address OF
DR.. Bliss.
J. Hill of the Labor Council, chairman,
opened the meeting by giving the history
of Labor day in CaIi!ornI and why in this
State 1t was changed 10 the first Wednes-
day in September, SO as to be the same as
the Labor day all over the Union. He
made a vigorous attack upon politicians
in general and those of the last Legis
ture in particular, sparing neither party.
His next point was upon the wave of pros
perity, which he declared had not yet ar
rived. The rise in wheat attracted the
chairman's attention, and he said that the
rise simply meant higher price for bread
Tor the labOrlng man. Those who proht
mostly by this rise are the sharks of Wall
street, who wax wealthy and prosper by
it. He hoped tnat the time is not far off
when it would be considered criminal to
gam BILE upon the necessities OF the human
race. In conclusion he urged all those
who do not belong to the unions OF their
trades to join and help along the cause OF
working humanity.
He was followed by bass solo by ]. A
McAulifie emitted Jerusalem" His
effort was highly appreciated, as he has a
magni ficent voice. Upon the encore he
gave 1.-The sword OF bunker Hill"
Andrew Furuseth OF the Coast Seamen' s
Union opened an interesting address by
saying that his remarks would necessarily
be gloomy because his subject was Labor S
Struggle" in which he would have to re-
view the situation of the past year. He
said:
Ii by setting aside this one day in the year
as Labor day ii was intended that we should
for the day put away all ther considerations
and let our thoughts dwell on the condition
OF those who produce the worlds wealth-and
1t seems TO me that such must have been the
intentiOn-then it follows that to-day we are
to review the past year, to tairly face our own
shortcomings and failures, to probe such sue
cess as may have come 10 our efforts. look as
we may into the future, 10 meas
ure the obstacles, look them resoluteiy i'll the
face and ii possible indicate some means of
solution.
The last year has been one of special strug-
gle, millions of unemployed, starvation ana
want Reduction has followed reduction in
wages strikes have followed strikes, some
against reduc ion, some for the simple right to
organize, some to remain organized, some for
an increase and some again to pres 9rve the
freedom of speech ana The right of public as
semhly to discuss grievance and petition for
lznd fhnIr
chances were so much superior that Jnose who
had The best organization have arrived at the
present stage In the depression with the
standard OF wages, and largely the standard OF
living, unimpaired Organization has spread
rapidly during the past year. but the forces in
opposition have become more solid and more
clearly defined.
The consciousness of wrongs suffered has
been spreading, but it IS also coming TO be
more and more understood that the cause OF
labor is the cause OF humanity, OF democracy
of equality, freedom and justice. The world
al large is growing In recognition OF the fact
that the power OF the few and the servitude OF
the many is equally debasing to all; that 1t Is
tyrann ical ana unchristian.
Disorgauized labor is of necessity servile
labor where the means of life are held by
private individuals. As the land becomes
necessary 10 production become more expen-
sive and pass out of the laborer's possession
the la aborer becomes dependent, tramp-or
a unionist. The ownership OF the means OF
ITSELF The uncrowned king OF to-day knows
this and is using it to the full extent of his
power.
wear YOU will have noted that universities
and colleges are controlled by endowment is /;
professors with inconvenient ideas OF eco
Monies are dis missed the pulpit is controlled
through the pew, the press through Its adver-
tising columns, the legal profession through
patronage and office, the small business man
through his creditor, and now it is proposed
to expurgate the poets of tue past. 1t is thus
that ''the virus OF wealth burrows through
every safeguard and fills the holes with mag
gots of its own making" According to our
present policy he is d good judge who extends
the jurisdiction of his court, and he is u valu-
a BILE officer who extends the power of his own
department Usurpation follows usurpation
until absolutism is complete.
The audience loudly applauded the
recitation, Tom orrow at 10,' by Miss
Freda Gallick who wss repe atedly re-
called.
Nj loo, rlassino wera tho me1odious