The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-04
THE CAUSE or LABOR.
Interesting Meeting Of the Central Labor
Union Of Southeast Virginia.
THE HARBOR IMPROVEMENT ENDORSED
Suitable Resolutions Un;i nj nnomsIy
Doli""sJ. OF Richmond, and Dulii.
wan. OF MISUNDERSTANDING
Convention Discussed.
Unanimously I.


VIM, OF I:aitimorc-Constitu tional
Convention Discussed.
When the Central Labor Union was
called 10 order In special session last
night by President Lyons there was not
9 vacant seat in the Spacious hall, corner
Church ana Cove streets
Inc president stated the special object
OF The meeting to be the consideration OF
a grievance from tho Tailors' union
against Main street merchant tailor
but as the complaining union neglected
to properly prepare it's grievance action
was deferred 10 future day.
MIR JAMES II. SULLIVAN.
y public meeting was then held and
President Lyons introduced as the first
speaker James III. Sullivan, of Baltimore,
general president or the brotherhood of
Painters and Decora tors, who is here
for the purpose OF organizing the paint
ers and decorators Of this city. Mr.. Sui
Ivan interestingly entertained the gath
erng fer nearly an hour. He paid u
glowing tribute to the work accomplish
ed by the Central Labor Union during
the past Year. and suggested that an
eifor; be made to affiliate with The
American Federation OF Labor. There
was great need for Organization in the
South, he said, and added that by reason
tn: section, cotton mills and other man
ufactor.cs have been Induced to move
South
All. Sullivan dwell at some length on
the GOOD work accomplished by the la
Dor unions in securing needed legislation
IN many States, and cited ali instance
where children were being worked in
some mills seventy-two hours per week
CONVICT LABOR
The cause Of SO large a number Of
shoemakers being out OF employment,
said the speaker. was because convict
Ia Dor came in competition with honest
labor. y great many men We're unem-
plqyed in Maryland by this cause, and
some had been forced 10 ask employment
at convict scale-29 cents a day. This
was because the shoemaker's bill had
been pigeon hoied. lie told Of the eff
fo:t being made by the unions and the
l.. \. ". TO make them work on the
public roads. During the last election
the workingmen asserted themselves
and as reward secured the office of
State statistician, and his services had
been OF great value already in presenting
labo"'s true condition.
HORRIBLE CONDITION..
The condition Of some or the work
inEmcn in this city was horrible II
was something he had not been In the
habit OF seeing, although there was
more suffering III Baltimore than any
other city. IN Boston and other larger
cities the workinSmen We're put to work
cleaning the streets Of snow. Every good
movement inaugrratcd was carried TO
successful Issue by organized labor. He
stated that he was here in The interest
or the painters and decorators Their
condition was not as good rs in times
past. and ii was in 4 large measure
their own fault. He wanted nothing
but ttrst-class workmen to join 1t was
q i1n ,tI1n
inferior mechanics. The average wages
paid throughout the country was $15
weekly, and in some cases more accord
Ing TO ability, bu, in Norfolk it was any
where from So Per week up. He said
that the average painter only worked
about seven months in the wear. and
they should be paid enough for the sew
en- months to sustain them for twelve
The man who was trying to do q legiti-
mate business was crowded out by I'M
fair employers, who underDid them on
account or cheap labor. By the Journey
man and the employer working together
they could contro! the best shops and
thus be more remune:ative TO both. They
only asked 4 fair days pay
for fair days work. Men
no business in the organization.
The painters only receive $3.50 per day
for ten hours because they had no organ
izltion n man should be able to earn
4-.oo ana S!Fe Il fa1r profit at that price.
Any employer knows that it is to his ad-
VantaEa 20 employ first class help be-
cause it had n tandecy to keep his trade;
whereas il inferior workmen were en-
ployed, they would in time lose their
business.
THANKS no THE UNION. /.
lie extended thanks to Central Labor
Union for the many courtrSies eXt ended
aim during his stay. Hc was heartily
applaudcd and listened 10 with great at
tentiOn. t'#t isIZtf
president Lyons then introduced Mr.
j. Is. Dougherty, president Of The Trade
and Labor Council Of Richmond He
stated that his mission In Norfolk was
for the purpose Of talking to organize
labor. but made especial reference TO the
condition Of the painters iii his city be-
fore and after organization. While their
scale of prices was continued their UNI
ion continued. After a time they grew
careless and one by one dropped cut
and finally surrendered their charier
The employers We're not 5. W to realize
the condition Of affairs and take adyan-
taSe OF the same. Hence Tile painters Oi
that city to-day only recaive 81 per cay
and were Slad To set that. i; 'ery labor
ing man should be wilin. to hclp his
fellow man and make HIN What he
should bean honor 10 his craft ana a
good workman. II they wished to bcne-
fit themselves they Should seek organi-
cation. X was the only thing Shat would
give relief and benefit their condition.
"a, x<