The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-02

Wright, a man who does not favor the
laboring classes, and who holds his po-
sition because he caters to the other
side, in a report made a few years ago,
said that the inventive genius of this
country had been expended in improv-
ing machinery to such a degree that
400, 900 workmen could easily do the
work of nearly 100000 under the old
conditions. Through improvements in
machinery the government has turned
out trampS at the rate of more than
100000 each year.
Trade unions saw the danger and in
the Kansas City convention Of the Am
erican Federation Of Labor, organizers
were instructed to urge the adoption
OF an eight-hour working day. The be-
ginning was made in the national gov
eminent of this country, and through
the efforts of trade unions the working
day of government employees was fix
ed at eight hours Last year the state
Legislature of this commonwealth was
appealed to, and we succeeded in get
ting an apology for an eight hour law
enacted. l call it an apology, because
1t is left in the hands of the board of
aldermen"
I'VE have no aldermen" was the
shout of a gallery enthusiast Mr..
Pierce continued: when that bin was
read by an alderman in the meeting of
the boardH we had no fears. 1t seemed
almost impossible that objection could
be made to it, but one alderman whis-
pered in the ears of his colleagues and
q five to three vote against the bill re-
suited"
WHO was the alderman" asked a
man in the rear of the hall Alder
man Kendall" replied Mr.. Pierce, and
then there was prolonged kissing. 1.-THE
aldermen who voted against that bill
We're silent when challenged to show
reason why they voted nay. Another
attempt was made to have the vote re-
considered at the next meeting of the
board of aldermen. The result was the
same. One alderman had stiffened his
backbone and he explained why he had
taken a stand against the bill.
THAT man was Alderman Kendall"
From out the din of the kissing came a
strong shout, ITO hell with him." Mod
orator Frey called order and suggested
that it was unfair to so consign man.
Mr.. Pierce continued: Alderman Ken
dali said the petition did not emanate
from working men. He said that he
went to work when he was IS years old.
poor boy, and has always been friend
of the laboring man, but not of labor
the city are too low, and that increased
wages to the city employees would
mean increased taxes.
Alderman Kendalrs head evidently
travels along the same lines as the man
who writes letters in a local morning
paper. This man owns property on
Chandler street and thinks it strange
that he does not own the earth. I be-
lieve it safe prediction that investi-
cation would reveal the fact that the
writer of these weird criticisms of the
workngmen, does not pay the taxes
upon his real estate. Ask the tenants in
his Chandler street flats.
If the city cannot afford to pay its
city workmen 50 per day, for Gods sake
let us curtail expenses. An alderman
has admitted that the new speedway is
a gold brick. Employees of the high
way department have had to submit to
cutdown of % cents per day since the
street commissioner entered office. This
rs cents per day cut down was made in
order to create two or three salaried
positions for the street commissioner S
friends.
Alderman Kendall has not the right
or power to deprive voters of the right
to vote upon question of such vital
Importance. Alderman Kendall said
lildL Ont VI lHG ItdSOuS WHY II MOQlu
not be beneficial to have the eight-hour
question made part of the official bal
lot was because the great mass of vot-
ers are not intelligent enough to give
the question the deliberation it deserves.
Il can pick 5000 wage earners in this
city off hand, and I'll bet my head
against a foot ball that any one OF
them could down the alderman in an
argument on this question This meet
ing was called to show the board OF
aldermen that we do want a chance tc
Vote on the eight hour question. II
five men can say you have no right tC
vote on this question, we are on danger
Gus ground. Conditions are not favor
able to anyone when these men reserve
such right for themselves"
Mr.. Pierce asked that the voters care
fully consider the adoption of the fol
lowing resolutions:
Believing that all questions of vita
Importance to the people as a whole
can safely be left in their hands to de.
eide, and also,
Believing that the state legislator.
realized that truth when they wisely
decided that the citizens should by
right decide as to whether the city EN-
ployees should work but eight hours
per day, therefore, be it
INtoOlN GU. L IdL We, Liz CAIlECllS W
Worcester, in general meeting assem-
bled do condemn the aldermen who by
their vote and voice have declared thai
the voters of this city are not possess
ed of sufficient intelligence to decide
the question; be it further
Resolved: That we call upon sale
board of aldermen to rescind theil
vote taken, whereby they refused t.
allow the eight hour law to be submit
ted to the people, and be it further
Resolved: That we demand tha
the city clerk shall be instructed t.
place the above mentioned question OF
the official ballot at the coming NUM-
cipal election for the voters to accep
or reject, and further
Resolved: That a copy of these res
olutions shall be sent to the mayor anC
the board of aldermen and the press.
Clerk Towne read the resolutions
ana A. A. Reed offered an amendment
that the vote be rising. The amend.
ment was adopted.
Before voting could be ordeerd, Thorn
as P. Abbott, socialist orator, removed
his coat and walked to the front of the
auditorium. Standing directly beneath
Moderator Frey, he made demand fol-
recognition, saying that he intended K
add few words on the eight-hour law
Tip" Swan, a well known local EN-.
ployee of construction companies, in.
terruptcd. He moved that Mr.. Abbott
be restricted to speech Of two min.
utes. Moderator Frey ruled that the
point WAS not well taken, but Mr.. Swar
was persistent. Hell spout for ar
hour if you don't shut him off," yelled
Swan.
Moderator Frey motioned Mr.. Abbott
to proceed. Turning to Mr. Swan, he
said: An empty cart always makes the
most noise" and then turning to the
audience he drew himself to full length
and waited for applause, in much the
same manner as an actor solicits favor
from his auditors. There would be
Jingle il the noise if you was in the
cart. You got fired out of Grafton
street for making long winded speech