The Saint Paul globe., 1899-06-29
In NlABOR'S
.... . field

In tracing the rise ana progress of the
trades movement, Mr.. Sam M. Letting
we'll, in the American Federationist, has
the following to say;
In our own America the development
of modern trade unionism is OF meas
urably recent date; in fact, 1t has grown
to its present gratifying status from a
passable condition OF chaos, WITHIN the
memory of the writer, who views with
unutterable pride the promising stability
of a movement to which he has been a
ferVent deVotee and an ardent advocate
OF its holy principles for 4 period cover
ing half a century.
Among the printers We find the first
society in New York, in 1909, which is
still in existence 1t was not what We
call a union. but was more for social
than economic purposes. The first sub
stautial effort for :. union organization
Of the present status NIs that Of IS
ton, followed closely by New York City,
in January, of 1850, Local ~ biographical
societies were in existence about this
time in seVeral5of sthe large cities OF the
United States, and the first meeting of a
NATIONAL CHARACTER was held IN New York
tinued its meetings annually, and now
finds itself of international character,
with over 400 local unions ard q MEM
bership of nearly 10000 members in good
standing.
The textile workers also found it's FIRST
formation in 1850; the coal miners In 1857
1ronworkers, 1858; railroad engineers, first
In 1854. present Brotherhood, 1863; fire.
men, 1873; brakemen. 1888; switchmen
1877; conductors, 1868; carpenters and
joiners had many locals prior to 1854, or
ganized national of it's present substan-
tial standing in 1881.
The bricklayers and masons had had
many local organizations but did not
institute a national until 1865 Following
these the iron molderS. machinists mine
workers of minerals, boot and shoe work
ers, boilermakers, blacksmiths, bookbind-
erS. cigarmakerS. garment workers
granite cutters, hatters, iron and steel
workers. printing pressmen, plumbers
mule spinners, tailors. tobacco workers,
wood workers and innumerable other
trades have stepped in the wake of eco
nomical development, until almost every
branch of mechanics and labor is being
united In brilliant and substantial ga
laNy of freemen bound together in the
sacred ties of fealty, friendship and fra
ternity.
Indianapolis Ball Team Boycotted.
committee from the Trades and La
Dor assembly recently waited upon Man
ager Comiskey, of the st. Paul Base Ball
club, and informed him that, according
boycott would be declared against all
games played in St. Paul between the
local nine and the Indianapolis club, un-
less a certain matter in the latter city
could be satisfactorily adjusted 1t ap-
pears that the management OF the IN
dianapolis club refused job of painting
TO the indianapolis Painters union, and
gave the work out to non-union painters
On that account a boycott was declared
against the indianapolis players, and the
st. Paul unions have been asked to ex-
tend the same to this city. Manager
Comiskey was Informed that if he could
have the matter satisfactorily adjusted
in Indianapolis the home boycott wcu'
be abandoned. Comiskey replied that he
was powerless to influence the private af-
fairs of the Indianapolis club, and, hence
the boycott by the St Paul unions is
now declared on.
PlHsterers IndOrse Union Label.
President ]. H Wilson presided at the
meeting last evening of St Paul Plas-
teFers' Union No. 20, and. in the; absence
of Recording Secretary John PurVis, Vice
President Ed Christian acted in his stead
1t was decided to meet the first and tn; ;rd
Wednesdays of each month hereafter in
stead of once a week. The acting secre-
tary was instructed to notify all mem
beTs to be present at the first meeting in
July, as important business would come
before the union. From July the initia-
ton fee will be $25 instead of $15, the
present fee charged for initiation. The
committee from the Trades and Labor as
sembly, agitating in favor of the use of
the union label, was indorsed. All union
plasteTers were reported at work Re
ceipts of the evening, SIS. 40; expenses, 81.
AmalGamated WOOdwOrkers.
Amalgamated Woodworkers' Union No
40 held meeting last evening in Hall No.