Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-15
HE is A UNION MAN.
COMMISSIONER MONTAGUE HAS
JOINED THE MACHINIsvs.
TRADES & LABOR COUNCIL WITH HIN.
The Commissioner Endorsed Mt the
Meeting of the Orsanixntion Last
Night--The Action Expected TO
Greatly Help the Bureau.

The differences existing between Mr.
Archer T.. Montague, Commissioners or
Labor. and the Trades and Labor Coun-
Gil. which have been quite sharp, and the
cause OF an interesting controversy, have
been settled.
The Trades and Labor Council, which
means, really. the organized labor OF the
city. has been making the fact that Mr..
Montague was not a member of labor
union the subject OF earnest discussion
at the meetings OF several weeks past
It was argued that the Commissioner or
Labor should, almost of necessity, be
union-labor man. Mr.. Montague was not.
He is now.
PEACEMAKING RESOLUTION.
The following resolution, adopted at the
meeting of the council last night. shows
that the Commissioner is in good stand
ing with his brethren once more:
Whereas. we have heard with great
deal Of regret that the Hon. Arcner
Montague. Labor Commissioner OF Nlr-
ginia. has been unfairly criticised In re-
| ference to his position toward the labor
interest of this State: therefore be II 4.
Resolved by the Richmond Trades and
Labor Council, !, That the statement
made in some sections OF the community
| that Mr. Montague is non-unlon man u
| incorrect. for he IS at present MENU
of the international Association OF Ma
chinists. and has deposited MS card WIN
| the Richmond Lodge.
? That we believe he Is seeking &c
promote the best interests Of the laboring
/ mon of the State in an honest, cOnSerVd-
| tive manner
! 2. THAT we pledge him our support as
! long as he continues to carry forward the
work for which the bureau was establish
ed. and call upon all the labor assocla-
| lions I'm the State to assist him IN TINS
| great work.
| THERE WAS no DISSENT.
The resolutions were unanimously adopt
| cd by the large meeting, composed of rep
resentatives from the Moulders Cigar
| makers, Machinists, Bolermakers, an'
Tailors. President Murphy LEFT the chall
to present the resolutions, and ne an'
| one or two other members strongly al
vocated their passage. referring 10 th'
Commissioner I'm the highest terms IRE
viously. the subject was discussed NJ con
siderable length. and the resolutions were
the legitimate outcome Of the general dis
cussion.
1t has always been the opinion OF thos'
most familiar with the attitude OF th'
Commissioner that he was In thorough
sympathy with organized labor. He wa
a member Of the International Ma
chiaists. but when he quit working
that trade TO do mechanical draughting
! he allowed his membership in the Ma
chinlsts' Union TO lapse. Since the Labo
! Council commenced making his non-af
fuation subject Of discussion he ha
deposited his card with the Richmond
Union. This has been done within tn
past few days
WILL HELP THE BUREAU.
II Is believed that the action OF the
Trades and Labor Council will cause the
organized labor Of the State TO rally t1
the support Of the Bureau Of Labor. y
member of the council stated last nigh
that the unions would give Mr.. Montague
their most earnest support in his efforts
To make the bureau useful TO laborlng
mems interests.
The unions Of Richmond arc in moro
nourishng condition than for some time
New members are being constantly add
ed. The Boilermakers' and Machinists
are i'm a specially fourishing condition
and the Machinists' and NoUlders' are
doing especially well. 20.