The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-20
ADVICE GIVEN TO
WORKING CLASSES.
Orators at a Dollar Dinner Say Time
Has Come For Emancipation
of People Who Toll.

hhSPAA'S VI iilf NOfklnEfntn, was nelu
last night at the Grand Central palace.
The dinner was not as largely attended
as the one given by the Chicago plat
form Democrats in the same place on
the preceding Saturday night. about 1900
men and women being present.
The striking difference between these
dinners was the seating of the guests of
honor last night on the platform. where
they were plainly visible TO everybody
i'm The hall.
A small orchestra discoursed music
from one of the boxes. There were IA
vacant seats at the guests OF honor table.
There We're few persons In evening dress.
md men in we'll worn suits OF various
styles were numerous. The women. who
were about equal in number TO the men.
sat at the tables on the main floor.
The toasts and speakers were as fol-
lcw5: Municipal Ownership OF Public
Franchises" Mayor Jones: What a
Just Economic System Would DO. For
Women" Charlotte y. Stetson: The
Foes Which Beset Movements In the
Interests OF the People" Rev. Edward
W. McGlynn; Practical Adjustment of
Social Problems" y. o. Nelson; "All
Government Derives Its Powers From
the Consent Of the Governed" william
Il. Emmet: Thomas Jefferson" William
j. Bryan.
The menu comprised vegetable soup
haddock. egg sauce; roast beef. roast
turkey. cranberry sauce; pickles; ice
cream. cake and coffee.
John Brisben Walker called the as
scmblage to order DR.. McGlynn saying
grace.
In the course OF the dinner, Chairman
Walker arose and asked all TO drink To
the memory OF Those heroes who on
April 10. l24 years ago, gave up their
lives for that liberty, the danger 10 which
Is the occasion for your gathering here
tonight" All rose and drank while the
band played "The Star Spangled Ban
ner." An oil painting of Jefferson was
placed before the table of the guests of
honor. and Chairman Walker began the
speaking lie said in part:
This coming together tonight OF more
than 2000-ef the workingmen Of New
York to listen TO the exercise OF the right
OF free speech is the first coming to-
gether of workingmen upon that plat
form which is destined 10 control the
mind OF future generations. the broad
platforms of sympathy with the inter-
ests OF our fellowmen. Ii Is the first
coming together OF men destined TO es-
tablish that broad demarkation OF those
who work from those who contribute no
useful labor TO the general product"
Chairman Walker introduced Mayor
Jones OF Toledo. who said in part: The
evils of the contract system are the evils
OF special privileges. Any system adopt
ed by society, either as custom or law,
that grants to one man, or set OF men, a
privilege that is by force Of circlm-
stances denied to other men, is denial
OF the equality guaranteed to the people
in the declaration OF independence and
therefore Is a violation OF divine justice.
I'm every city that has adopted public
ownership OF public utilities the contract
system and franchise system VIII both
disappear. If the workingmen and
masses are In economic slavery today 1t
Is because there has been party slavery.
and in every succeeding election the
workingmen have been the dupes OF
schemers. who sought to serve only their
own ends / believe that workingmen
can no longer be rallied with the mere
hue and cry of. Be Democrat or be
Republican, Let the platform that
commands the votes of the workingmen
and reform forces be definite and posi-
tive LOT luoSt tniliSS titot NC hiN" oit
essential to liberty, such as equal oppor-
tunities for all. the abolition of the con-
tract system the substitution Of the
eight-hour day and the recognition OF
organized labor in all skilled depart
ments and let us repudiate any platform
that does not involve every one Of these
principles"
IF anyone tells you that we reformers
destroy the right of property tell
him il Is not true. We would give to
cvcry industrial corporation just what
Il produces No government has a right
TO give away 4 right or franchise created
by the people in perpetuity, and posterity
has a right TO spit upon such a grant"
n. O. Nelson Of st. Louis spoke next.
He said in part: There are several
functions OF government One Is the
policeman's club and the notice TO keep
off the grass. The ownership O. public
utilities by the public is another form
OF government which l heartily believe
in and favor. I am with Colonel Bryan.
the grand standard bearer of the people"
william T. Emmet was the next
speaker. He said In part: I'VE have
met here tonight to see among other
things IL we cannot agree upon the kind
OF Americanism that il is safe for the
plain people of the country to adhere to.
the kind OF patriotism to which the
American workingmen can give mis- un-
qualified assent. We are none OF US. I
take IL, opposed to national growth. or 10
legitimate expansion But the forclble
acquisition OF such dependencies as the
Philippines is not a real national growth.
However we'll meant no reform move-
ment which dces pot originate among
the elements Of our population who pre-
dominate here tonight can accomplish
lasting good"
I. air. Emmett closed with a reference to
Mr. BRYAN. IL created n tremendous
amount OI entnuslaslh, ana then toiowes
another demonstration similar to that
given to Mr.. Bryan Saturday night. II
continued for some moments. and some
one shouted. God bless you, Billy boy"
whereat the crowd again yelled and
cheered for several moments.
Mr.. Bryan had 10 raigc his Land many