Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-19
GEORGE CHANCE DEAD.

A Former Resident of Wilmington, Who
Became One of the Leading Advocates
of Organized Labor.
George Chance, who for large part
of his life was among the most earnest,
the foremost and most honest cham
pions of organized labor, died at his
home, No. SS4 North Twenty sixth
street, Philadelphia, Sunday after
noon after an illness of some months.
His ailment was diagnosed by his
physician, DR.. Deaver, as cancer of
the stomach.
George Chances career was notable.
He was born in Staffordshire, Eng,
June Goth, 1913, and came to America
with his parents when hut s. years of
age. His parents established their
home in Wilmington, in 1852, and it
was in this city that Mr.. Chance
began his first newspaper venture in
the year 1865, establishing weekly
publication.
Failing to make the enterprise sue.
cessful after five years trial Mr..
Chance went to Philadelphia in 1870
and with q few intermittent periods
resided there until he died. He be-
came connected with the Record in
1883 and continued with that paper
until 1894, when be assumed charge of
the work of the tAmerioan Press Asso-
citation. In later years he conducted a
job printing establishment of his own
at No. 15 North Thirteenth street.
Mr.. Chance was always the close
friend and advocate of organized labor
lie was lending member of Typo
graphical Union, No. 2, of Philadel-
phia, which organization celebrated its
50th anniversary june I'd, 1900, and OF
the Allied Printing Trades Council OF
that city, and always took prominent
part in the affairs Of the associations,
having been president OF the Typo
graphical Union from March Both,
1892, until July 2Sth, 1897.
When the knights of Labor exerted
a commanding influence in the world
of labor, from the year 1884 to 1891,
Mr.. Chance was a leader in the order
and acquired reputation throughout
the country as the champion of the
cause OF the working classes. His
services were in frequent demand and
he never denied a request when it was
at all possible to comply with its terms.
| His work in CONNECTION With the Legis
lative Committee having in charge
| measures in which labor is directly
| Interested, such us the eight hour law,
| the bi-monthly pay law and the arbi
/ tration law, was tax upon his health
| 1t was during the regime of the
| knights of Labor that Mr.. Chance,
reputation as labor leader reached
| its zenith, his name being familial
| throughout the country. So poten
| was his influence that in 1882 h'
| secured the Endorsements from labo
organizations in 27 States and tw,
| Territories for the position of Pubii'
| Printer, under President Cleveland, ,
position for which he was admirabl.
| fitted, having acquired valuable typo
graphical experience in the composing
rooms of several of the leading news
papers of Philadelphia. But despit
this backing, the position was granted
to another. Mr.. Chance twice repre-
sented the Philadelphia Typographica
Union at international conventions
and at the Washington convention
came within one vote Of the rresidenc,
of the international body.
Probably the most signal service
which he ever rendered to workmen
organized and unorganized was tn
unrelenting and successful fight whicl
he engaged against the 'pluck me-
stores ia the Wilkesbarre, Upper Lehigl
and Schuylkill mining districts.
| As a speaker on labor questions, Mr
Chance was always in demand. II
was a brusoue and forcible talker
with an ability to go direct to tn
issue at stake in marked contrast I
the rambling loguacity Of any agitators
George Chance was not an agitato
of the viiulent tyre. He was stron
advocate of arbitration, and invariabl
opposed strike, except as a measur
Of last resort, and be was instrumental
on many occasions in preventing
resort tn this costly method of settlin
disputes between employer and EN-
ployes. His family consists of his viii
and four children, three sons and
daughter, his eldest son, George
having charge OF his business.
I