The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-03-31
EIGHT-HOUR
.. WORKING DAY..
R0using Mass Meeting In Favor
). Held in Music Hall.
AN IMPOSING STREET PARADE.
II Was Participated In BY Many Trade and
Labor Organizations.
ADDRESS BY HON CHARLES E. GORMaM
All Staiss, He Declared. VIII Ultimately Pass an
eIghi-how laW-spsschss BY Myor Flil-
gerald Of Pawiuckst and Others.
ADDRESS BY HON CHARLES {. oORMaN

There was rousing mass meeting in
behalf of an Seight-hour law, in Music
hall, last evening. under the auspices OF
the Central Trades and Labor Union,
and the attendance was very large.
Able argumtnts were presented in be-
half OF the proposed amelioration OF
the laboring classes by Mayor Fitzger-
aid of Pawtucket, Hon. Charles T.. Cor
man, Henry T.. Tiepke, commissioner OF
industrial statistics. James Roach and
others.
Before the meeting was held, there
was an imposing street parade, in
which the various labor and trade or
ganizations participated. the point of
starting being Exchange place, and the
route OF march was through Washing
ton Row and up Westminster street to
Cathedral square and down Weybosset
street, through Mathewson street to
Westminster TO the hall. Herbert +.
Bryant had charge OF the line, the
Union. Cornet band, members OF the
Central Labor Union. the Cigar Makers
Union, the Painters and Decora tors,
penters'. Pattern Makers. Walters and
Bartenders'. Plumbers, Carmakers'.
Bricklayers' and Masons', Freight
Handlers and jewelers. Unions follow
ing, with about 600 men.
George Il. Sullivan. president Of the
Rhode Island Trades and Labor Union.
presided, and he introduced Hon.
Charles f. German, who said in part
that SO years ago labor was not looked
upon as having any right to protection.
Today in the states of the Union and
in other countries labor has come to be
looked upon as entitled to protection.
You have the right to just remunera-
for "a
by compact to endeavor to raise your
wage to a proper and fair basis. Who
knows better what his labor Is worth
than the one who furnishes IL? The ma
tional law fixing eight hours for the
employees working day will be ulti-
mately adopted by all the states. In
Rhode Island you should ask that your
employers should be forced to adopt
some means for the protection of those
In their employ. We should demand in
this state a textile school that skilled
labor may be produced
After music by the Providence City
orchestra Mayor Fitzgerald of Paw
tucket addressed the meeting. and he
said in substance: How are you going
10 get the eight-hour day? I'll tell you.
Don't YOU forget for a moment that
you must get il yourselves. You must
unite and present solid front. and by
force of numbers, demand from the
government you create, youi iishts i"u
must help yourselves. Don't be led as
tray by good slick politicians. Go to
the party that is in power and IL they
don't yield to your just demands. turn
them out. Your only just remedy is in
the ballot"
Short addresses were made by Hon.
Henry T.. Tiepke. James Roach. vice
president OF the Iron Molders' Interna-
tional Union; ]. Cook of the Typo
graphical Union. Boston; William n.
Shields. New England organizer OF the
Carpenters International Union. Mich
ael Raphael and others. after which the
meeting was adjourned.