The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-14
'ity or otherwise to go and hear what


the speakers would have to say on the
subject of organized labor The dele
gates to the Federation of Labor con-
vention were all there. The meeting
was enthusiastic, and the greater part
of the audience remained through the
entire program, which was long. The
stage had been prettily decorated with
flags, and the speakers and officers of
the federation occupied seats upon it.
Schwanenberg' orchestra rendered
selection or two.
J. E. Reynolds was master of cere-
monies and was right in his element.
He gave the opening address, explain
ing that the Federation of Labor con-
vention was composed of delegates
from the different labor unions of the
state. The ladies have also lately or
ganized unions and have delegates.
He said that labor organizations have
done much to educate the masses as
they were educators more than any
thing else. When the Federation talked
of holding its convention in Mankato,
some men went to Mayor Petersen and
asked him not to invite it TO come.
Some men are ignorant enough to sup
pose that every union man is a dyna-
inter.
M. E. Neary of Minneapolis, presi-
dent of the Federation and Democratic
candidate for secretary of state last
fall, was the next speaker. He said
that when Mankato was selected as
the meeting place of the convention
there was a good deal of talk about the
feeling here toward organized labor.
He was satisfied that Mankato people
have the right kind of feeling, an if
they could be talked to individually
the city would soon become one of the
best organized in the state. The OBJ
ject of the Federation is to secure just
and equal rights to the common peo-
pie. which is possible through organic
alton. The most good can be accom-
plished in the large cities, as there is
not SO much injustice in the smaller
places. He hoped that. thes-peop1e Of
Mankato would help the move along.
The more they come in contact with
it, the better they will think Of it.
za A male quartet rendered Marching
on to Victory. " ~ - -
John O'Donnel, state commissioner
of labor, refuted thesidea that Labor
organizations are formed for the pur'
pose of having strikes and disturb
ances The condition of the laborine
people.in--places where theys.are- organ
izedsis better.%-than.in, Places where
they.-are not organized. The organiza
tion ..of. the. Federation of.sssLabor is in
tendedsstosas create. one11s"great, s@ grand
brotherhood of men, Ito care for eacl
other. - - DO unto others as you would
have them do unto you, is the--funda
mental principle of organized labor.
A E. Clark of this city said that i
was right that women should be ad
mitted to the order, as they are
workers the world over. Every right
eous cause has had the aid of the
prayers, tears and sympathy of women
Labor organizations are a good thing,
nd are an impression on our nationa
progress. Everything good in every
field is the result of organization. II
this age the commercial instinct over
shadows all others. Mr.. Clark an
nounced his firm belief that large com
binations ofstcapital are here to""stay a
long as private ownership exists, am
that no agency, legisIative, executiv
or..judicial, could stop them now am,
more Ethan the torrent of Niagara
could be stemmed. 1t was therefor
the duty of the laboring men to.sor
ganize. Mr.. Clark urged that violence
be not resorted to except as..ssthes very
last resort. If .the law is'~wrong, sd
not violate it, but repeal it. ---.Ifssmel
in public life are corrupt, they..ssshoulC
be retired to private life forever. Tn
. laboring men can, make :. themselves
politicians we'll as social and : indus
trial force. Mr.. Clark said that
was no calamity. howler-that such J.
condition would not be reached as lonI
as there is an honest, virile, intelli
8 gent and patriotic laboring class as ex
ists in Minnesota today.
Ex-Mayor F. M. Currier said tina
his sympathies for years had bee
with organized labor, and he had or
r ganized one of the first farmers ALI
ances in Minnesota. He had worke
: with it until it had died a natura
4 death. He contrasted the condition o
. the Iaboring classes today with wha
/ it was formerly, and said that it i
, better now than ever before How
ever, the laboring men should not b
satisfied but should seek to continu
ally better their condition. The spiri
of commercialism is in the air, ant
i combinations of capital will go on
There is no way to stop it, and tn
D only remedy for the evils of it is or
ganization, education and sarbitratiol
for the laboringmen. Mr.. ..Currier sail
that he believed in voluntary arbitra
tion ifssit'"can be brought about if i
!: cannot, then he favored compulsor.
! arbitration. He believed that the pres
ent tendency is that way. The peopl
have it in their power to improv
their condition by their votes Labo
organizations are sometimes injure'
! more by their leaders than hY nonula