Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-08-29
WOODBURY., N. j., Aug. 1901.


notwithstanding as you all do, the
attitude of the Courts of Justice throughout
the United States toward labor in time of
strikes, is the reason of this letter. At
every recurring National or State election,
the politicians of the two great political
parties come to the laboring classes with
all kinds of promises to do something for
the working man. After election they
either forget the promises made or openly
turn them down.
Branch No. Ia of the Glass Bottle Blow
ers' Association of the United States and
Canada has appointed a committee of five
to formulate some plan whereby we can
bring about an organized movement in the
State of New Jersey with our Local Unions,
to make one, or both of the two great politi-
cal parties 60 ON record for, or against us.
We believe the working man to-day is too
much enlightened on the attitude of the
political Office seeker of the past to be gulled
by him in the future. We also believe
that, as we are organized for the common
interest, viz: the raising of wages and
shortening of the hours of labor, so as to
give us more time for the pursuit of happi-
ness, and the means by which to seek it,
that party prejudices will no longer stand
in the way of gaining that end.
To-day if we go ON a strike for wages, or
even the right to be member of an organ
ization, which has for its principle the
elevation of the human family, the employ
ers Immediately apply to the court for an
injunction to restrain us from approaching
the men they employ to take our places,
thereby taking away from us the right of
free speech, which under the Constitution
of the United States is granted to every
citizen.
Our great political orators, when appeal
ing for our votes tell us how much more
blessed is the American workingman than
his fellows over the sea; that the Consti-
tuition creates us all free and equal, but
let little trouble arise and we find out
how free we are.
1t is believed by many honest men that
some Judges are prejudiced against labor
organizations, through the influence of
corporate wealth, thus, issue iniunctions
without due consideration for the principles
of equity, and take from us the right of
argument with our fellow men.
Therefore, on receipt of this letter, we
urge you to call special meeting of your
local Union; have as full attendance as you
possibly can. Thoroughly discuss the
situation and select one of your members
to represent your body at a Convention to
be held in Camden, N. j., not later
than September 3rd, 1901. The object
being to have such Convention select a COM
mittee to go before both parties-Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike, and urge them
to go on record as to whether they favor
the use of injunctions in peaceable disputes
between employers and employees, and il
they will pledge themselves to correct the
abuses which injunctions are now being put
to. Should such party refuse to insert
such plank in their platform, then let us to
man refuse to vote for them, and instead
use both our voice and vote to bring about
the defeat of that party refusing our reason.
able request
Let it not be said in the future, as in the
past, that we do not recognize our power,
or if we do, that we are too hide-bound to
one or the other of the great parties to vote
for our interest If you are with us in
this movement, send the name of the dele
gate elected to represent you to the Chair
man of this Committee who will imme-
diately notify you Of the date and place Of
meeting Consider it we'll, brothers, and
let us east aside all personal and politica
prejudices in this matter and considel
only the great service we may do the grea1
army of wage earners
Hoping you will join with us in thu
movement to get our liberty back by law
which at the present time takes it away a
the pleasure or will Of some Judge, we are
Yours fraternally,
CARLTON PARK,
FRANCES T. w RRANNAN
CHARLES E. HERITAGE,
WHITAL E. MINGIN,
T. J. PENN.
NoTE.-Address all communications t.
Carlton Park, Woodbury., N. J..
! subaor;ba Far tIe DrMooRAr.