The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-20
TRADES COUNCIL
HEARS LETTERS
Replies From Candidates
Received and Read
MANY SPEECHES MADE
Matter Freely Discussed, But No One
Attacked.
REPLIES TO BE SENT TO THEM.
Secretary Instructed to Prepare Them and
An Address to the Laboring People.
A Live Day in Politics.
Many Leaders Were in
the City Last
Night.
REPLIES TO BE SENT TO THEM.

there was much activity in politics
both among the Democrats and Republic
cans here yesterday and last night.
Murphy's lobby was crowded with
leaders of both parties, and there We're
numerous conferences and consultations
on various subjects.
One of the chief events OF the day
was the special meeting OF the Central
Trades and Labor Council held last
night at Smithdeal Hall for the purpose
of recording and considering the replies
of the Constitutional Convention candi-
dates 10 the questions sent them by the
council
The joint reply OF the eleven candi-
dates who signed the letter printed be-
low was read and considered at length.
together with those of the others VINO
replied individually some days ago.
There were u number of warm
speeches, but it is understood that none
of them attacked any of the candidates,
or even criticised them by name.
A resolution was finally adopted in
structing Secretary Mullen to reply to
each one of the candidates VINO slsheu
the Joint letter, as we'll as those who
wrote individually. and to prepare apu
issue an address TO the labor people OF
the city calling attention to what the
council deems inconsistencies in the an
swers OF the candidates.
BY unanimous consent, Mr.. j. D.
Quantz, of Socialist labor fame, was
given the floor and made q lengthy
speech on the letter.
THE JOINT LETTER
Following is the joint letter:
Richmond, Va, March IS, 1901.
To W. II. Mullen, Recording ana CORE,
spending Secretary, Central Trades and
Labor Council, City
Dear Sir,-Each of US received your
printed letter of inquiry dated Marcn 10,
1851. Regarding. you as representing a
in the questions propounded, we nave
deemed it wise and best for their interests
that we should consult together. and thus
get the benefit of the views of all who
NAV represent you. and after such con-
sultation. and without surrender of our
individual views, state what positions we
could unitedly assume upon these ques-
tionS. You will see that some OF the can
didateS have not signed this letter we
We're Informed by them that they mad al
ready answered your inquiries, and could
not. therefore, unite with us III a JOINT
reply.
we desire first to say that we reserve
absolutely the right to change any views
which We may here express, II. after ter
fuller examination into the questions, we
become satisfied that our present views
are erroneous. We are aware that we are
asking of the people a large trust, but we
are also aware that we propose to assume
a responsibility equally as large. Believ-
ing that it will be best for the people and
for their representatives that the latter
should go to the convention unhampered
by irrevocable pledges we desire this 70
be clearly understood in reference to the
answers herein given.
At present, we are of opinion that but
few of the matters about which you in
quire should be the subjects of conshtu-
tional provisions.
BELIEVE IN LIABILITY BILL.
l. We believe "a just and equitable LA
biIity bill to be constitutional We each
favor "a change in the present law of the
State by the enactment OF such a statute;
but we deem il inappropriate to put a pro-
vision in the nature of d bill into the
Constitution. We further believe that
such an effort would meet with defeat.
1t is known that some OF us have been
earnest advocates of such a statute for
several years. We submit, therefore, that
our views on this question should receive
weight We believe that it's defeat be-
fore the convention. which is supposed to
represent the great body Of the people,
would be used with telling force before
the Legislature in any subsequent at
itelnpt to pass a statutory measure.
2. We are not in favor the abridg-
ment of ANY rights and privileges" now
enjoyed and exercised by labor orsaniza-
tionS.
3. We do not think the present Consti-
tuition needs any change in this particu-
lar When called upon by the civil au-
thorities, after all efforts they can exert
have been exhausted, the Governor should
if a Governor should become satisfied that
the local civil authorities are not doing
their duty, it should be incumbent upon
him to take all proper and just steps to
IF III
property.
A. We arc emphatically in favor of sub
initting the new Constitution TO the peo-
pie for ratification or rejection.
s. As to compulsory education. NE have
no settled views on this question. We
have not had d sufficient opportunity to
learn what has been the result of the eX-
periencc of those countries which have
tried 1t. We desire to profit by the eXpe-
lience of others. and until We have made
a full examination into the question, II
would not be fair TO you or ourselves to
express an opinion.
SHOULD BE LEFT TO OFFICIALS.
G. We feel it our duty TO reply in the
negative as 10 Your question about labels
or trade marks of organized labor We
are inclined to believe that such pro-
vision would conflict with the rights guar
anteed under Section of the Fourteenth
Amendment to the CONSTITUTION of the
United States. 1t was said by Mr.. Justice
Irield. of the Supreme Court of the United
States. In Butchers Union Co VS.. Cres-
cent CitySCo.. i'll United States Reports:
The common business and callinGs of
life The ordinary trade and pursuits which
are innocuc,s in themselves and have
Deen followed in all communities from
time immemoriai. must. therefore, be free
II, this country to all alike upon the same
conditions" Such a law would be inter
fcring With The right of selection, which
should be left 10 the proper State or city
ofsicials whose duty it wSlld be to buy
Tor the best interests of the public.
and S. AS to your inquiries about prop
cr ventilation and health measures in fac
tories. and the age limit as to the employ
r,ert of children, we reply that NE think
that they should receive early attention at
the hands of the Legislature. and that
iudicions enactments ON these subjects
should bc made. But that they should
not be embodied In The Constitution.
9. IL there is any way In which con-
..ir,s can be given healthy employment
without coming In conflict With free la bor.