The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-03
The Organized Labor Unions
of Raleigh Did 1t Well
MEET AT FAIR GROUNDS
Auditor Dixon, Treasurer Lacy aud
Mr.. John Nichols Speak.
MUSIC ENLIVENfD THE BARBECUE FEAST,
Following This Came A Ball Game In Which
The Printers Defeated The Freshmen
Binders BY The Score cf Twenty
In FIpvpn
to Eleven.


10 Eleven.
Labor Day had most fitting celebra-
tion yesterday in the State Fair build
ings and on the Fair Grounds by some of
the organized labor unions of Raleigh.
The first official recognition of the day
in North Carolina had been set forth in
Governor Aycock's proclamation, asking
that as far as possible there be a cessa-
tion of labor throughout the State, and
requesting that all places of business of
whatever character be closed. that the
great army of the employed might enjoy
a day of rest and of thanksgiving.
In Raleigh, but for the closing of the
banks, the public buildings and the lease
up, on work in some printing houses ia
bor seemed to jog along and labor just
as on any other Monday of the year. Out
at the Fair Grounds was the only place
where the holiday had full sway.
And there was enjoyment there. The
committee in charge of the events of the
day had done it's work well and every
feature of the excellent programme was
fully carried out
Gathered in the central rotunda of the
main building of the State Fair were the
members of various unions of Raleigh, the
employers of union labor, honorary men,
bers of the unions, the orators OF the day
and other invited guests among whom
there were many ladies, mothers, wives,
daughters and sweethearts of the union
forces.
Upon a raised platform in the centre
was Wright's Cornet Band, which fur
nished music for the occasion In front
were seated State Auditor Dixon,
Treasurer Lacy, Mr.. John Nichols. the
orator of the day; Mr.. w. e. Faison
Assistant Commissioner of Labor and
Printing, the Master of Ceremonies and
Rev. G. T. Adams, while all around was
the audience, which had been assembling
since noon.
THE ADDRESS OF THE DAY.
The exercises began at / o'clock with
prayer by Rev. G. F. Adams, the pro-
gram having been most happily stated by
Mr. w. e. FaisQn. In the absence of Mr.
H. b. Warner, the first speaker intro
duced by Mr.. Faison was DR.. B. f Dixon.
for the occasion. He had without prepar-
alton consented to speak in Mr. Warmers S
absence and his remarks with regard to
organized labor, it's duties and it's oppor
tunities were greatly enjoyed. DR.. Dixon
is a speaker who always charms his au-
diences, and yesterday was no exception,
the only regret being at the briefness of
his admirable speech.
Following this was an address by Alr.
John Nichols, a charter member of the
Typographical Union. After his introduc
ton by Mr.. Faison the speaker began
with a reference to his first appearance
in Raleigh ins 1884, when the population
was $500 and three weekly papers, the
"Register.' the STANDARD" and the
"Star" fourished.
Mr.. Nichols told of the condition of the
printer in that early day and traced the
growth and Improvement of the printer
and journalism to the present day tell
ing of the men whose lives had gone to
make this improvement possible.
Following this he told of the first trades
union organized, this being the Raleigh
Typographical Union in 1854, which
brought about fixed hours and fixed pay
$500 week being the figure.
Passing from a happy mention of the
first anniversary celebration of Raleigh
Typographical Union, Mr.. Nichols closed
his speech with an admirable tribute to
labor in which he urged that there was
no valid excuse for the rash antagonsm
between labor and capital, their interests
being mutual, and that there should be
such an agreement between the two that
there should be no strikes.
After music State Treasurer Lacy was
introduced by Mr.. Faison as "a man loved
and honored by the working people, the
champion of organized labor
Mr.. Lacy made short but stirring talk
He spoke of his own connection with the
strongest of organizations, the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers, for ten
years and of it's value to its members,
citing that when he joined the organiza-
tion he was receiving $50 a month with
no rights that dyspeptic boss need
notice, and that when nine years ago he
left the active work he was receiving
$40 a month and had rights and priyi-
leges which all in authority had to recog-
niZe.
The duty of organized labor, Mr.. Lacy
said, was to elevate its members. 1t was
, not for the few, but for the many.
knowledge is power, he quoted, and tn
ability to put knowledge into the homes
of the members of labor unions was what
would CON with continued organization