The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-03

William J. Mcdonald acted as chairman
Mr.. Mcdonald spoke briefly on the OBJ
jects OF the league and introduced as the
| first speaker the leagues candidate for
mayor James III. O'Neil OF the Iron
| Moulders union. who said in part:
| we workingmen and cluzens OF Provi-
| dence have demanded recognition. but we
have not been recognized In the govern
ment OF state or city. Lately we have
been called upon TO face the trusts We
| worlkingmen have as individuals TO go up
against these great combinations OF
| wealth.
The Economic league was formed for
| the purpose OF securing the recognition
| which has been denied US. Our nomi-
| nees for public office are men who are
| representative workingmen. The repre-
| sentatives OF the Republican and Demo
cratic parties are men who have never
| been obliged to work very hard for liv-
ing. II elected they will work in the in
terests OF men who are worth considera-
BILE money"
Continuing. the speaker took up the
platform OF the league. explaining each
plank and the initiative and referendum.
The property qualification was condemned
apd the esta blishment OF the police COM
mission scored roundly.
Mr. O'Neil favored municipal ownership
for gas. electric lighting plants. street
railroads. compulsory education laws.
equal taxation OF corporate and private
property and the enforcement OF factory
inspection and sanitary laws. saying that
the factory inspectors drew large salaries.
but never did anything. for II they did
they would lose their Jobs
In conclusion Mr.. ONeil said: Send
workingmen to represent you as working
men. Then you'll got proper legislation.
When the 10-hour law was passed. they
appealed 10 the Supreme court. and then
we found that the Union Railroad COM
pany is our Supreme court.
They work continually TO get larger
salaries and shorter hours for the people
In the City Hall. Now the City Hall peo-
pie work eight hours a. day for FIVE days
In the week. and four hours on Saturday
You never hear OF their doing anything
for the other employees of the city. Why
should the street laborers work more than
eight hours a day. and why Is there not
something said about increasing their
pay?"
The next speaker was Frank J. Merri-
weather OF East Providence. The
speaker paid especial attention to the re-
lations between the league and the
Democratic party OF the city. saying In
part THE Economic league In Provi-
dence was formed Irrespective Of any
party Affiliations. II is not composed OF
Democrats or OF Republicans. as such.
dates you'll have a chance TO vote for
workingmen. and they are better candi-
dates then those on the Democratic ticket
III we want anything we've got to get
In and do the legislation ourselves The
way national legislation Is conducted is
shown by the so-called miilionairea club.
the senate. Whatever they are when they
go in, they are all millionaires when they
come out. anyway.
And another thing You will fnd two
amendments 10 be voted on. Vote reject
on both of them. They are Republican
asaA stx..sxx
you deal blow. That is what you want
TO do with everything they put up; hit
II just as soon as II shows up"
John p. Frye. vice president Of the In
ternational Iron Moulders' association.
said that II Is very evident that large
amount OF dissatisfaction exists among
workingmen. and they are trying 10 bring
about a condition more satisfactory to
themselves There Is an effort TO get
back to first principles and give the
people the same sort OF government
they started with. The reason why work.
ingmen are dissatisfied. he said. Is that
each year measures are passed that
make conditions still better for those
that are already comfortably situated.
Mathew II. O'Neii was next introduced
and said that there was a golden oppor-
tunity next Tuesday TO throw of the
yoke He said that all the Democratic
hopes or victory at this election were due
TO the large registration, and that was
brought about by the efforts Of labor men,
following the strikes Of the team drivers
and the street railroad employees.
Then" said Mr. O'Nefl IT went right
into that caucus In the Second ward ana
came within IL votes OF beating Donahue
and his father. Richard r. Comstock
It's a choice between Boss Brayton and
Boss Donahue."
Speeches were also made by John T.
Cannon and Thomas Huestor and letter
OF regret read from Mayor John A. Sulli-
van of Hartford