The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-05
LABOR DAY CELEBRATION
The CARPENTERS AND JOIN6RS
UNIONS OBSERVED THE DAY
Addresses in Their HalI-Spis al
Fort Ride and
Excursion to WrfghtsvilIe Beach
Grafton by Rev. r. Il. John at the
Beach-Other Exercises.

Yesterday was Labor Day" and it
was fttingly observed oy Wilmington
| Union ss9 and Southport Union, LILO,
| United brotherhood OF Carpenters and
| Joiners of America. 1t is a legal holi-
| day and holiday hours were observed at
| the post office. the custom house, ana
| the banks. The shops Of the Atlantc
| Coast Line were closed in order to allow
l the employees TO enjoy the holiday and
| p~articipate in a celebration under the
| auspices of local union S99.
Yesterday morning at 9 o'clock the
| steamer Wilmington arrived from
| Southport bringing up the members OF
| Southport Union, No. 1.210, members OF
| their families and a number of visitors.
| There also came with them the artillery
| band from Fort Caswell, h services OF
| which had been secured for the occa-
| sion by the committee Of arrangements.
A number of ladies came up with the
| Southport carpenters, and upon arrival
Of the steamer. the Wilmington union
met the party at the wharf and escort
| ed them to the local unions nail in the
| MacRae building. The procession was
| headed by the band which rendered in
spring music as they moved.
After assembling at the hall, the two
unions were called to order at 9:45 a. m,
by Mr.. John E. Gordon. president OF
local union No. 500. He called upon Mr..
w. T. Spooner, acting chaplain, n he
lead in prayer.
President Gordon expressed pleasure
at having the Southport brthren pres
ent and in q few well chosen words in
PRODUCED Mr.. Jesse E. Smith, of the To-
cal union, who delivered the address of
welcome in behalf of the Wilmington
carpenters. Mr.. Smith is a young man
but he is one of fine intelligence and
proved himself equal to the occasion.
He extended a warm welcome to the
visitors. He closed amid hearty ap-
plause.
The band then beautifully rendered
"Camelia Waltz" after which the pres
ident introduced Mr.. Jesse E. Smith who
read from The Carpenter" an article
contributed on THE Problem OF Labor"
by Sam l.. Leffngwell. The Carpenter
is published at Philadelphia and is one
of the organs of the brotherhood. The
article interestingly discusses queS-
tons affecting labor and the reading
was attentively listened to and ap-
plauded.
The Florence Schottish'' was played
by the band after which Mr. G.. F.
Quinn, the efficient secretary of the
local union, the programme
for the days exercises, including a
trolley ride round the belt and an ex-
cursion to Wrightsville beach where the
programme was to be concluded.
The chairman neXt called for short
speeches from all who desired to say
anything.
Mr.. J. A. Edens, president Of the
Southport union, responded for his or
ganiZation, and expressed their appre-
citation of the hearty manner IN which
they had been welcomed. After speak
ing happily to the point, he said South
port hoped to retaliate on mex "Labo
Day"
MIR. C. n. Phillips, OF Southport, also
made a few appropriate remarks and
was followed by Mr.. Geo. F. Drew, of
the visiting union, who made & very in
tereSting and valuabl talk on the OBJ
ject of unionism and what was meant
by the badges worn upon the lappelS OF
union men. After speaking OF the I'M
portance Of the organization, he re-
marked that the 'Sclasped hand on the
badge meant union men were Il band OF
brothers and typified that the South
port union would stand united with the
brethren Of Wilmington. He thanked
b local union for it's cordial welcome,
and in behalf of Southport invited the
Wilmington carpenters to join them In
the celebration of Labor Day" at
! Southport next year.
Mr.. j. p. Stephens, Of the Whining
ton union, made a rafting speech in
behalf of unioniSm and it's necessity to
promote the interests of workingmen.
He said he wanted specially to impress
upon the Southport brethren the i'm
portance of organizing a district DUN
1 oil This iCtriof council hh mod
would facilitate the matter of trials and
the settlement of other questions in
stead of their requiring from two ito
three weeks for the unions to dispose of.
He informed them that Wilmington
union had already appointed five dele
gates to the council, and asked South
port union to do likewise. He stated
that the colored union Of Wilmington
had been k to send delegates to the
council and this was as tar as the white
and colored unions would be identified
with each others work. The intention
is to have a meeting of the council once
month, two meetings to be held in Will
mington and one in Southport alter
nately. Mr.. Stephens EXPRESSED his
great pleasure at seeing the spirit OF
unionism growing and said it made his
heart glad to see the enthusiasm dis
played. Unionism, he said meant
shorter hours and better wages, and
more social n intellectual develop
ment. As it was now working men left
home before their children get up and
return home after they go to bed, Sc
that when they put on new clothes on
Sunday their children hardly know
them. He declared that nature meant
for a day to be divided into eight hours
for sleep, eight hours for work, and
eight hours for recreation n social en-
joyment n intellectual development
To get this, he urged organization, ano
impressed upon union men the import
ance of voting only for men, regardless
of politics, who would be with them ir
their aims. I'VE know our principles
are right" he declared, and organiza-
tion meant that the oppresserS of labor
would not be in a position to have
troops sent against them when they
make honest demands.
Mr.. w. T.. Spooner, Of Wilmington
union, also made an encouraging talk
and assured the Southport union tha'
they were thrice welcome.
In response to calls. Mr.. T. w. Claw
son, Of The Messenger, made a few re
marks, after which the meeting wa:
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