davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14

the sober and gentlemanly conduct OF
the men composing the gathering and
expressed the hope that not one man
would be seen under the influence OF
liquor during the convention. In pass
ing it may be said that every man
deported himself with dignity and cir.
cumspection throughout the entire
time spent in Rochester.s
Among other points emphasized by
the speakers was the need for active
unionism, in. thea way. of attending
meetings, securing new members and
assisting in every way possible in the
work of organization.
S. G. Bainbridge, of the Minneapolis
Painters'> union, made some telling
points during ten-minute talk. He
took issue with statement that Min
nesota's labor laws, so-called, are
among the best in the land and ques-
toned their efficacy when called into
action. His attention was directed to
recent court decisions upholding the
anti-blacklist and other laws. and La
Dor Commissioner O'Donnell let it. be
distinctly understood that any viola
tention, with proper proof, will be
promptly prosecuted. BY the state bu-
reau of labor.
Mr.. cambridge; criticised the loose
ness of existing immigration laws and
said he believed organized labor has
more to fear in case Of trouble from
the hordes of ignorant workers now
coming in than from any other source.
Delegate. Mullane, of Minneapolis,
responded on behalf of the younger
element in the convention. Incident
ally he SHE'D few bricks at the old
political parties, and said he would
have only recognized and tried friends
of the workers put in positions of re-
sponsibiiity, especially on the bench,
so that the law should not be always
interpreted in favor Of the rich and
powerful. 1~&
Some question arose as to the right
of the delegate from the Shoe Repair
ers' union Of Minneapolis, to a seat.
The shoe workers contended that he
represented a seeding union, but a.
the case was not quite clear he was
allowed a seat.
+ President Neary delivered his annual
address, which was in part as follows:
1T is with a feeling of great salts
faction that. have the honor of vel
coming you to this, our twentieth, con.
vention. NY source OF satisfaction IL
derived from the fact as our orsaniza-
ton grows older, our power and tnflu'
ence grows greater. The work accom-
plished by the federation in the past
year towards. bringing the wage earn
ers Of the state more closely tosethe,
should be cause for great pride and
satisfaction tor. All members. ..,=
Until the past two or three years the
work OF the Federation, outside OF look
ing out for legislation. was confined t.
organising the wage J3earners Of three
or four Of the principal cities Of thu
state. But our eyperience ughts ,la
that to Be 4,icc must gathei
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14

Undoubtedly the greatest convention
of the Minnesota State Federation of
Labor was the one held at Rochester
on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
There were 1852 delegates in attendance
from 81 unions. About every city in
the state of over 5000 inhabitants was
represented on the floor of the con-
vention, and the delegates, individually
and collectively, constituted as fine a
body of men as ever gathered in the
state.
Although the Rochester unions-the
cigarmakers, bricklayers, carpenters,
clerks and painters-are among the
youngest and smallest, Numerically, ID
the state, they had such complete and
thoughtful arrangements for the con-
vention that the officers and dele
gates of the Federation could not find
words of praise strong enough to ex-
press their appreciation. And the
Rochester unionists, in turn, gave the
city officials and the citizens due cred
It for substantial assistance rendered
them in making preparations for the
entertainment of the convention.
Just here it should be said that every
man present-yes, and two lady dele
eates-was enthusiastic in expressing
admiration for the really beautiful
city of Rochester and the grand coun-
try surrounding it. Rich and undulat-
ing. dotted with comfortable and at
tractive homes and other buildings
groves and orchards, streams and pas
ture land, with punches of cattle on
every farm, thriving grain and rich
grass, the country surrounding the
county seat of Olmstead county fur
nishes a picture of natural beauty, the
charm Of which it indescrlbable. 1t
was. indeed, revelation to scores OF
men who had never before been in
Southern Minnesota.
From the time of arrival in the
Queen City until the hour of departure
everybody amply testified to their good
will for the representatives of organ
lied labor by continual endeavors tc
make all hands feel entirely at home
more generous welcome was never
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14

under our banner every wage Garner
in the state. With the motto, 'Toilero
Organize" as our battle cry, we have
progressed without interruption, sur
mounting obstacles of capitalism, adj
verse legislation and prejudice. sound
ing no call of retreat but marching
on with solid front for the accom-
plishment of our aims. We are today
represented in no less than eighteen
towns and cities, comprising two hun
dred unions, with membership Of
over $4,000.
In the past year the officers have
endeavored to reach all localities where
it was possible to organize a union.
During the past year organized la
hor has experienced marvellous
growth: the older organizations have
increased in membership at a surpri-
sing rate. While it may not be fair
to give the Federation all the credit
for this condition, yet we are justly
entitled to large share Of It. One
condition that speaks well for the.
Federation lies in the fact that in To-
calities where individual unions are
affiliated and are loyal to the Fedora
tion, they completely control the sit
uation from an organized labor stand
point It should be clear to, every
wage Garner that his individual inter-
est is in thorough organization, which
can only be brought about by grand
Federation of all the toiling masses.
It is the duty of every up todate
trade union to affiliate with the Fed
Grafton. The trade unions that do not
ak>SL $h1fn v~aSt@ -
the support of the Federation are en-
joying benefits secured largely through
our concentrated efforts. -
At the last convention was instruc-
ted to appoint a. committee to confer
with the state fair association with
view to having the date of the fair
changed so as not to conflict with La,
Dor day. endeavored to see Mr.. RAN
dali, secretary of the association, but
not being able to find him. his secre-
tary informed me that the date for the
next fair would be set at a meeting to
be held in January. 1902. Relying upon
this did no more about the matter
until the last Of December, 1901s when
to my surprised learned from Mr.. RAN
dali that the date had already been
set by a meeting OF the Northwestern
Fair association which was held In
Chicago early In the fall. Mr.. Randall
informed me that Representatives Of
the Northwestern states met in Chica-
70 and set the dates OF the various
state fairs in order that they would
not conflict with one another. and that
it would be impossible to change the
date at that late day. He stated, how
ever, that he would be pleased to meet
REPRESENTATIVES Of the Federation. Ace
|*cordingly, 7 appointed the following
pcommittee: d. M. Allison. Of the Minsl
neapolis Retail Clerks union, Louis
Hansen, OF the Federation cou1cil.
John o'Donnell, Atate labor commits
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14
Gathering of Labors' Hosts at Rochester
Marks a Mile Stone in the Race
For Labors Supremacy.
ORGANIZE IS WATCnWORD
President Neary Is Reelected the Jecre>
ary=Treasurership ~Again Comes
to Duluth-Other officers: -.

Gil is composed. Of able and intelligent
men. They are Joseph McCauley, c..
E. James, S. B. Mack, J. L. Hughes
and E. J. Curry, all Of St. Paul, which
also gets the vice. president, Mr.. H. w.
Goetzinger, reelected.
President Neary was reelected by a
very flattering vote, his only oppo-
nent being Mr.. M. N. Rogers, Of Min
neapolis.
Secretary Treasurer McEwen was
also reelected, without opposition.
w. p O'Heron, Of Rochester, was
made second vice president by rising
vote.
Little Falls was selected as the place
for holding the next convention, after
a very close race with Saltwater.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14

OFFICERS OF FEDERATION.
NJ. E.. NEARY, President,
Minneapolis.
HI. w. GOETZlNGER, First Vfce-Pres.,
St. Paul.
w. p. O'HERON, Second Vice-Pres.,
Rochester.
w. e. M'EWEN, Secretary-Treasur
Duluth.
Federation Council, Located at St.
Paul-JOSEPH MCAULEY, S. b.
MACK, j. L. HUGHES, e. j. CURRY
and G. E. JAMES.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-14

CsatinaeA I - eGs Fepr.|
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

closed 10 walk 10 drug shop some dis
toncc from the Strand for q dose OF tonic
appetizer. So quiet and unassuming was
he that he always made way FOR everyone.
waiting 10 be served last A kind-heart-
ed erchaut met him one day at the
drug shop and thought he was a gentle
man iu reduced circumstances. Feeling
sorry for his wretched appearance he
made up a sum OF money In a sealed
packet. and determined 20 go 20 tae
shop and walt for him. Finding ne did
not turn up. he explained his errand TO
the shopkeepcr with a smile the chem
ist asked. do you know who he is?"
Some gentleman in distress. I con
clud,d." as the reply.
'You shall Judge OF that sir. The
quie gentlemen is Thomas Coutts"
The Lucky Guinea.
The Lucky Guinea. as It is called, IS
a coin carefully treasured 10 this day:
lte history further illustrates the &C.
cpntricitles OF Thomas Coutts. While
temporarily living in WorJhing it was
the great bankers habit TO walk every
day generally along some quiet road
iu a very faded. worn suit, very much
rubbed "a the seams. pacing slowly along
with bent head and his hands behind
his back. he attracted the attention
I OF a gentleman, who concluded that be
was I'm great trouble and difficulties. He
was anxious 90 offer help but feared
10 offend by doing so. He waited until
/ the banker passed him again. then crcpt
/ his hand and rushed away. The object
of this strange gift turned in astonlsh-
mcut and saw the old gentleman dis
The Washington times., 1902-12-28
THE PUBLIC OFFICE OF CoUTTs & COMPANY

raise subscription for him that night
among her friends at dinner Her sur
prise can be imagined when she found
her protcge seated at the same table as
herself at the Pavilion. Why" she ex-
claimed in astoEishmeut, there is the
poor fellow fer whom 1 have just asked
your charity" The gentleman seated
next 20 her said. That" but be-
fore he could get the name out. the
Prince OF Wales walked up and laid hold
Of the bankers arm. and. laughing. said.
Tom CouttS. we have fined you a bottle
for leaving your glass" Mr. Coutts had
amused the prince by telling him the
story OF h.s good luck in getting a
breakfast and how his finances were
likely TO be improved by the promised
subscription.
Progress Of Bank.
The bank progressed steadily. and de-
spite panics and failures Of other houses.
maintained its high position. The build
ing. TO meet the requirements Of in
creasjng business. had to be enlarged
AS before mentioned. it was originally
built on the site of an exchange. with
"a 1uc view over the Kent and Surrey
hills. When the Adelphi was about TO
be built. TO prevent this view being in
. terruptcd. Mr.. Coutts purchased vista
the width of his house. and stipulated
that the street leading to Adelphi Ter
race should face the same. On this
space were built q series Of vaulted
strong rooms. 90 "a cost OF $4,000. They
are. 't course hre-proof warmed by
dues, with stone walls. and doors and
frames ct wrorGht iron. From the
strand house on arched subterrancau
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

appearing into a hue. Noting the
house. he learned the name OF the oc-
cupant and that he was once a rich
merchant who had come 20 gricg. only
saving enough from q large fortune TO
enable him TO live very modestIy iu
jhe country with his wife and daughter.
lie sent out invitations for a dinner
party. including the old merchant among
the guests Greatly astouished. as he
did not know Coutts. and with some ms
giving ne accepted The unexpected iuvi-
tation. When he saw his host ne was
quite overcome. Mr.. Coutts after heart
ily shaking him by the hand. introduced
him 20 his friends as the most generous
and the kindest hearted man he knew.
Then. with his hand on the shoulder of
his benofactor. he said. Il shall not re-
turn your gift. bur let me assure you
that as long as Tom Coutts lives YOU
shall never want a sincere and ardent
friend which promise he kept a thou
saudfold This is the history Of the
Lucky Guinea.
Although a welcome guest IN the high
est circles. this founder of the house was
always shabby in appearance. the results
of which were amusing mistakes and
complications.
A Visit to Prince of Wales.
While on a visit 10 the Prince OF
Wales az the Pavilion. Brighton. he used
10 take his early morning walks along
the stcyne dressed as usual I'm plain
suit Of dark brown cloth, very thread
/ hung loosely on his thin legs. On one oc-
cusion lady gave him ave shillings TO
pay for = breakfast. and promised TO
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

were brought mp TO the banking busine
under the tutelage Of their father. a ma.
'of strict integrity and careful busincs
habits. James Coutts started banking
in London at the are OF twenty-five, al
most on the site Of the present premise
his brother Thomas being Junior part
ner-the firm being known as james enc
Thomas Coutts
AT that time there were only two BAN.
ing houses on the west side OF Temp
Bar-those Of Campbell and Drummora
James Coutts had a country servant
Elizabeth Starky commonly called Betty.
She was a comely, bright-raced. GOOD
tempered girl. fun Of fun. and with
ready tongue often when wringiug al
her wushtub the young clerks used 10
tease her. but were soon routed by
shower Of soaps1ds accompanied by
witty repartee She had many admirers.
and was great favorite. Thomas C, ITS
fell in love with her, and after a Drieg
courtship they were married. The
whilom Betty starky. a simple country
girl, became the wife Of the asteruard
distinguished banker. and the mother OF
three girls. all Of whom were married
wen-cne 10 Sir Francis Burde,t, The
second became Countess OF Gmlford and
the third Marcbioness OF Butte.
One Ledger for Customers.
Prosperous fer those days as On,
Coutts az Edinburgh were. the yearly
taHngs there never equalcd the lowest
weekly returns Of Coutts CO.. IN Lon
don. In the carly days OF the London
business one ledger sumccd for the
names or the customers from A to y.
Now about fifty are required.
The ledger gallery. arranged In tiers.
which contains the old books OF the
bank dating from 1892. and the rooms
devoted to checks from 1886 TO the yes
err. give but a slight Idea OF the im-
mcnse business thcy represent An ou-
tograph hunter iet loose tn these depart
ments would find enough 20 satisfy his
greed for life
Many Valued Signatures.
Among the valued signatures would be
found those Of the Princess Charlotte OF
Wales and all the members Of The Eng
Ush royal family from George II 10 King
Edward VII. Lord Nithsdale. Pitt Lord
Londonderry. Sir Thomas lawrence. Sir
Walter Scott. Duke OF Wellington. Lord
Nelson, Lord Butte. Lord North, Lord
Chatham. Fox. Charles Dickens. Lord
Macaulay. benjamin West, Mr. F.,z Her
bert. Or. Armstrong Lord George Cor.
don. Louis Philippe, the Empress Fred
crick. the late Empress OF Mexico. M,
King Of Portugal. the Shah OF Persia
the King Of the Belgians. and hundred,
Of further notabilities.
The ruling spirit q this great firm 10
its youth was o notable E.urc. Tall an,
very thin. a notoriously bad dresser. d,
was often. TO his own great enjoyment
taken for q very poor man. Many are Ia,
amusing anecdotes illustrative Of this
II was his habit daily after the banl
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

passage with massive iron doors was
built. and over This the present Offices.
covering abv-t an acre OF ground. A
stCno bridge connected the front and
back premises While these extensions
were being made business was carried
on in the front part. and tie process
Of building was unnouced. To the great
surprise Of the public when the bank
opened on Monday morning. the some
what cramped place Of business had
grown as Il by magic into large. hand
/ some premises.
Lord Nelson First Customer.
On this day Of opening. almost the
. first customer to arrive was lord NeI-
son-then Sir Horatio He wished 10
deposit for safety a valuable diamond
aigrette presented TO him by the grand
seigneur. who had taken il out of his
/ own turban 10 place in the admirars
/ hat So the FIRST article deposited in the
new strong rooms was one OF consider
able historic interest.
Mr.. COutts married a second time. in
I the March Of 1915. the young and beau
/ |tifm actress. Harriet Mellon. They had
+ been privately married some time before.
/ but owing to Mr.. Coutts' state Of health
The marriage was kept a secret. Holly
/ Lodge. Highgate. was bought from Sir
Harry vane Tempest for SI25. 600 and set
/ tied upon the bride. Shortly after her
marriage she was presented at court by
her step laughter. the late Countess OF
/ Dudley and Guildlord.
Was Highly Respected
There was no man more respected and
honored than Thomas Coutts. HIS ex-
actitude in business matters his unas-
suming manner and transformations gen.
Ierosity drew around him the best peopl,
of his time. The Princess Charlotte o
Wales was a frequent visitor al m,
IStratton Street house. where Mr.. Coutt.
. entertained layishly
. The precision with which the bushes.
was. and is. carried on Is illustrated b,
the following incident: Every afternoon
, after the doors Of the bank are close,
to customers. each clerk has 10 MAKE
up his accounts. and a general balanc
. is struck Some years ago there was
. deficit OF 2s I0d Every clerk was or
, dered 10 revise his accounts. the silver
. ard copper was all recOuuted, still tina
) sum was missing. and the resident part
ners refused TO let the clerks depar
without a correct balance. Gladly woul,
one and all have made up the amour
ten times over out of their own pockets
but this was not allowed. Next E9rninl
il was found that one of the non-resi
dent partners had taken that exac
amount 20 pay the postage on a foreigr
letter.
Left a Large Estate.
III. Coutts led az his home in STRAIT
ton Street in 1892 at the advanced AK
OF eighty-scven. The sum OF 100000
he bcqueathed 20 hi, Wife. in addition q
/ Holy Lodge and the Stratton Stree
house. for her sole use and benefit For
, ~ pohlemen's carriages followed his fu
] neral. including those OF their roya
/, highnesses the Dukes Of York. Clarence
and Sussex.
The checks of Thomas COutts & C,
we're cancelled and the name OF the wild
ow substituted. The estate was swor
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

under 50 o0o.oO0 within che province OF
Canterbury" by which It meant tkat
there was other property in foreign Sc
curities and countries.
Mrs. Coutts well deserved the trust
rcposed IN her by her husband. She car
ricd out all Of his even unexpressed
wishes and continued all his donations
and subscriptions without publicity.
During the time of the distress among
the Spitalhelds weavers she subscribed
only the same amounts as the Quet
and other oble ladies. but she ordered
ancnym AZ a set Of satin damask cur
tains for the WINDOWS Of her house at
Strattcn Street. This order represented
800 guineas. as 5Oe yards we're bought az
a guinea a yard.
Traditions Kept Up.
The traditions OF Coutts K Co. are
religiously kept up even 10 this day
There are eight partners and stan
cf 125 clerks. They have an unwritten
law as to dress. OF being clean shaven.
70 which everyone conforms; the rooms
over the bank consist Of charmingly
arranged quarters for the residential
clerks. the baroness drawing room.
with a beautifully carved white marble
manteIpiece and some old and rare
pieces Of furniture. an armory and
library. The latter was fitted Up and
presented to The star by the present
baroness. The firm contributes a yearly
sum toward it's maintenance.
A tour through the strong rooms is
thing TO De remembered and one at
tended with considerable ceremony.
/ Not even one Of the partners nor any
member OF the stan ever goes alone
/ They must have one Of the watchmeu
20 accompany them. On entering each
room the door is carefully locked and
| bolted.- There IS one door leading out
/ into a narrow street that weighs a ton.
The rooms are piled with boxes and
chests OF all sizes. some that have not
been disturbed for nearly two hundred
years. and are never likely &c be- What
secrets and treasures they may contain
the world Will never know.
Treasures IN Strong Room.
All are labeled. some with the names
OF great people long since dead and gone.
others with names nearly obliterated.
What DO they contain. and will they
! ever be claimed2~ we asked.
we do not know; # is not our busi-
ness. We are only the custodians. and
/ here they remain until they are claim
ed" was the reply.
Oh. what material for articles and
books those sealed boxes must holdt Per-
haps long -soucht-for Wills. family Sc
| crets. priced heirlooms. and iewelry Sc
curely hidGen from hated heirs. Imagi-
nation runs riot until our guide attracts
our attention 10 a fourteenth century
lchest. It was one Of the safeg Of the
past and used for preserving pa
pers and articles Of value before
the latter we're invented. II space
permitted much more could he
said about these royal bankers and
their historic house, their ld-fashion.
cd courtesy to rich and poor alike-to
royal parsonage or TO the most humbl,
depositor. Ii is the noblesse oblige which
might well be Jheir motto.
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

NJ Ew YORK may point 10 Wall
Street as the bub OF the hnan-
ciaI universe. and may with par
donabIe pride direct the casual
visitor to a few solid old banking houses
that have vlths,ood Black Fridays"
and crashes and pauics for several gen
eratioua. but Wall street is a child. and
its oldest concerns have hardly reached
the knickerbocker age as compared with
a dlngy building on the south side Of the
Strand. almost opposite Bedford Street.
in London. that from all outward ap-
pearanocs has little claim TO a second
glance. aud still less claim 20 the at
tcntion OF the voracious sightseer. hur-
rying along in order 20 visit the vari-
Gus objects Of interest recommended by
Bucdekcr
No PretentiOus Furnishings.
No naring sign. no gilt lettering on
windows. nor doorkeepe-s IN the quaint
rarb Of bygone ages. nor gigantic com
missionaries in gorgeous livery Of gold
braid and buttons are there to afford
guidance to the uninitIated; although
through its doorway crowned heads.
princes Of an uationalities. raiahs from
the Far East and great men from all
parts of the world pass and rcpass. their
footsteps echoing as they triverse the
worn stone passages. Many leave some
addition 20 the vast hoard Of treasure
which ellis the vaulted chambers-said
10 b. the best constructed strong rooms
in the world. with the exception OF those
OF the Bank Of England
This dingy building Is the home o.
Coutts g. Co. famous in the annals OF
banking. and a name to coniure Will
in an the capitals OF Europe and I'm lands
beyond the seas.
once Known as Three Crowns.
Wall street has its oil houses Coutts
Is ancient. once upon time it was
known as the Three Crowns-but that
was so long ago that grandfathers
OF grandfathers have forgotten IL
But part Of the present premises
Xas erected in 1857 by Joseph Mid
dIefon. the executor and son-in-lav
OF the founder Of the Three Crowns
John Campbell. OF the ducal house o'
Argyll His partner. Thomas Halt
burton. was the great grandfather o
SIP Walter Scott. Some Of the iedgor'
used in that neolithic age are sin pre-
served and date back to 1922. Wal
street-as il Is now known-did not evei
have a father at that time
Thomas Coutts. who may be regarded
as the real founder Of the present bank
was the youngest son Of an Edinburg
banker. and could boaft Of being con
nected with the nobility. as an ances
tor had married a granddaughter Of IN
first Earl OF Dundonald
Thomas and his elder brother. James
The Washington times., 1902-12-28

n 7 EW YORK may point 10 Wall
IN Street as the bub OF the hnan-
cial universe. and may with par