The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-08-15
THE OLD TIME PRINTER.


Cincinnati the credited representa-
tives of one of the oldest and most
conservative Of all the labor organiza-
tions in the world. These delegates
go to make up the International Typo
graphical Union. This is the forty
eight annual convention.
There are in the United States and
Canada SO, I'll union printers and they
are recognized as the most intelligent
among all the tradesmen. Last year
the International Union handled $151, :
151, and there is now $3S, O72 in the
treasury. During the past year there
were twenty strikes, nine being vic
torious three were lost and eight are
still in progress.
One of the magnificent institutions
that the union printers takes pride in
is the home for INDECENT craftsmen.
1t is located at Colorado Springs, Col,
and cost the printers about $S1, 0G0 to
build and equip. A number of years
ago George W. Childs and A. J. Drexel
each presented to the International
Union So, 900. The delegates then as
sembled discussed various propositions
as to whst,uses should be made of the
money so generously bestowed. 1t was
finally decided that the Home should
be constructed. A plan was then
adopted whereby an addition nal sum
could be raised. On the birthdays of
Mr.. Childs and Mr.. Drexel every
union printer in the land contributed
a portion of his wages and it was not
long ere a sufficient amount was in
the treasury to build the home and
furnish it. 1t was during the summer
of 1892 that the handsome structure
was dedicated, the address being de-
livered by the then United States SEN
ator Gallinger of New Hampshire,
himself union printer. Since that
time the Home has been maintained
in manner that has reflected great
credit upon the union and many a
bToken-down TYPO" has sought shelter
"lUnln lCS Walls.
The introduction of the typesetting
machines has revoIutionized the print
ing business. No more do we see the
old-timer working at the case. He is
now memory of an unforgotten past.
He has disappeared from the Galley
and the musical click made by each
type as it was dropped into the
''stick" by the nimble fingers is now
swallowed up by the roar and buzz
of the machine. Those were halcyon
days. when the boys on the road,
happy go-lucky fellows, who never
thought of the morrow; generous,
whole souled men, never wanted for
a days work at the case. Little did
they think that the inventive genius
of man would bring out device that
would take the place of hand compost
ton. Why, they fairly laughed in
derision the mere suggestion. that their
occupation would be gone through the
introduction of a type-settiLg ma
chine. But the machine came and
they found themselves confronted by a
condition; not theory. Many of the
old boys refused to become reconciled
to the new order of things and they
left the art preservative in disgust to
be gathered up latter by that great
organizer who rules all things. Their
memory is kept green by the younger
men who knew them. In their remin-
iscent moods they unlock the door
the past, brush away the dust and the
cobwebs and allow their thoughts to
dwell upon a class of men whose
faults should be written upon the
sands. Their good qualities can
never fade away.