The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-09-05

+ contract labor, the holding of the pub,
TIC domain for settlers only, the,estab-
1lshment of a strong, healthy labor
| press, the rigid enforcement of the an
prentice system, the organization of
mechanics into trades unions and MI
other workingmen into general labor.
unions. The convention pledged it's
support to 1.-The sewing women and
daughters ;of toll: Of the land'''.
The second convention Of the ma.
tional Labor Union was held in Chi
cago, Ill.,, in 1857. Sylvis attended as,
a delegate and there for the first time
advocated the establishment of "a ma
tional labor bureau" He said:
I'VE desire recognition from the Ma
tlonal Government. When we go to:
congress asking for legislation, thew.
ask+ us:'hoW do you known, and il
we have a national: labor bureau; II
we. take proper interest in it, if we
officer it and guard It, we will be sure
TO- kpnow and will know what to. say
: I'm ansyer to such questiors::'' :::71F'~*:*
Under date of January II, 1868, in
a letter to George Baber, editor of the
evening Advocate, Philadelphia, Mr.,
Sylvis wrote:
I'VE want new department. at
washington, to be called the Depart
ment of Labor, the head of said de-
partment to be called the secretary of
LABOR and to be chosen directly from
the ranks of workingmen. To this de-
partment should be referred all dues-
lions OF wages and the hours of labor
In the navy yards and ali other gov
eminent workshops, registry and reg
ulatlon OF trades unions and co-opera-
tive associations, the disposition of
public lands, and all other questions
connected with and affecting labor"
During the remaining months of his
| life Mr.. Slyvis endeavored to impress
upon the members Of the National La
| Dor Union and workingmen generally
| the necessity for Incest blishment Of
BROOKLYN N. Y. the president of the
Coachmakers' International Union, for
| the purpose of discussing certain
| such a department as is outlined
| above.
| 1t has been said that the idea Of =,
national department of labor originated
| with the Knight of Labor. or the
American Federation of Labor. Both
| OF these organizations were commit
| ted to the proposition from the be-
| ginning, and the leading members of
| each other advocated and worked for
! the passage of the law. When the
measure was before congress the Of
| Ulcers OF the American Federation of
Labor and the Knights of Labor came
to Washington and left nothing I'M
done to convince the members of each
I branch of the national legislature that
united labor stood a unit in demand
ing that passage. The unhappy diff
ferences' which later on divided the
FORCES of organized labor had not an
peared on the surface, and labor pre-
sented a solid front when making it's
| demands.
To the labor unions of Washington
is due the greatest credit for the good
work done when the measure was be-
lore congress, but justice demands
that the Iron Moulders' International
union, through it's great leader, Will
liam H. Sylvis, should be credited
with the honor of fathernig a move
ment which in this year of grace has
given us a. Department of Commerce
and Labor.
True, labor does not come first, as II
should, but it is also true that COM
MERGE is the fruit Of labor, and if the
united forces of labor persistently de-
u mand proper recognition there is nc
doubt but that the Department of La.
Dor will one day, be reality.
What seemed far away to Sylvis is
within touch today the: dream of to.
day becomes the reality Of the future
, We educate children that men ma,
have knowledge: and we should con:
- tinue to dream,, continue to educate
until all that William H. Sylvis ant
his co-.workers strove for become real.
= tiles. ;Sylvis gave his life to the cause
Of: labor. His dying hours were de:
voted to the work so dear to hi.
> heart; To one whom I delight to honoi
Z asny friend. he said the day. before Ii.
/; died: =5 7 < IS $[ 33 . ..
& B have. failed In work Of mould;
4 sentiments IA Dor sof abor ~:
ii oEm,s. butt her . hand her mind,
Forward herilng strength
ltxsssto