The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-08-13
THE FIELD
cse;sS;S5ssss, csa;;S rs
OF LABOR

The following unions will hold sessions
tonight and tomorrow:
Bakers Labor temple.
BGrtenders, 70 Dorrance street
Musicians, Musicians hall
Coal Handlers. Labor temple.
Longshoremen, Labor temple.
MERREwETHER SURPRISED.
Last evening. though not the fine meet
ing OF the Plumbers union. was one OF
the very best and most interesting meet
ingo OF the year. The occasion will long
be remembered as most pleasant for
number OF the men, among them as chief
Will be Mr.. Frank c. Merrewether.
When II was learned that Mr.. Merre-
wether was about to resign from the
Obosition Of business agent of the union
thC members began 10 cast about for
some suitable means OF rewardng him.
ana showing portion OF the esteem in
which he was held. The matter was
kept so secret that large majolfty or the
men themselves knew nothing OF IL.
AS soon as the plan suggested a
committee began to think of some suitable
token, and finally decided on watch.
charm and chain. The local is never
known to do anything by halves and this
time II lived up to its reputation. The
present selected was one OF the best that
money could buy. and in order that such
might be the case a jeweler was called
into conference. i'm the person OF Mr..
George e. Brady, and the purchase was
mace through him.
Mr.. Merrewether, or Frank" or
Merry" as he is more usually called,
was present at the meeting last evening TO
take part I'm the questions of the evening
usual, and after opening the meeting
he was called outside and taken down into
the lobby on some seemingly trihing ex-
cuse and prevented from taking part in
the proceedings. he thought that the body
wa3 to take some action against him on
account OF what some supposed enemy
had said.
He began TO think and think pretty hard
who and what the charge was And when
he went back into the meeting to find all
moving along smoothly usual the
mystery OF the case was still more in
tense. Mr. Coleman came into the part
well. knowing what was coming and see
Ing that every one OF the men who were
in on the deal being a particular friend
OF Franks, wanted TO start the ball to
rolling by motions to suspend business
and every time there was q motion started
promptly silenced II TIL the proper time
came. He sat" on the fellows so often
that some Of them began 10 think he was
course this was not the truth for there
II not a more wholesouled friend OF
Merry's in the whole union.
At last. thinking that excitement was
az about tho right pitch. he suspended
business and then the fun commenced
There were half the members OF the local
on their feet asking for recognition so
as to make the presentation speech. There
Is no one I'm the city more popular with
this was attested I'm the best OF style last
evening.
Some one gained the floor and spouted
Off speech and almost before he knew
what was being done committee was
handing him the watch and bowling gen
erously before him. Merreweather was
entirely taken by surprise He tried TO
rise and speak his thanks. but words
failed TO come. This is something en-
tlrely new TO this worker for the cause
of unionism and helped 10 discomfort him
more.
Cheered on by his fellows he began.
but finally had 10 give way. for the tears
Of 10y would trickle down his cheeks de-
spite him The fellows gathered round
him and there was mutual understand
ing between them all that even though he
could not speak he felt. which was far
better. The charm was suitably engraved
and II the first watch in the city TO bear
the jewelry workers label.
The remainder Of the business OF the
meeting was but slight the only ripple
on the surface being the resignation OF
the president. Mr.. j VI. Coleman. which
Is 10 take place at the fine meeting.
CENTRAL BODY SHORT SESSION.
There was hut a short meeting Of the
central body last evening owing TO the
relaxation from the stress Of the two
previous meetings. The attendance was
also very slight
After the seating Of the new delegates
the business commenced. The leftover
business OF the previous meetings was
taken up and then followed the new busi-
ness.
A committee was appointed to inyes-