The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-30
LABOR STRIKES
TELLING BLOW
lcontInued from page one.l


Whereas, at the recent session OF the
general assembly OF the state OF Rhode
| Island, an act calling for the establish
ment OF an eight-hour work day for all
persons employed by the state OF Rhode
Island directly or indirectly. under con-
tract. was presented. accompanied by
petition for its passage. signed by nearly
10000 citizens OF the state enjoying the
privilege OF the ballot; and
Whereas. the said general assembly,
disregarding said petition. referred the
said act 10 a committee which never re-
ported. thus effectually burying said act;
and
Whereas. said general assembly con-
sisted in an overwhelming majority or
members OF the Republican party elected
as Republicans and voting in said gen.
eral assembly as such: now. therefore,
be II and II Is hereby
Resolved, that Providence Typographi-
cal union. while admitting The province
and supreme power OF the general as
sembly 10 make laws, condemns Its ac-
tion I'm pigeon-holing the said eight-hour
act. and In disregarding the said petition
10 the extent that not even hearing was
had upon said act; and
Resolved. that such procedure is an
affront TO the intelligence and sincerity OF
the 10000 citizens who signed said peu-
tion; and
'keSOlVed, tnat copy OF tncse Tesoiu-
tions be placed in the hands OF each or
the 1900 citizens who signed said petition;
and that copies of these resolutions be
mailed 10 every labor organization in this
state for distribution TO the members OF
said labor organization; and that copy
OF these resolutions be published at least
three times before election in every daily
newspaper In the state"
resolution was also adopted for the
1N1f ant Of a al a m
on labor as follows:
Resolved by Providence Typographical
Union No 80. that the senators and rep
resentatives elected TO the next general
assembly OF the state OF Rhode Island
be requested 10 cause the appointment by
the presiding officer OF each body OF
standing committee on labor. 10 which
shall he referred for submission TO both
branches OF the general assembly all mat
ters such as petitions and drafts OF laws
which may affect the laboring men,
women and children OF the state OF Rhode
Island. TO the end that IL shall hereafter
be impossible 10 ignore matters presented
TO them In good faith for their consid-
Grafton"
Charles Carroll, secretary and legal ad-
visor OF Providence Typographical union.
In an interview, said
I'm January a petition no the legislature
was circulated, Jointly, by the Pawtucket
and Providence Typographical unions call
ing attention 10 the strike for the eight
hour day then In progress against f. L.
Freeman. state printer. Nearly 10000 citi-
zens signed the petition TO take action
that would end the trouble.
THE petition was presented to the leg
islature accompanied by a bill drawn
broadly 10 provide for the eight-hour day
for all employees OF the state. which was
referred 10 the house committee on spe-
clal legislation. and was never resurrected.
"A new contract for the state printing
was awarded TO f. L. Freeman without
previous advertising or competitive bid
| ding. The legislature thus ignored the
| petition OF 10000 citizens and awarded a
| new contract 20 the firm which was the
| occasion for the petition.
I'VE feel that when any considerable
| body OF citizens petition the legislature
| they are entitled TO n hearing, and that
| smothering petition is on affront to their
| intelligence and sincerity
"The Republican party is held directly
responsible for the legislatures failure "a
| act, because II had complete control OF
| the legislature. Reputation OF the party's
nominees was deemed the surest and
| quickest remedy against future proceed
| ings of like character
1.-THE detection OF 10 900 voters from the
Republican party will be more than sufri-
Client 10 determine the result OF the elec-
tion. IT believe that the action OF the
meeting In adopting those resolutions will
have the effect OF swinging enough votes
away from the Republican ticket to ac-
complish it's defeat. and administer a de-
served rebuke for the neglect and indif-
ference shown by the party in the gem
eral assembly"