The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-09
lAB0R'S HlSTS
ENTERS POLITICS
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would not allow itself To follow I'm rne rut
Of past experiences. He suggested that
the club put forward men OF suhc sub
stantial character and force that they
would not be captured by any political
machine, but would remain free agents
of those they would represent.
Thomas Finnegan OF the Granite Cut
ters said that the move was one he had
long hoped would be taken by the wage
earners OF the city and state; and he
hoped that they would profit by the les
sons OF the past and not allow their in
terests TO be submerged into those OF the
party I'm power. or any other interest ex-
cept their own.
r. g. Merrewether aroused the meeting
90 a high pitch OF enthusiasm by his re-
marks, prefacing them with a statement
that he can hardly believing his own
eyes. since he had hoped for the stand
taken TO be a part OF the labor move
ment for a number OF years. and this was
the first time that they had started off
along the lines that followed out his
ideals
He wanted those present and all the
workers OF the state 10 know that he was
with the movement heart and soul: and
he hoped that all the benefits TO be OBJ
tanned would be forthcoming as a result
OF the union OF purposes at the polls
through the club.
He called TO mind the fact that II
was only through the united efforts
OF the working men that they had been
able to secure any kind Of benefit for
themselves. and that this was move
ment OF that kind.
They must unite at the polls TO
secure such legislation as would give
10 the working men Of this state laws
that would be for their benefit. Several
laws that had been passed were detri-
mental To the working men, and the
expressed wishes of the large majority
OF the voters OF the state had been
utterly ignored In their passage.
The old question that had caused
war before this generation was born
again, the crying protest OF the wage
workers today being Taxation With
out Representation. He wondered II
some OF the candidates or those who
wished 10 be candidates and were look
ing for votes, would vote for the g.
hour day and whether those who held
political positions or were willing TO
hold them would be willing to grant 10
the humble workers OF the state the
right to toll but S-hours each day. He
thought most OF them would not.
Therefore. IL was for the wage earners
OF this city and state to provide for their
u. lnfH VI Ah'i ihpANN ha''
thereby secure a government for the peo-
pie and by the people.
John ]. Curran OF the Teamsters be-
lieved that all men OF voting age should
stand up for their rights. and this could
best be done at this time through the
Wage Farmers club.
Thomas Finnegan suggested that COM
mittee be appointed to draft resolutions
setting forth the platform of the club
and providing a constitution to be adopt
ed at the next meeting and the following
were named: Thomas +. Kearney Of the
Carpenters union, Thomas Finnegan or
the Granite Cutters, J. j. Mccarthy OF
the Coal Transfers union, John Curran
OF the General Teamsters and Joseph
Brckell OF the Painters union.
The committee will meet some evening
this week and prepare the constitution,
which will be presented at the meeting
10 be held next Sunday evening at Labor
temple.
A discussion as TO whether the member
shin should consist only OF union men
followed: and II was decided that clause
be inserted In the constitution permitting
the admission OF all wage earners.
A plan was also started 10 nave
branches formed in other cities. and until
such branches were formed any who
wished to become members from other
cities would be admitted here. to be
transferred later.