The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-09-06


this occasion have been careful to
instruct the chief of police to throw
the key Of the City of Charleston
into the deepest hole to be found
III the Great Kanawha, and to de-
tail all the members of the police
force to put in their time today
fishing for that key. That being
the case, gentlemen of organized
labor, you need have no fear of
being inteyfered with in the full and
Tree enjoyment of this occasion.
More seriously, however, it ought
not to be necessary to offer the free
dom of the city to you. 1t is al
ready yours. You are part of it,
and a most prodigious part, at that.
If there is anyone so foolish us to
not agree with me in this state
ment, let him steer up against the
great body of organized labor with
an improper public proposition, an
Interior purpose and notice how
quick and how rapid will be his
discontinue when the man with
the ballot takes Il shot at him. You
are power in the land never un-
derestimated by sensible people.
Yours is as important place in the
life and stability of this great coun-
try. us the man with millions, and
1T IS your wise and conservative
conduct and actions that keeps the
great ship leveled in the great in
dustrial world, and it is to you that
all classes appeal for the final set
tlement of all great questions.
The legislature was wise when
its enactment established Labor
Day. 1t more closely unites all
classes and the day is not lost that
makes men better by these associ-
ations and affiliations.
congratulate you all upon the
success of this occasion, and bid
you all welcome to the best there
is in the Capital City.
PRES. NUGENT's SPEECH.
Ladies, gentlemen and fellow
workers. am sorry that the
speakers who were to appear before
you today were unable to come, OH
account of my lack of preparation
to speak on this important occasion.
But if you take me as / am, / will
enueaVOr to make certain things
plain which in my mind are upper
most in the advancement of organ
lied labor.
Labor Day is one of the greatest
days i'll this country, and is the oc-
casion of the greatest demonstration
by all classes of people in honor of
the toilers of our country. 1t was
set aside for the enjoyment and
higher advancement Of the men
who made this country the greatest
country on the face of the earth
and for them to enjoy its privi-
leges. 1t is IL well known fact that
the life, liberty and independence
of every country is safest in the
hands of the common people, and
it is also a well known fact that
the common people, when organ
lied are in a position to control
conditions. where without organi-
zation they would become the vic
tins of corporate greed. Organized
labor is the product of the mos
enlightened and independent toll
erS, men who have reached the
years of freedom, they are patriotic,
loyal citizens; men who never hest
tate in making sacrifices for the ad-
vancement of their country's good
and III defense of their country'S
flag. Twenty six years ago during
a demonstration in the city of New
York, where the General Assembly
of the knights of Labor was in SeS
sion. Il 900 true union men passed
down Broadway, and as they were
passing the reviewing stand the
Mavor of New York was heard to
exclaim. s.What magnificent La
Dor Day!'' On the following year
a bill was introduced in New York
in honor of the occasion to have
the first Monday in September set
aside as a special holiday. to be
known as Labor Day This bill
however. failed to pass at this seS-
sion, and the honor is due to Colo
RADIO, who passed a bill making the
first MoRday in September a legal
holiday. Three or four OF the