The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-23
|CABELL ROASTED
PENSION SYSTEM
Tells Union League Club That II
Dcgradcs and Reduces Higl,
Ideals Of Manllod.
S sTIFLING sELF-sUPPoRT
Club Urged to Take a More Ac-
tive Part i'll Political Affairs,
State and City.

Plans were discussed at a meeting
of the Union League Club last night
to strengthen that organization so as
to enable 1t to take n more aggressive
part In the affairs Of the city. and
possibly IN the government of the mu-
ncipality. There were three addresses
and although no formal action was
taken, It is probable that many of the
recommendations will form the basis
of further consideration OH the part
of the club. z
Mr.. i. j. Dreamer, an employe of the
city gas works. was the first speaker,
making strong argument for the
value and support of the club as All
institution EIe took issue with those
labor men who have criticized the State
Constitution for It's poll tax provision,
saying plainly that the man who was
unwilling to pay si.5O1a year to the
support of the government had no
business having a voice in the gov
eminent. Mr.. Dreamer said he would
advocate extending both the poll tan
and the ballot to every man who had
one or more children in the public
school, .
Trusts and Machines.
Hon. j. Aston Cabell made
thoughtful and well-considered address
on the position OF the working man
In the government. Without iingo-
ism or playing to the galleries, Mr..
Cabell strongly advised his hearers TO
qualify themselves as voters. and to
exercise the prerogative in the muni-
cipal elections. Labor unions were
defended as economic necessities. ow-
Ing to present-day conditions brought
about by immense combinations OF
capital.
Mr.. CabelI continued: 81 deliberate
in this country is controlled and DOM
mated by the trusts and aggregations
of great wealth who support those
machines by large contributions.
There is a place for clubs lige this,
composed of the men who are pro-
ducing the wealth OF the nation: and
who form, it's backbone and strength:
1t is the high average intelligence and
character of our working people that
has placed America in the fore rank
of the nations Of the earth.
Roasted Pension System.
Mr.. Cabell made severe attack on
the whole pension idea. both govern
mental and individual. his remarks
along this line meeting with ready ap
nroyal. Relating instances to show
that the soldiers of this and other
countries had been degraded and pau
perized by the pension system. which
t.rded 10 reduce their high ideal of
manhood. Independence and ability to
proviie for themselves and families,
he continued:
I'VE have seen enough of that cap
tain of industry who, in his great mills
and factories. grinds the last ounce OF
effort out of his operatives. working
his men harder and longer and at
smaller wages than his competitors.
merely that in after years the great
millionaire may give the people libra.
RES and institutions, handing out these
benefactions as though the people were
paupers begging for crumbs. rather
than as though the millions were the
fruit Of the abors OF those whom he
now seeks to help"
Mr. Charles B. Cooke made the con-
GLIDING speech. urging the club to
stand for the Improvement of the city.
He said that with the division of the
governorship fight between five or
more candidates the labor vote would
control the situation. Labor men were
urged to qualify and to vote. to organ
ize clubs and to vote solidly for can
didates favorable to the interests OF
the people. The course of many mat
ters before the City Council was
traced to show how the pressure of
capital had secured enactment of or
dinances, the speaker urging the labor
men to bring their pressure Of votes
to bear to secure public improvements.