The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1914-07-31
OLD LABOR UNION.
Evidence That Ben Franklin Or.
qanIzed the Printers.
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS.
Old Time Philadelphia typographical
Society Held Meetings In the House
of the Patriot and Philosopher.
Founded to Equalize Wages.

Founded to Equalize Wages.
In the later colonial period Philadel
phia was considerable of a printing
center. The warm political and reli
gious controversies here created a de
mand for literature, and the early
printers were ION the job" Philadel
phianS did printing. too. for those colo
MES whose authorities thanked God
that they had no printing press" with
IN their boundaries. Even when there
were few printers here Franklin had
them with him in the Junto-that won
derful little society, out of which grew
so many truly great institutions. which
now stand as everlasting monuments
to their iluStrious founder
The Junto which Franklin founded
was not for the benefit of printers eX
cluSively. but the evidence seems to he
clear that Franklin did help to organ
ize what was probably the first jour
neyman printers society in this cour
try. of which the Philadelphia Typo
graphical society is the successor.
DR.. james Mease in his Picture of
Philadelphia in 1911" in noticing the
Typographical society, says:
"One of the last acts Of the venerable
Franklin was to assist in the organiza
ton of benefit society for journey
man printers. who held their meetings
during his lifetime mt his house This
society was dissolved in the year
1885," showing that it was in existence
for at least five years. as Franklin died
in 1890.
"In the year 1902 another was in.
stituted and incorporated in 1910 un.
der the name of the Philadelphia Typo
graphical society 1t was founded not
only upon the principle of mutual ben.
eft, but also to equalize the price of
labor and thus to prevent imposition
taking place. upon the journeyman and
employer.
The members deem themselves
bound to procure employment for one
another in preference to those not be
longing to the society; hence there is
no excuse for single member being
idle, and so much celebrity has this
society obtained that employers not
only in this city. but in all parts of the
United States. when in want of good
workmen, apply to the president to
recommend them. Members are dis
persed through every part of the I'M
ion"
The Typographical society went
along we'll with it's work for twenty
ut vxrhn iso re
the question of free memberships re-
suited In reorganization on April 8,
1881, the property Of the old society
being turned over to the new one.
The society has always been patri-
otto and public spirited 1t was self
sacrificing in the investment Of its
funds in 1912 that it might do its share
to help our government in the war
with Great Britain at that time. 1t
assisted the families of members who
then enlisted
The society turned out in a body to
honor Lafayette when our citizens Gel
ebrated his revisit to this country in
1924.
When the one hundredth birthday of
w dSuluSlOU WAS COu1 III
1882 the society had a float in the par
ade, with pressmen printing copies Of
the Farewell Address" of the Father
of His Country.
The members Of the society paid
tribute of respect to the memory Of
Lafayette when that friendly and pa
triotic Frenchman died in 1884 The
funeral of President William Henry
Harrison was attended by the mem
bers in 1871. Those who served their
country in the civil war were kept In
good standing.
Until the formation of Philadelphia
Typographical union No. 2 in 1850 the
Typographical society was the regula-
tor Of all matters pertaining to the
trade.
In the list of members one can see
the names OF James Ronaldson, j. B.
Lippincott. Charles Eneu Johnson,
Louis A. Godney, Matthew Carey.
Archibald Binny. Adam Ramage, ST.
mon Cameron, w. W. Harding John
W Forney, Morton McMichael, A. j.
Drexel, George w. Childs. Richard
ROnaldson and all the members Of the
firm of Mackellar. Smiths & Jordan
Samuel W. Hosking in Typographical
JournaI