United labor bulletin., 1914-09-26

In the later colonial period Philadel-
phia was considerable of printing CEN
ter. The warm political and religious
controversies here created a demand for
literature, and the early printers were
son the job" Philadelphians did print
ing, too. for those colonies whose author
tiles thanked God that they had no
printing press" within their boundaries.
Even when there were few printers here
Franklin had them with him in the
Junto-that wonderful little society, out
of which grew so many truly great insti-
tutions, which now stand as everlasting
monuments to their illustrious founder.
The Junto which Franklin founded
was not for the benefit of printers ex-
clusively. but the evidence seems to be
clear that Franklin did help to organize
what was probably the first journey
man printers society in this country, OF
which the Philadelphia Typographical
Society was the successor.
Dr. James Mease in his picture OF
Philadelphia in 1871" 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 journeyman
printers, who held their meetings dur
ing his lifetime at his house. This So
ciety was dissolved in the year 1873,
showing that it was in existence for at
least five years. as Franklin died in
1880
''In the year 1902 another was insti-
tuted and incorporated in 1910 under the
name of the Philadelphia Typographical
Society. 1t was founded not only upon
the principle of mutual benefit, but also
to equalize the price of labor snd thus
to prevent imposition taking place rpon
the journeyman and employer.
"The members deem themselves bOurd
to procure employment for one another
in preference to those not belonging 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 III 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 dispersed through every
part of the Union"
The Typographical Society went along
well with its work for 90 years, when
disagreements over the question of free
memberships resulted in reorganization
on April o, 1881, the property of the old
society being turned over to the new
one.
The society has always been patriotic
and public spirited. 1t was self-sacri-
ficng in the investment OF its funds in
1872 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 body to
honor Lafayette when our citizens cele
brated his revisit to this country in
1924.
When the one hundred birthday of
Washington was commemorated in 1882
the society had a float in the parade,
with pressmen printing copies of the
Farewell Address" of the father of his
country.
The members of the society paid trib-
ute of respect to the memory of La
fayette when that friendly and patriotic
Frenchman died in 1884. The funeral of
President William Henry Harrison was
attended by the members in lS4l. Those
who served their country in the Civil
War were kept in good standing.
Until the formation of Philadelphia
Typographical Union No. 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.