Workmen's advocate., March 12, 1887, Image 1

About Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891

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WOBKMEFS
ADVOCATE.
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Dew fjaueu, outuctlcttt, ,9aturttai, jftlavch 12, 1887
f tie 3 tuts
ORGANIZED LABOR,
THE CONNECTICUT FEDERA
TION OF TRADES.
A Large (JutlierJnir of Trades I'liion
ists Election of Ollloers-A
(ood Heir i n ii i n ir-He-ii
on lie I iii,'' the Su
preme Court.
The State convention of trades
unions, held at Hartford March S
and 9, was an unexpected success.
Two-thirds of all trades unions in
this State were represented by delo-
j gates. The following places sent,
i delegates:
I Aiistmin Carpenters' Union and 'i-
! gannakers' Union.
Iki ifmrft -Cigarmakers Union, (Jen-
tral 1 abor Union, Paper Box Makers
Union, Carpenters' Union, Hat Finishers'
; Union.
Ihiitfwtl Carpenters' Union. Bar
bers' Union, llodcarriers' Union, Cen
tral Labor Union, Typographical Union,
Tailors' Union, Makers' Union, ('igar
makers' Union.
Hru iiford Iron Molders' Union.
Mew Hu vex Carpenters' Union, Bar
bers' Union, Cigarmakers';Unions 119 and
i7, Tailors' Union, Typographical Union,
Trades Council, Woodearvers' Associa
tion. BritlyrjKH t Cigarmakers' Union.
bomlauijtoH Iron Molders Union.
Norwiclt Typographical Union,
Meriden -Carpenters and Joiners and
Central Labor Unions.
iVec ZfnYa it -Iron Molders' Union.
Mauyutiick lion Molders' Union.
Kouth A'uriealk Cigannakers' Union.
iXoncalk Iron Molders' Union.
irteWf7--Bricklayers' and Masons'
fJnion.
Other unions, not able to send
Relegates, signified their intention to
(pin the federation at an early date
una accept the platform adopted by
rf.io convention.
The convention, after due consid
eration, resolved to form a State
Branch of the American Federation
of Trades.
The convention also resolved to
recommend to the organized work
ing people in general the trade
marks (labels) of the Cigarmakers
International Union, the Tailors'
Progressive Union, the Iron Mold
ers' Union and the Baker's Union.
The convention also voted to re
commend to Organized Labor to h
galize their efforts in behalf of the
working people by taking active
part in independent labor politics
wherever such may seem practical
The class verdict against the
Courier boycotters called forth an
expression of sympathy for the New
Haven printers, and the decision
was denounced as contrary to justice
and law.
Also to assist and encourage the
labor papers of the State and in gen
eral.
At the request of the Hartford
Typograpj '.Union the Hartford
Kaiminen Christian Herald were
denounced as "rat" papers.
The convention adopted in sub
stance the constitution of the Amer
ican Federation of Trades adopted
at the Columbus, 0., convention.
The following officers were chosen
for the next year:
President, H. J. Bacon, of the Carpen
ters and Joiner's Union, of Merideii; Y irst
Vice-President, K. J. Teele. of the Brick
laytr's Union, Waterbury; Second Vice-
President. Mrs. J. t. DeLong, of the flat
1 runnier s Union, JUnbury; Secretary,
W. E. Cree, of the Cigarniaker's Union,
Hartford; Treasurer, P. 11. Pagan, of
Hartford Carpenters I'nion.
An executive committee was
elected as follows: D. T. McXa-
mara, New Haven; John Garvey, of
New Britain; S. G. Nichols, of
Hartford, who, in connection with
the President, First Vice-President,
Secretary and Treasurer will com
pose the active officers for the ensu
ing year, and will endeavor to
strengthen and promote trades union
interests. James Godaker, rrank
11. Gruenthal and E. II. Weir, all of
Hartford, will be responsible for the
funds with the treasurer.
Meriden was selected as the place
of meetiug for the next convention,
and the first Monday in October the
date.
A well attended mass meeting was
held at American Hall Tuesday
evening, at which Samuel (lumpers,
of New York, delivered an address
in favor of trades unionism. He
showed clearly the natural growth
of trades unionism, explaining their
democratic conduct of their affairs,
and disparaged the course pursued
by the Knights of Labor in paying
large salaries and buying expensive
and luxurious quarters for their ex
ecutives, and also proved conclu
sively that the absolute autonomy of
of trades is the surest method of
preserving the objects for which
wage-workers arc striving through
their unions. His remarks were
much applauded.
He was followed by Mr. hdward
Finkelstone, of the Barbers' Union
of New York, who spoke for the
barbers, one ot the most overworked
and poorly paid trades in the
country, and asked all to aid them
in their efforts to perfect national
organization.
SOCIAL POLITICAL NOTES.
Strange how the "democratic"
vote is being decimated in New York
city. Boodler after boodlor is chang
ing his residence.
Local and sectional preference
may place this or that qualifying
adjective or adverb before the name
of the Labor Party, but that need
not alter the determination of Amer
ican Labor to unite when the time
conies upon some common, pro
gressive platform. Whatever the
name, the Labor Party is the party
of the future.
The use of the boycott is no
longer to be circumscribed by the
General Assembly of the Knights of
labor, and the Executive Board
has announced that the anti-boycott
resolutions of the Cleveland conven
tion are no longer in force. This
sensible decision was necessary in
view of the fact that as soon as the
workingmen ceased boycotting, the
bosses adopted the measure.
The Labor Party, of Denver, Col
orado, proposes to take a hand in
the April elections. An entire mu
nicipal ticket has been nominated,
and a platform in which the follow
ing is the leading plank: "We, the
organized working people of Denver,
declare that the lirst principle of
Americanism is that he who will not
labor neither shall he eat; that we
approve this doctrine and further
declare that the produce belongs to
the producers, the tools to the toilers
and that speculators must go."
The New York monopolists are
perfectly satisfied with the constitu
tion as it is, and their hirelings in
the State Assembly are doing their
best to prevent the constitutional
convention which the people of the
State by an overwhelming vote de
manded. When it comes to tramp
ling upon the expressed will of the
people it is time to prepare for the
use of something more potent than
the ballot.
The water thieves and speculators
who have been operating in New
Jersey are now at Harrisburg, Pa.,
seeking corporation powers and
charters, to seize upon and possess
the sources of water supply in the
Keystone commonwealth, for the
purpose of hereafter laying toll on
towns and villages. The ownership
of water is still within the people's
control. The thieves will probably
buy the legislators. Some dav the
outraged eople may hang both
gangs. X. V. Leader.
The organization of a national
party at Cincinnati composed of all
shades of dissatisfied people, is a fact.
The convention finally adopted the
name of Union Labor Party, though
at one time it had been decided to
name it Union Party. A reconsid
eration, however, followed, and the
word Labor was inserted. One of
the delegates suggested the name
"Mixed-up" Party, but that was not
euphonious enough, however well
it expressed the character of the ag
glomeration. Certain it is that the
farmer element, which was largely
represented, has taken a forward
step, though the platform is not so
radical as that of the United Labor
Party in various localities, where
the workingmen have already
achieved victories. Nor is it likely
that the workingmen who have
marched under the banner of an ad
vance labor parly will beat a retreat,
even though they may have to wait
for the farmer's contingent to catch
up with them.
SNEAKED OUT.
Charles Hradlaugh sneaked out of the
House of Commons when the condition
of the unemployed was brought on the
other night. The workers never really
supported this overrated bully, but they
now hiss and hoot him publicly as a cow
ardly olfice-seeker and traitor to the
cause of the people. IahhUhi Justice.
MRS. LANGTRY TELLS TALES.
Mrs. Langtry has been lately
treated with coldness by the British
aristocracy. They are tired of their
pet. But the aristocracy were wrong
to offend a woman who knows them
so well. She has spoken some bit
ter and truthful words, that will
make many an ear tingle. "The
aristocratic world," she says, "is
hopelessly corrupt. What the pub
lic learns is a mere trifle to what the
public never hears. The men and
women of fashion stand by each
other and help in mutual conceal
ment." "Besides." she adds, "they
lay claim to moral privileges, and
think they can do what other peo
plo dare not." This is the most ter
rible and most truthful word of all.
And we, the Democracy, are not
without our share of blamo. Every
moment that . we permit these privi
leges of hell to contiuue, we are sin
ning against the clearest light.
London Democrat.
ENGLAND AWAKENING
A Labor Amendment Which Did Not
Pass Nevertheless a Mood Sign.
London, Feb. 25. Last week a
most unusual thing occurred in the
House of Commons. An amend
ment was actually moved to the Ad
dress that the question of the Unem
ployed should be considered ! After
three short speeches had been made
the Speaker, who is simply a Tory
tool, closed the debate, although
night after night had been wasted
with quibbling over some unimport
ant item of government policy. Of
course, questions which deeply affect
the interests of the working classes
must be carefully excluded from
that assemblage, of landlords and
capitalists yclept Parliament. To
his great shame be it stated Mr.
('has. Bradlaugh, who has for so
many years posed as the representa
tive of the working classes, got up
and left the House when the divis
ion took place upon the amendment.
Some of the "labor representatives,"
so called, were also absent whilst
those who were present and who
voted for the amendment raised no
protest against the arbitrary and des
potic ruling, of Speaker.
The present crisis in the North
umberland coal trade is one which
will be long remembered. The at
titude of both men and masters
points to a long and bitter struggle.
The coal owners are determined to
enforce the reduction of the miners'
wages, and the men are as firm in
resisting the reduction. The drain
upon the resources of the Union is
enormous: ciose ujon X'8,000 ($40,
000) a week being required for sti ike
pay. John E. Williams, of the So
cial -Democratic Federation, is visit
ing the district for the purpose of
holding meetings and making collec
tions in support of the men.
The iron trade shows signs of im
provement, and advances are being
asked by some of the Unions. The
Bolton IJranch of the Amalgamated
Engineers have demanded an in
crease of fifty cents a week. This
the masters refuse and a strike is
expected. II. W. Lee.
WATCH TOWER'S LIGHT
Shines on the Pathway of Senator Holt
and Makes it Look Crooked.
Nkw Biodi'oui), March 9, I SST.
To the Workmen' Advocate:
1 am glad to see that you don't
allow the film to grow over the eyes
of your readers. If every one could
discern public worth with the same
mental sagacity, there would soon
be an end to all bossism. Bob How
ard, the king of the mule spinners
in this district, Senator, and Master
Workman of a Knights of Labor
Assembly, has played some small
capers in labor matters in this dis
trict of late. He was the arbitrator
in the late spinners' strike in this
city, He settled it by sacrificing
the most conspicuous unionist among
the spinners, whereby the man was
debarred from getting auy work in
the place, although he is a good hand
religious and temperate, and has a
wife and six children depending up
on him for daily bread. This man
was promised ten dollars a week for
his martyrdom. He got it for live
weeks; then, five dollars for four
four weeks. Then the generous and
noble order offered him the munifi
cent sum of ten dollars per week,
which he indignantly refused; yet,
Senator Bob never uttered a word in
his behalf.
The Senator engineered the strike
of the woolen weavers in Fall lliver,
and his shoddy sympathy for the
master class was again conspicuous.
He settled the strike by sacrificing
the best and most prominent man
of the Knights in the mill, and
there not being another mill of the
kind in the city, this man's fidelity
will cost him dear at the hands of
the Honorable Senator.
Possibly these are victories for
Bobby and his friends, the manufac
turers, but two of the best labor
men in this part of the State have
been sacrificed needlessly.
One of the subscribers here to the
Fibre and Fabric received for his share
a few weeks ago a barrel of beer.
Watch Tow e it.
THE WESTERLY, R. I., STRIKE.
Conspiracy of Capitalists Against
Working; People.
The following came just as we
were going to press, and the burden
of it is the same old story of wrong
and oppression. Keep away from
Westerly.
Pkoviih:n :k, March ?. The Moss
Manufacturing Company, of Wes
terly, li. L, by its arbitrary and ty
rannical conduct forced its em
ployes to go out on strike on No
vember 4 tli last, since which time
not one man, woman or child has
returned to work.
On the one had it is the Moss
Manufacturing Company backed by
the combined capital of the State,
the "Slater Club," and on the other
it is those men, women and children
backed by organized labor.
Briefly, the strike did not arise
from a question of wages, though in
csdental to it, but because the super
intendent sought to compel Bthe
weavers to operate more looms, and
produce perfect cloth than it was
possible for them to do, and do so
at a reduced rate, which was simply
an attempt to increase the already
destructive competition among the
laborers. And now having failed to
browbeat, cajole, or intimidate us
otherwise, they have arrested two of
the strikers, and sworn out writs for
others, charging us with conspiracy
to raiae wages, and claiming '-J0,000
damages from each man, and among
others to be proceeded against the
publishers of the Boston Herald,
and the district master workman of
the K. of L. of this State.
We ask you, Mr. Editor, to give
publication to this that the masses
may have some knowledge of the
true state of affairs, and that the
men and women may not to en
trapped into doing something that
they would not do were they rightly
informed, namely, become the agents
of their own degradation by being
made the tools for the destruction
of their fellow toilers. I). M. W.
IN LUXURY'S LAP
"PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO
THE FAITHFUL."
Especially Prosperity Tlie Luxury of
One is the Luxury of All Car
pets of Hand-Woven Satin.
A Wine Cooler and a
llurtflar Alarm
i 'oiiiloiisril I'rutii t lit- .lourmil, oflli'liil onriiii of
the K of I..
The general executive board of
the Knights of Labor last week com
pleted negotiations for the purchase
of new and permanent headquarters
for the order in Philadelphia.
The residence which has been va
cated for the general executive board
is considered one of the handsomest
in tho city. The building is of
brown stone, four stories high, with
a frontage of about forty feet, with a
two-story brick stable, which is fitted
up in modern style, with stalls, har
ness room, storage rooms and dwell
ing apartments for attendants.
The board has also purchased the
real property, furniture, furnishings
and fixtures of tho building. The
building is entered by a broad flight
of brown stone steps, on either side
of which is a heavy stone hand rail.
Above the heavy walnut double
doors is a small stone balcony, upon
which one of the Becond-story win
dows opens. There are two large
windows on each sido of the door,
and the entry separates two rooms,
the width of each of which is about
fifteen feet. The entry is carneted
with Wilton carpet and likewise tho
stairs, which lead to a large stained
glass window representing the four
seasons. The balusters are of
cf.rved wood of unusual thickness,
and the newel post is surmounted by
a bronze. J he room on the south,
which was the parlor, is carpeted
with hand-woven satin and lined car
pet that was made especially in
Brussels. The room is about forty
feet long, and contains three large
mirrors framed in handsomely
carved walnut. The mantels are in
laid with marble, line lace curtains
and ornamented hangings decorate
the windows, and the walls are fres
coed with elaborate designs. In this
room are three immense old-gold
satin tufted battings, one of which,
on the southern wall, covers a sur
faco of probably twenty feet, square.
They are several inches deep, and
are bordered with colored satin
hangings. Some of the wood carv
ings about the mirriors are elaborate.
This room, which is to be occupied
by (leneral Secretary Charles II.
Li tollman and his corps of assist
ants, many of whom are ladies, is
partly separated from a small recep
tion room, about twelve by fifteen
feet in dimensions, by huge veneered
and highly polished double columns.
A magnificent chandelier is one of
the features of this small room. The
reception room opens again, through
sliding doors with plate-glass win
dows, upon what was ferrnerly the
picture gallery. The gallery is about
forty feet long. The floor is inlaid
with hard wood. Around this room,
as around all others in the house,
there is solid marble wainseoating
about three feet deep.
On the north side of the entrance
there is a room which was formerly
occupied as a library. It is hand
somely frescoed, and is partly divi
ded by polished walnut columns.
It is carpeted with Axminster and
contains three stationary book cases,
two large mirrors and hand-made
lace curtains, with red plush hang
ings. There are two open fire-
f daces in the room with imitation
ogs, through which gas is burned,
and around them are handsome brass
mounted steel "fire dogs." There
are a number of large windows and
easy chairs, covered with red velvet,
together with a massive sofa uphol
btered m the same way, which ex
tends a distance of ten feet along the
southern wall and is rounded to fit a
pedestal over which a chandelier is
supended. 77 m room will be used
bjl the Kitiyhlx as a ''reception room."
At the back of tho room there are
large windows wdiich open upon the
smoking room. This room has in
it a large brown leather sofa and a
wine cooler.
The wood decorations are beauti
ful and the floor is covered with a
Wilton carpet. Back of tho smok
ing room is the dining room, which
is lighted through an octagon-shaped
dome. This room is about twenty
four feet square and from an artistic
point of view is probably the hand
somest in the building.
The base of the dome has eight
sides, upon which are painted repre
sentations of fruits and flowers.
Above these sides are perpendicular
skylights over which the dome again
assumes the shape of an octagon, tho
sides of which are painted emblem
atic of tho seasons. From the cen
ter of the dome is suspended a re
volving chandelier, with twenty
four highly polishod and ornamented
brass burners. Around the base of
the dome, carved in wood, is a deer,
with real antlers, a boar, ducks, fish
and other specimens of game. There
are five doors in tho room, around
all of which is ornamentation, and
eight carved columns run up its
sides.
On tho second and third floors of
the main building there are eight
largo private apartments which are
finely carpeted and the windows of
which are covered with lace curtains
and satin hangings.
On the fourth floor in front is one
large room extending the length of
the building, which contains a bil
liard table covered with mrble.
The entire building is heated by
steam, and there aie registers in
every room. . There are also electric
call bells, messenger calls and burg
lar alarms. '
Ah, There !
BRIDGEPORT.
Politicians Uneasy Straight Nomina
tions Socialism Applauded. 1
Last Sunday evening our Independent
Labor Party had a large and enthusiastic
meeting, and commenced making nomi
nations fur city and town election. The
proceedings were spirited but harmoni
ous. Kverylnxly seemed desirous to
have none but honest producers who are
in full sympathy with radical reform on
the ticket.
Up to tlie eleventh hour the politicians
of the rum and hoodie parties trusted
the Independents would not attempt to
nominate a straight labor ticket, and
that the workinguien would, as of yore,
march under t lie party whips. In such
idle hopes they were encouraged by
some heelers who have unfortunately
invaded the ranks of the K. of L. The
subsidized party press had abstained for
a while from its venomous attacks on
lator organizers and agitators, which
attacks had about the same effect on the
latter as barking dogs have on the pro
gress of a locomotive. Hut the die is
cast and mud-slinging from the "demo
cratic" quarters at least, is in order.
With intense relish these organs reprint
ed a slanderous falsehood appearing in a
paper issued by Troup's lieutenant, in
Hartford a lit disciple of that worthy.
1 1 announced to your readers last !
wti one of our most prominent carpet
me mnts was to read a paper on
" at is Socialism?" at the Scientific
Society. The event took place Tuesday
evening. I doubt whether the local
dailies would have urged the public, as
they did, to attend the lecture of Mr.
McCord. who. thev said, had all the
ability to handle that subject, had they
anticipated his conclusions, t rom Midi
a course they certainly eipected nothing
short of denunciations of Socialism.
The lec turer's clear and logical exposi
tion of the new Gospel and his final en
dorsement of all its aims must have been
a sad disappointment to them. '
A remarkable feature of the lecture
was that three-fourths of the audience
consisted of ladies, w ho gave the closest
attention to the seaker ami manifssted
their approbation hy prolonged applause.
He quoted extensively from Belel and
(Ironlund.
It is amusing to see the most conserv
ative element gradually ojen their eyes,
while the highest official of the largest
lalKir organization is playing the ostrich
for fear of stepping on somebody's 'corn
and disturbing the beautifid harmony
U-tweeii the wolf and the sheep.
C'RAXK.
L
f.