that honesty is a lost virtue. The business world trains men by undoing all the schools and churches do, to become shrewd robbers through the abuse of the purchaser's confidence. Look at the defalcations of trusted officials; at the cashiers who wreck banks; at the gangs of cut-throat robbers throughout the land. Look at the time-serving politician whose chief ambition is to be re-elected; at the bookkeepers in many departments of business peculating funds and falsifying footings. Look at the agents who have "gone wrong" at the merchants who liquidate debts by the popular deed of trust; at the many receiverships all over the land; and look at the hundred instances daily of shameless misrepresentations, and is it any wonder the pessimist asks his miserable question? The man who robs his fellow man should be severely dealt with, and be made an outcast who never again can engage in business. It is a crime upon society to work up sympathy for a criminal. Indeed, the laws are not severe enough now. The government is running lax on the theory of "moral suasion,' just as families are ruined by the same fad. Perhaps the law is administered impartially enough to the poor man who steals a few cents, but the rich thief who steals thousands of dollars is turned loose, perhaps, and allowed to live in luxury and style on his filchings. Is this right? The government is lax in these cases. The poor thief scarcely knew right from wrong and ought to be pitied, if any one should be, rather than the big thief, who moved in what the world calls the cultivated class of society and knew better. A reform is pressingly needed in the administration of these laws. If honesty is removed from our civilization the chief corner-stone is gone. Are the press and the pulpit doing their whole duty in this matter? With all these corrupting examples before them continually, it is no wonder the young business man is turned out a trained rascal. Direct Legislation. "DIRECT LEGISLATION, THROUGH THE INITIATIVE AND THE Referendum."-POLITICAL DECLARATION No. 2, DENVER CONVENTION. There are several lengthy bills prepared on this subject, each being very instructive and worthy of following, but perhaps none of them come so near the ideal system of the referendum as the annexed copy of an amendment to the township charter of Kearney, N. J., for direct legislation in all local matters. It is herewith published in full, so that it may be a guide for such of our friends as can assist in pushing forward the principles of declaration No. 2. This amendment is proposed as a supplement to such already existing charter right as a township or district may be working under, and is as follows: I. Be it Enacted, by the senate and general assembly of the state of . . . ., That the legislative power upon all measures for the government of the township of. shall be exercised by the senate and general assembly, and such other subordinate bodies as they or the people of the state have authorized or may authorize, and in addition thereto shall be vested in the by petition and qualified electors of the township of vote, iu manner to be hereafter provided. 2. And be it Enacted, That the right to reject any measure passed by the senate and general assembly, or any subordinate body, which specially affects the township of. ., or any measure (such as contracts, agreements, regulations, ordiuances, etc.) passed by the board of township committee of the township of. shall be vested in the qualified electors thereof by petition and vote, in manner to be hereafter provided. . 3. And be it Enacted, That the board of township committee of the township of . within three (3) months after the passage of this act shall, and when necessary from time to time thereafter, may pass ordinances to carry the provisions hereof into effect, therein providing that measures for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace and safety, which have been declared urgent by a three-fourths vote of the board of township committee of the township of . . . ., may take effect immediately; that all other measures shall not go into effect for at least thirty (30) days after passing, and if, during that time, a petition for a vote by the people on any such last-mentioned measure, properly signed by the qualified electors in number not less than five (5) per centum of the votes cast at the last township election, shall have been signed and filed with the township clerk, then not till a vote is had thereon, and if a majority of the votes cast be against the said measure, then not at all. 4. And be it Enacted, That any measure enacted by a vote of .said qualified electors, shall not be repealed or altered without a vote of the said electors on the proposed repeal or alteration. And the board of township committee of the township of may, at any time, refer any question to a vote of the electors. 5. And be it Enacted, That the provisions of the ordinances enacted hereunder by the board of township committee of the township of. or by the qualified electors of the township of.. to govern the reference of measures to a vote of the electors, or the initiation of measures by petition from the electors, shall govern the action of the said electors on measures passed by any other legislative body in the state, or desired by said electors, which measures specially affect the township of. save that the township clerk shall duly notify the clerk of the legislative body having jurisdiction, of the filing of petitions and of the vote thereon. 6. And be it Enacted, That nothing in the acts to which this act is a supplement shall be taken or construed to limit the powers of legislation herein or otherwise vested in the qualified electors, and all provisions therein, in conflict herewith, are hereby rescinded and annulled. cure. THERE seems to be at least one man who does not look upon a salaried office in a labor union as a sineIn the National Union of Shoemakers, which was established at the convention in Boston last week, the salary of the president was fixed at $25 a week and expenses, yet F. L. Daley of Lynn, general secretary of the Lasters Protective Union of America, declined to stand as a candidate for the position, although he was evidently the choice of a great majority of the delegates.-Lynn Daily Item (Rep.) VOL. II. TRADE STUOI COUNCIL No. 3. MAY, 1895. AFTER reading the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST pass it to a friend. By an almost unanimous vote the members of District Assembly 216, K. of L., the Boot and Shoe Workers International Union and the Lasters Protective Union of America, decided upon an amalgamation of their forces, and on April 10 a convention was held at Boston, Mass., at which 154 delegates, representing eighty-six unions from forty-six different cities and seven states, sounded the death-knell of division and discord by establishing the Boot and Shoe Workers Union and electing a full line of officers. With unity among the boot and shoe craft, the future will bring increased benefits to members. We wish them success. A SHORT WORK-DAY. THE twenty-four-inch rule is an instrument made use of by operative mechanics to measure their work, but after their nine, ten or eleven hours of daily toil they can find a moral use for it in laying off a better division of their time, a division that will bring more beneficent results if pushed to its logical conclusion than appears at first sight. The moral use of the mechanic's twenty-four-inch rule is to divide his time by it into three equal parts, whereby he finds eight hours for his usual avocation, eight hours for rest and recuperation and eight hours for mental development and social intercourse. Economic thinkers agree that the eight-hour day is not a panacea for our difficulties, or even a solution of the question of the hours of employment, but ninety per cent of wage earners agree that it is a step in the right direction, and if its adoption depended on their vote it would be a law before the first of June. Political objection may be made, for it has a political side, as was shown in the Denver convention when some of its old friends, and who had been active in securing it for their trades, were found speaking and voting against it as a "legal" measure; but, to argue against the legality of an eight-hour day is to argue that it is illegal, and therefore wrong, which is a rather uncomfortable position in which to find the representatives of organized labor. If it is not legal to establish an eight-hour day, it is not legal to establish a ten-hour day. Yet the fact remains that there are laws in several states specifying the number of hours for a legal day's work. This is eminently correct, and is beautifully illustrated in John Stuart Mills "Limits of Society Over the Individual," in which he points out that, whenever the actions of the individual affects or interferes with that of his neighbors, society has a right to step in and limit such individual's actions so as to comply with the good and welfare of the community. Again, firms and corporations, being chartered by the state, are subject to such conditions in their charter rights as the state may impose, including a compliance with such state laws as may be made applicable to their operations. Few, if any, people of sound judgment can be found to question that it is wrong for two men to be compelled to work hard for twelve hours a day each when a third man stands idly by and cannot find employment. The so-called liberty of such employer is a transgression on workman number three, and society, or the state, has a right to step in and divide the twenty-four hours' employment wrung from numbers one and two into three equal parts and give work to all three. an Apart from the question of legality, the eight But hour day is morally right and workingmen want it. Why do others oppose it? Does corporate wealth demand to govern the home as well as the workshop? If so, the mutterings on the illegality of a short work-day among trades unions must make rich men smile away down in their souls-if they have souls. laborious work may have something to do with generating the idea of a legal short work-day, as it is impossible to find a hard-working man who is not a convert to the system. This locates the opposition as coming from men not in close touch with the rank and file, or who do not express their feelings. An adverse court decision on such a law proves that the judge has outgrown his usefulness, in that he gives an individual construction on a measure passed upon by the people through their representatives; and to some extent contrary to our system of government, which is built upon a majority vote. The short work-day does not, however, depend on court decisions. It depends on education and organization of the masses and the availability of discipline in the trade union. Custom can then do the balance, and it is the business of organized labor to make the custom. The rich will never make a gift of it to wage workers. Voting for it will avail little until our judiciary and form of prosecution are altered by remodeling the former on representative lines, and instilling some semblance of justice into the latter The toilers favor a short workday and the contractors have little to lose by it, as they adjust prices accordingly, but if smaller profits follow there is little harm done, as they have been receiving more than their share, and in case they have performed no work they are unworthy of consideration. If voting right" is to be part of the labor movement, and it should, it is our duty to provide ways and means for our membership knowing how to vote, and no more important means can be recorded than the establishment of a legal work day of not more than eight hours CLEVELAND'S FINANCIERING. THE mountain has labored again, but to say that a mole hill has been brought forth would require a remarkable stretch of conscience, as well as a perversion of the language of our country that would be pitiable. Grover knows it all. He has the courage of his convictions, it is said, yet this is mythological as far as the money question is concerned, for it would take a strong magnifying glass to find any semblance of a conviction in his letter to the Chicago "business men. He has written so many letters that it is difficult for him to say anything startling at this late date. He is a gold bug of the first water, and does not give bi-metallists credit even for being sincere in their belief. This is adding insult to injury, when we recall the part he played in the last bond-selling transaction, and shows him to be inseparably wedded to the bankers' and bond venders' art. He hopes his letter will disseminate among the people safe and prudent financial ideas. He may have meant well, but he did not do well. He offered nothing as a relief for the present stagnant and gloomy marts of trade. His "safe and prudent financial ideas have been in full force these many years, and the country has been going to the dogs as a result. As a bid for a third term it was even a poor "feeler," and showed the man of destiny to be in his dotage on the money question. His "estimate of the proprieties of his official place" must be so pampered, and his duck-shooting orgies on the lower Chesapeake so entertaining, that he has not found out anything of the reversion of feeling in other single-standard countries on the money question, or even the vox populi in the United States. Yet the letter has a remarkable side, and Gov. Altgeld fittingly found it in his remark that it is the first instance in the history of the country and republic in which a president of the United States, after using all the powers of government, has, in addition, condescended to write for the newspapers in order to serve his masters. As a financier the president is a failure, and the sooner he finds it out the better it will be for the country. Bi-metallism is in the air and is bound to come. PRESIDENT MCBRIDE'S RETURN. IT IS gratifying to be able to state that President McBride has returned to headquarters practically a new man. He left Hot Springs, Ark., in time to attend the April meeting of the Executive Council, and thereafter assumed active charge of the full duties of his office. The vacation and baths had a very exhilarating effect, giving him new vigor and activity. His well-known cheerfulness has reasserted itself as a leading feature in his bearing, and it is safe to say that he is good for considerable hard work, both with tongue and pen, in fulfillment of the important position he occupies. The movement needs his active participation, and in the near future the work that demands his attention will be taken up as occasion requires and pushed forward with the candor and aggression that the situation at the present time must have. EVERY member of a labor organization should subscribe for the FEDERATIONIST. SIGNS OF legislaTIVE REFORM. EFFORTS are being made in many localities by the advocates of direct legislation to secure tangible recognition for that reform. They not only deserve encouragement but are receiving it in all places where they are making a specialty of the subject. New Haven, New York, New Jersey, California, Oregon and Oklahoma are all showing signs of being partial to their arguments. This is one of the subjects that trade unionists can, and do, follow up without causing inherent political dissensions in our trade meetings. It is worthy our most careful consideration, and when better understood will be the death-knell to the tricks of ward heelers and paid stump orators, two forms of parasites on the body politic that · are noted for remarkable staying qualities and deceptive nomenclature. Michigan is also being treated to consideration of this subject through the aggressiveness of the secretary of the Street Railway Employes National Union, who is a member of the house of representatives, and whose name is attached to a state direct-legislation bill which was introduced about the first of April. The educational work of the Denver convention is thus being rapidly pushed ahead, and will in a short evolutional period show to the public the substantial, beneficent, yet politico-economical foundation on which our organization is built. A HAPPY THOUGHT. THOSE of our readers who are ever eager for something new and which can be utilized by every one, will find something coming nearly to a consummation of their wishes in the circlecheck idea so well portrayed in another column by the secretary of the Essex Trades Council of New Jersey. It practically makes every union man, or sympathizer, or member of their families, a walking delegate for the staple selected under the system. Some central bodies dread the effect of it on the retail clerks, fearing that families would prefer to go where the check was used to going where union clerks are employed. This is superficial and lacks logical deduction. This could even be met by making the employment of union clerks the first prerequisite of the check and thereby strip this dread of all its venom. Some objection is made lest it be the means of raising the price of articles it covers, but again it can be used to prevent such a thing taking place, and these petty objections bring out the strength and beauty of the idea better, perhaps, than any other system of reasoning. It is easy to accomplish, cheap in its method, educational in its results and extremely beneficial in its effect. No better method of introducing trade labels has been offered, nor has any system of perpetuating their stay been vouchsafed than that conceived in the advent of the circle check. HARMONY ASSURED. THE capitalistic press was teeming a month ago with rumors of the immediate disruption of the Tin and Sheet Iron Workers National Union. Wholesale robbery was charged under scare heads, the incongruity of which was akin to the untruthfulness of the report. They have adjourned after a two weeks' session, in which they put every portion of the machinery of their organization into working order. Their constitution has been remodeled and many beneficial features added which will create a new interest in their union. The convention was held in the Indiana State House, and the twelve days' sessions were marked by a business system which might with propriety be taken by the legislature of that state as a model. The delegates paid their compliments to the defamers of their treasurer by re-electing him for another term. Many of them visited the A. F. of L. headquarters during their stay in Indianapolis, and their old and new executive officers called in a body, as a mark of fraternal relationship, after they adjourned. THE TROOPS TO BLAME. The THE roar of cannon and the clash of arms being no longer heard on the streets of Chicago, the hum of business, aided by the return of spring, is assuming its giddy whirl, and the snort of the interstate locomotive is vying with the toot of the lake steamer or the whistle of the factory for commercial supremacy. railroad riots of last summer would have been almost forgot had not the Debs trial again come forward to remind an emotional public of the social conflict. It is a remarkable coincidence that the "official" truth should also crop out just at this time, showing who was responsible there for the carnage last year, but such is true, as the chief of police has just issued an official report treating on this subject, which, in part says: "It is a notable fact that there was no trouble where there were no troops. In all cases where the police were left to themselves peace was preserved, property was kept uninjured and the interference with non-union workmen was trifling." He further avers: "The most annoying element consisted of half-grown boys, who were determined to do mischief;" and because this officer has dared to tell the truth the capitalistic press is trying to besmirch his character by calling him "Altgeld's disciple." It is questionable if they could have done him better honor. ATION OFFICIALS MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. [Extract.] INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 22-24, 1894. Present, John McBride, P. J. McGuire, James Duncan, T. J. Elderkin, John B. Lennon, Aug. McCraith. Protest entered at Denver convention against legality of Illinois state convention October, 1894, was read. After investigation and general discussion it was Resolved, That in the case of the protest of Cigarmakers' unions and others of Chicago, accompanied by affidavits and other evidence regarding the validity of the Belleville convention of the Illinois state branch, and the election of officers thereof, as well as the delegate of said state branch to the Denver convention, we find that all officers were elected without contest by acclamation, also said delegate, and we therefore declare all said officers to have been legally elected, and to be the proper officers of the Illinois state branch. Application of Mosaic and Encaustic Tile Layers of Chicago for charter was granted, no objections being raised by parties interested. Label of Carriage and Wagon Workers International Union was endorsed. Voted, That affiliated bodies and organizers be requested to secure recognition for the Tin, Sheet Iron and Cornice Workers National Union in New York and other cities. In the matter of the disagreement existing between the National Union of Brewery Workmen and its local No. 18 of Chicago, referred by the Denver convention, being a request of said national union that local No. 18 be required to pay a certain indebtedness or be expelled from the Chicago Trade and Labor Assembly, it was voted: In the grievance of Brewers Union No. 18 of Chicago and the Trade and Labor Assembly of Chicago, against the National Union of United Brewery Workmen, the Executive Council of the A. F. of L. decide that the laws provided for a reserve fund and assessments were legally enacted, and the assessments were legally levied by officers elected, by the national union in lawfully assembled convention, in which union No 18 of Chicago was represented, For the aforesaid reasons the assessment of 10 cents per week on each member to support the locked-out brewery workmen of St. Louis is valid and constitutional under the laws of the National Union of United Brewery Workmen. Hence we decide that Union No. 18 of Chicago should pay its indebtedness of reserve fund and assessments now due to the national union, and that the latter body accept payment in installments, in order that Union No. 18 may not be financially embarrassed by the settlement. We further find from reports of the Central Labor Union of Boston, Mass., and other bodies affiliated with the A. F. of L., that the acts of the National Union of United Brewery Workmen in seeking to force its local unions, and the members of its local unions, into local assemblies of the K. of L. places that national union in the attitude of hostility toward the interest of the A. F. of L. And we further find that much of the trouble has been caused by the dual position of the National Union of United Brewery Workmen in being affiliated with both the A. F. of L. and K. of L., and that harmony can best be established and preserved by the National Union of United Brewery Workmen severing its connection with the K. of L. Therefore, in keeping with the spirit of the provisions of Section 1, Article 12 of the constitution, we require that the National Union of United Brewery Workmen withdraw from the order of the Knights of Labor within a reasonable time, and until this requirement is complied with we refuse to enforce the provisions of Section 3 of Article 4 of the A. F. of L. constitution, in the case of Brewers Union No. 18 of Chicago. Upon the request of the same union to place a boycott on certain breweries of Pittsburg and Allegheny, Pa., it was decided to withhold endorsement until the aforesaid National Union of Brewery Workmen withdraws from the K. of L. Protest received from Central Labor Union of Richmond, Va., against action of K. of L. in granting charter to scab musicians. Voted to support said protest and aid the central body in its efforts to secure redress. Request of Coopers International Union for endorsement of boycott against Buffalo barrels was referred to president, to secure a settlement if possible. Voted. That president and secretary be authorized to prepare a certificate of affiliation for social reform organizations, in accordance with resolution No. 75, proceedings, which may be composed of persons already connected with the A. F. of L., said organizations to be admitted upon payment of a charter fee of $5, to pay no per capita tax, and to have no delegate rep. resentation in national conventions, or in state or city central bodies. Request of Columbia Typographical Union to endeavor t secure a representative central body in Washington, chartered by the A. F. of L., referred to Second Vice President Duncan. Voted, That no certificates of affiliation be granted to federal labor unions to be composed in whole or in part of members of existing trade unions. Voted, That upon proper notification from organization concerned the president and secretary have power to remove boycotts. Request from Federated Trades Assembly of Baltimore to boycott the base ball club of that city for employing non-union labor on its grounds. Referred to Mr. Duncan. In the matter of the Arena Publishing Co. vs. Typographical Union No. 13 of Boston, referred to Mr. Duncan with instruc-. tions, when visiting that city, to wait upon Mr. Flower, and failing to amicably settle the trouble before June, that the said company be declared unfair. The report upon the uniting of the two central bodies in Louisville, Ky., was approved. In the disagreement of the engineers of St. Louis it was voted to recall charter of No. 5622 and erase the words "and stationary," allowing it to read "marine" engineers, and to recommend to No. 5658 to admit all worthy and eligible stationary engineers now belonging to No. 5622, exclusive jurisdiction of stationary engineers being granted to 5658. In the matter of charges against the president it was Resolved, That after careful consideration of the documentary evidence at hand there appears to be no foundation for the charges preferred against President McBride in the settlement of the miners and Hocking Valley Railroad strikes, but inasmuch as an investigation has been undertaken by the Trades and Labor Assembly of Columbus, Ohio, at the request of President McBride, we hereby deputize one of our members to repair to Columbus, confer with said Trades and Labor Assembly, the parties making the charges, the officers of the A. R U.. and all others interested, said member to report to this Council the result of his findings. Carried. First Vice President P. J. McGuire was appointed. Voted to issue charters to Mosaic and Encaustic Tile Layers local unions, the International having suspended. The boycott of the United Garment Workers on the clothing houses of Siegel & Bros. and Jos. Biefeld, Chicago, was endorsed. Voted to endeavor to secure affiiliation of Musicians National League, and its consolidation with A. F. of L. locals. Voted that an effort be made to secure the abolition of the "color line" in the International Association of Michinists. A number of bills and other legislative matters were referred to the president and secretary. Adjourned. AUG. MCCRAITH, Secretary. WE DON'T PATRONIZE. Union workingmen and workingwomen and sympathizers with labor have refused to purchase articles produced by the following firms. Labor papers please copy: JOS. BIEFIELD and SIEGEL & BROS., CLOTHIERS, CHICAGO, ILL. J. W. LOSSE TAILORING CO., ST. LOUIS. S. OTTENBERG & BROS.' CIGARS. JACKSON BREWERY, LAGER BEER. STUDEBAKER BROS. MAN'F'G CO'S CARRIAGES AND WAGONS. ST. LOUIS BREWERS' ASSOCIATION, LAGER beer. AMERICAN BISCUIT CO'S BISCUITS. YOCUM BROS., CIGARS, READING, PA. A. F. SMITH, SHOES, LYNN, MASS. UNITED STATES BAKING CO. WERNER PRINTING CO., AKRON, O. DAUBE, COHEN & CO., CLOTHING, CHICAGO. CLEMENT, BANE & CO., CLOTHIERS, CHICAGO. EVERY member of a labor organization should be a subscriber to the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST. |