The Oregon scout., May 22, 1886, Image 8

A LABORING MAN'S FRIEND,
Sketch of tlio Interesting Cnrrcr of
Grand Mnstor "Workman Powdcrly.
It serves them right; they should or
ganizc." Tlicso words, writes n Scran
Ion, Pa., correspondent of The New
York World, wcro oftcn.on tho lips of
Terenco I'owdcrly, tlio father of tho
present general master workman of the
Knignts of Labor, Terenco Vincent
Powdcrly. When gathered with his
children around tho family hearthstone
ho would talk to them of tho impor
tance of laboring men working togcth
cr for a common cause. Holding up si
bundlo of sticks ho would exclaim
"See, how easy It is to break tlicso ono
by one. and how difficult when all to
gcthcr." His youngest son, Terence
Vincent, was especially impressed with
these teachings, and his father often
Baid: "Terry will mako his mark some
day."
Mr. Powderly's father camo to this
country in 1820. IIo was then about
twenty-five years old. He was a pow
crful man, fully six feet tall, with a
Btrong constitution. Ho married be
foro ho left Ireland, and his first sou
was born on tho ship coming up tho
St Lawrence. IIo landed whero tho
present town of Ogdensburgh, N. Y.,
elands to-day. Two years wero spent
In Ogdensburgh, and then ho started
further south, ilo stopped at Utica for
a few months and then continued his
journc', arriving at Carbondale, his
future home, early in 1829. In those
days the coal was obtained by strippin
tho earth off and hewing tho coal out
with picks. As the process of mining
advanced, Mr. Powdorly became a mino
boss, and ho also opened a small store
which was managed by his wife. If ho
had been a little less careful ho might
have becomo ono of tho richest men in
Pennsylvania. A farm of over four
hundred acres was offered to him for
about $00. This farm contained soino
of tho largest deposits of coal in tho
slate. Its yield has amounted to a
great many hundred thousand dollars
and still seems inexhaustible. Mr.
Powdorlv. however, had a horror of
going into debt, and ho refused his op
portunity. IIo thus lived and died a
poor man.
Terenco V. was tho youngest son in
tho family of twelvo children, several
of whom aro now living. Three broth
ers aro living at Carbondalo and ono on
a farm in Sullivan county. Joseph, ono
of tho elder brothers, has just been ap
pointed post-master at Carbondalo.
Grand Master Workman Powdcrly
was born on January 22, 1819. His
studies wcro confined to reading, writ
ing, arithmetic and geography. At 1!1
ho was apprenticed to a machinist. He
was not a model boy in the sense of his
nover getting into mischief, although
ho generally had his lessons. Tho
schoolmaster, Mr. Bernard MoTighe,
maintained discipline, and ho had
occasion ono day to punish young
Powdorly sovorely. MoTighe, who was
h small man, passed tho plaeo where
Mr. Powdcrly was at work on his way
to school and Mr. Powdorly called out
to him and said:
'I hear you thrashed my boy yester
day." "Yes," was tho reply, "I thought it
was necessary."
"What did ho doP"
Aftor tho schoolmaster oxplaincd,
Mr. Powdorly said: "You did perfectly
right."
Young Powderly's studios did not end
with his apprenticeship to the machin
ist trade. His was a naturally thought
ful, inquiring mind, and his evenings
wero passod in reading. Ho earned
enough money to buy a copy of Shaks-l-.caro's
works, and was very fond of his
achievement.
When ho first entorcd the machine
shop Powdorly was set to work boring
out holes in car wheels. Notwithstand
ing his reading ho paid close attention
to his work and was advanced from
tlmo to timo until ho becamu master of
tho ttadc.
In 1807 Miss Hannah Devers, his
schoolmato and sweetheart, left Carbon
dalo with her parents for Seranton.
"My brothor," said Mr. Powderly's
youngest sister, at Carbondale, "is not
very much of a ladies' man. Oh, no,
ho Is not a woman-hater by any means,"
sho added, smiling, "but ho is not fond
of society."
Mr. Powdcrly loft Carbondalo in 18G9.
Two years before ho joined tho Knights
of Labor. Tho order was then in its
Infancy in Carbondale, but soon gained
quito a littlo local celebrity by tho in
telligent manner In which ho discussed
tho future of tho organization. On ar
riving in Seranton, Mr. Powdorly en
tered tho. machine shops of the Dela
ware, Lackawanna and Western Hall
road company. Ho recolved $2.60 a
day, spent his money carefully, neither
smoked nor drank, and became one of
tho most trusted employes about the
shops. "Mr. Powdorly was a quiet
man in many ways," said Mr. Gnrrlll
to-day, "Ho could talk well enough,
and no ono over saw him standing
around tho street corners, and I never
saw him stop to talk with anyone on
the street for more than a minute until
after ho became candidate for mayor.
After ho became mayor 1 was tho only
man ho left on tho old polico force of
tho city. Mr. Powdcrly wanted it re
organized and better mon appoinUd."
In 1871 Mr. Powdorly married his
Carbosdalo sweetheart, Hy this time
be bad become ono of tho loaders in the
local labor committee of Seranton and
was attracting attention to himself. IIo
beeamo a member of the Columbia Lit
erary society, where he made his first
reputation as a speaker. Ho also took
a course at a commercial college. Af
tor tho term Mr. Powdorly resumed his
studies at home. Ho formed tlio per
sonal acquaintance in 187G of Uriah
Stephens, who was then at tho head of
tho Knights of Labor. Ho used his in
fluence in Mr. Powderly's favor, and ho
was made the head of tho labor organ
ization in Seranton. During the strikes
of 1877 he urged peace and moderation,
and his counsel at that time, given in a
quiet way, probably saved thousands of
dollars' worth of property in Seranton.
Following the riots the labor organ
ization nominated a full county ticket
at tho fall election. Mr. Powdorly was
made a member of the county com
mittee. People endeavored to ridicule
them out of the contest, but the ticket
was elected by a largo majority. Tho
following spring Mr. Powdcrly was
nomiiiatod by the labor party for mayor
of Seranton, and he was elected. Tho
republican press charged Powdcrly with
being the candidate of tho Molly Ma
guires, and predicted, In the event of
Ids election, that the city would be turn
ed over to that lawless gang of ruffians,
but it only served to arouso tho sympa-'
thy of the people in his behalf. Tho
pcoplo of Carbondalo indorsed him
strongly. Mr. Powdcrly made a most
excellent and conservative mayor.
Two years later, when ho was again
nominated by the labor patty for mayor,
his predecessor, MoKunc, camo all tho
way ftom Canada to take a hand in
working for his election, and tho next
time after that tho democrats indorsed
his nomination. IIo could have been
elected again but he declined.
Mr. Powdcrly is now entering on his
seventh year as general master work
man of the Knights of Labor. Mr.
Stephens died in 1879, and Mr. Pow
dcrly, who hold the position next in
power, that of general worthy foreman,
beeamo his successor. During his
terms of office the Knights of Labor
have grown from a comparatively in
significant gathering into an organiza
tion of the greatest power and impor
tance, with a membership reaching far
up in the neighborhood of the millions.
Mr. Powdcrly s mother died about
ten years ago. Some idea of tho sizo
and extent of the family can be learned
from the fact that sixty ehildron and
grandchildren wcro gathered at her
funeral. Mr. Powdcrly, howevor, ban
no children. His father died during his
first term as mayor. Most of tho Seran
ton city officials went to Carbondalo to
attend tho funeral.
In spite of all his opportunities Mr,
Powdorlv is still a poor man. He lives
in a very modest cottage on tho out
skirts of Seranton, and it is doubtful
If the home, lot, and furniture would
bring more than 500 if put up for
sale. The salary of his position
is only $1,000 a year, but his
traveling expenses are paid by the or
ganization. Mr. Powdcrly does not ap
pear to lie chauged by his advancement.
Ho has the sumo kindly greeting for
his friends as when he was an ordinary
machinist. Ho is not without ambition,
but it is buliovcd to be confined entirely
to tho cause which ho represents. Ho
has been urged to accept tho nomina
tion for congress in this district, and in
his case it would bo equivalent to an
election, but ho has declined per
emptorily. His whole lifo has been consecrated
to tho cause which ho represents. If it
does not go out in the strugglo he is
now making against disease a great fu
ture unfolds Itself before him.
Coflln Factories.
There aro thirty-four coffin factories
in tho United Slates, and they ''irn out
an average of ISO coffins and caskets a
day. Tho largest factory is in Cincin
nati; it covers acres of ground and its
shop facilities aro so great that it man
ufactures everything necessary to a
complete funeral, except corpses. Any
thing from a taok up to a hearse can
bo seen in process of manufacture on
thoir premises. Noxt to Cincinnati,
Chicago has the largest coffin factories
Tho biggest coffin kept in stock is six
feel nine Inches in length and has an
opening of twenty-olght or twenty-nine
inches. The average opening is only
eighteen or nineteen inches, and the
average long coffin is six foot four
inches. Tho longest coffin turned out
by any factory is a nine-footer, in which
the dignitaries of tho Catholic Church
aro buried. Such a coffin was used at
tho burial of Cardinal McCloskey, the
extra length being required for his
crown which he wore in death. About
twentv-foiir hours wero taken to put
this coffin together, but any ordinary
coffin, that i, a coffin of extra large
bIzo, no matter what its cost or the
character of the trimmings or up
holstery, can bo put together from the
rough boards in three hours at tho ut
most. Cincinnati Covimoroial Qatetlc,
Tho Butting Brothor and His
Horso,
Thero is a colored preacher who lives
near Jaspur, Ga., that rules his horse
by butting him. If tho horso is frac
tious or stubborn he takes tho kinks out
by deliberately seizing it by tho ears
and butting it squarely in tlia forohoac
until it fulls on its knees. This I gen
erally done at tho second or third butt,
when tho old parson Mops behind and
drives uhoud again. Coivjir$ Go.)
South.
THE BREWING TRADE.
History of liner 1'iiormotiH Propor
tions of tlio Trmlc.
During the last general election the
liquor trade received considerable at
tention from newspaper men and poli
ticians, and since then tho feverish
activity of revivalists and temperance
people has kept it constantly before the
public. Tlio brewers in particular
have attracted a great deal of notice,
and the clippings from tho New York
papers alone for the last twelvo months
would mako n good-sized volume, but
it would read more like fairy tales than
facts to those who understand tho sub
ject. The official trade journals wrig
gle themselves in a perspiration in
every issue over the wicked stories of
tho temperance cranks and tho callous
ness of the public. Tho browcrs cer
tainly aro very often misrepresented,
and of their general character and
business methods most pcoplo are en
tirely ignorant.
The history of beer in this country is
very interesting. Tho pioneers in the
business were William Pcnn and Jaco
bus. Jacobus built his brewery in 1011,
on what is now the corner of Pearl
street and Old slip, where he also
established a beer garden. Ho after
ward beeamo the first burgomaster, and
his beer and justice gave equal satisfac
tion to tho citizens of New Amsterdam.
I'cnn's brewery was at Pcnnsburg,
Bucks county, Pa., where the excellence
of his brew was considered by no means
tho least of his virtues. A hundred
years that doughty soldier (Jen. Israel
Putnam was running a brewery and
tavern at Brooklyn, Conn.
The manufacture of lager beer in
America only dates back about forty
years, but it has gone ahead and spread
itself like the mustard seed in the para
ble. There are now about 2,200 brow
crs in this country, and they sold last,
year over PJ.UUU.UW barrels ot malt
liquors. Of this New York and Brook
lyn alono contributed near a quarter.
Tho next largest producers are Milwau
kee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago,
Boston, and Newark, in tho order
named. An estimate of the capital in
vested in tho trade would probably
reach at least $ 150, 000, 000. Ninety
five per cent, of tlio brewers aro Ger
mans, and a more enterprising and
public spirited class of men it would be
very hard to find.
The twenty-fifth annual convention
of tho United States Brewing associa
tion, which was held in this city last
year, served to remind New Yorkers
what a powerful body of men tho brew
ers arc. Their inlluence in politics is
necessarily very great, and they know
how to turn it to the best account. Be
sides this association t here are
soino twenty subsidiary organizations
throughout tho country, of which the
United States Brewers' and Maisters'
association is the best known, tlio elec
tion of Mr. Cook, a Rochester brewer,
as secretary of state of New York hav
ing been largely tho result of its oflbrts.
Tho Association of t ho United Lager
Beer Brewers of New York city and
vicinity confines itself strictly to trade
all'airs, such as regulating tho credit
system with saloon-keepers. The .a-loon-koepors,
as a rule, aro men of
small capital, but as their business is
for spot cash, they ought to bo ablo to
pay thoir bills every week. Under the
rules of litis association a brewer inut
bo satisfied that a new customer has
paid his debts to other brewers before
supplying him with beer. Before this
rulo was made $100 was tho maximum
crodit a brewer could safely give,
wheroas now ho can givo credit to four
times that amount with comparatively
littlo risk. Unfortunately tho associa
tion has not been able to regulate
prices, and competition is so intensely
keen that the market is practically de
moralized. In the early history of this
industry a well-established brewer con
sidered his name as his principal stock
in trade, but tho busines nowadays is
entirely in the hands of collectors, to
whoso caprice the brewers must submit.
The trouble is that the great number of
now breweries which have sprung up
In and mound New York during tho
hist few years, and the extensivo growth
of tho old establishments, have not been
mot by a sufficient increase in tho con
sumption of bcor. Tho expectation of
a largo increaso in tho demand lmvo
boon considerably cheeked by tho
general depression in trade, and
thero aro probably few local brew
eries working up to anything liko
their full capacity. Consequently,
the brewers lmvo to tax all thoir re
sources to retain their trade, and they
oiler so many inducements that their
margin for profit is reduced to very
narrow limits. Tho regular price of
lager boor is 88 a barrel, but tho major
ity of the brewers have adopted a slid
ing scale of discounts, varying from 5
to 2,r) per cent, making tho price equal
to ?G a barrel. Besides this they havo
got into tho way of giving their cus
tomers ico-boxu to keep their beer In,
putting in ptnto glass window:, fitting
up their burs, etc., and tho man who
makes tho most presents gets tho trade.
The percentage of profit in the business
is much less than is generally supposed
at tho best of times, and thco and other
items cat into a brewer's earnings en
ormously. The retailors aro the men
who make tho big money. They buy
their beer for $0 a barrel and squeeze
live hundred glasses out of it, which at
6 cents a glass amounts to $25.
The only wonder is that this compe
tition among the brewers has not been
at tho expense of the quality of their
beer, which is better to-day than it ever
was.
An attempt was recently made by
some of tho larger brewers of New York
. and vicinity to form a pool similar to
1 those existing in Rochester and Mil
I waukee, tho object of which was to
I rcgulato prices and correct the other
abuses wc havo mentioned. The prop
; osition was to form a money pool, tho
! members pledging themselves to sell
only at a fixed price, allowing no dis
counts and ofl'ering no "illegitimate" in
ducements in order to make new cus
tomers; in short, to retain their own
trade at a fair profit, and interfere with
each other as littlo as possible. Any in
frlugement of the rules was to be visit
ed by a money penalty, to insure tlio
collection of which tho members would
bo required to deposit a certain sum
with tho pool on entering, The pro
ject leu tiirougn, nowever, and it is
hardly likely that such an attempt will
be made again.
While the ale trado is subject to tho
same excessive competition, it has not
outgrown itself eo greatly. Ale brew
crs had a severe setback some years ago
because of tho deterioration in the
quality of the brew, but thev realized
their mistake before it was altogether
too late, and have now mora than re
covered their lost ground. Ordinary
present use ale sells for $12 a hogshead.
equal to two barrels. Alo costs less to
make than lager, so this price is pro
portionately greater.
Some of the New York brewers havo
tried to introduce the English system
of controlling their interest in a saloon
by taking a mortgage on it. Every
week from twenty to forty chattel
mortgages to brewers are recorded on
saloon fixtures. The system has only
been partly successful on account of
the ease witli which a mortgage can bo
changed here.
The best-paying line of the brewing
business is in exporting and shipping,
of which the New York brewers con
trol a large share. Tn Cuba, Mexico,
the West Indies, and elsewhere, lager
beer is crowding out English ale. Un
til recently New York and western
brewers found a valuable market in the
south, but since tho invention of ice
machines new breweries have been built
in all the chief centers of tho southern
states, and outside brewers have been
forced to find other outlets for thoir
surplus stock.
The competition in other large cities
is just as keen as in New York, and tho
trade is in much tho same condition
everywhere. Fortunately brewing ma
terials are now very cheap, hops in
particular being 5 cents below tho cost
of production. Some brewers gototho
length of saying that the present strug
gle can only end in the "survival of tho
fittest," and tlio trado generally is dis
posed to await developments beforo
further increasing its facilities. At the
same time it in universally admitted that
the brewing trade of tlio United States
is still in its infancy, and that eventual
ly the biggest breweries and tlio best
beer will be found on this side of tho
Atlantic Neiv Vork Star.
Celestial Shovel-Makers.
"You may say," .-aid a leading Front,
street merchant to a reporter, "that tlio
American hardware trado is flourishing
liko a green buy tree. The value of
what is strictly known as hardware in
this country last year amounted to near
ly $00,000,000 of which nearly half was
made in Connecticut. If yon include
umall firearms, agricultural imple
ments, cut-nails, and ornamental iron
work, which I consider hardware,
though many do not, tlio total value of
the American production will reach
$100,000,000. English, French, and
German manufacturers send us about
$2,000,000 worth of hardware yearly.
Wo have, however, lost ono source of
revenue, and it makes a funny story.
Tho Chineso have got ahead of us. Up
to last year wo had a monopoly of sup
plying tho Chineso witli iron shovels.
Owing to our facilities for transporta
tion wo could undersell our English
brethren. Now the Chineso aro making
thoir own shovels and underselling us,
The manufacture is carried on at a place
called Cliefoo, near Shanghai, and hun
dreds of men and bos are engaged in
tho business. What do you think the
Chineso make tho shovels from? Old
boiler tubes aro cut into short cylinders
just tho length of the shovel, ripped
open, heated, flattened out, and ham
mered into shape. Tho shovels are
taken into the interior of the country
on the backs of mules, and our advices
state that nearly every Chinese cottager
within a radius of from two to three
hundred miles around Shanghai is sup
plied with one. The Chinese makers
sell their shovels at from 25 to -10 cents
each, according to size and quality.
However, tho supply of old boiler tubes
may becomo exhausted, and then we
Yankees will havo a clear corner on the
Celestial shovel-makers." New York
Hail and Express.
Tho Fireman's Story.
"Where havo you been?" asked the
foreman of a Western volunteer tiro do
partmcnt of a member who arrived soon
after the lire had been cxtinguUhod.
"Been (hie) workin'." "Been work,
ing? What kind of work havo you
been doing?" "Been (hio) to tho drug
(hie) storo t' get somo chemicals (hio)
for tho engine." New Vork Graphic '
HOT LAKE!
S'iltmti-il four iiiil-H wi f nt t'nion dpot
niifoiitliHiileoftlieO.lt, it N. Co. s railroad.
MM MLNEI1AL BATHS.
In Comfortable Rooniw.
Health for the Sick, and Rest for tho
"Weary.
Especially adapted for tho Reliof of Wo
men. Js under tlio supervision of ono who
lias had thirty years' experience.
S. P. NEWHARD, Proprietor.
fli:o. Wiiiomt,
President.
W. T. WiuniiT.
Cashier.
UNION.
OREGON.
uvjititu jimiiviug j)ukiiichm. jmya
and Hells exchange, and discounts com
mercial mi on-.
flnnu n. 1 t....t.- .. ...., . 1,
Collections carefully attended to, and
promptly reported.
COMMERCIAL
Vm anfl Feefl
Oi'i'osiTi: Ck.ntuxniai, Uotki
inirx- a ,., ,n ...,....,.
JOHN S. LLIOTT, - PROPRIETOR.
ItnvillL' fiirniHlipil tliia ,1,1 iiml i,, i, i.l.ii.
hostelry with ample room, plenty of feed,
good hostlers nnil 11PU lltlirrripM !u lint tin-
iMvnurert tltim
tomers. My terms aro reasonable.
Adah Ciiossmax, Piioi'iuntoit.
fins now on hand and for sale the best of
HARNESS, LAD1GO.
UPPER and
LACE LEATHER.
SHEEP SKINS, ETC.
IOBM'I,AIE IJKICi:.S
Paid for Hides and Pelts.
RAILROAD
FEED AND LIVERY STABLE
Near tlio Court House.
A. F. Bu.NSO.V, - . I'KOI'HlKTon.
Union, Oregon,
Pino turnouts and first-class rius for tho
accommodation of tho public generally.
Conveyances for commercial men a spe
cialty. 0"The accommodations for feed cannot
be excelled in the valley. Terms reasonable.
SMOKE OUR
PUSMGH"
6i
Rest Havana Filled
Five Cent Cigar. 5
Jones Rros., agents, Union.
E. GOLLINSKY & CO.
SMOKE THE
"ESTRELLA"
KEY WEST Imported Havana Cigar.
NONE HETTER.
Tonsoria! Rooms
Two doors south of Jones Bros.' store,
union, vregou,
I. M. JoilNMl.V,
PiiOI'HIUTOIl.
Hair cutting, shaving and shaiiiuorilm.
done neatly and in tho best stvle.
CITY -:- MEAT :
Main Street, Union, Oregon.
Bi:ns.on Biio.'s - I'iioimuktohs.
Keep constantly on hand
BEEF. PORK, VEAL. MUTTON, SAU
SAGE, HAMS, LARD, ETC.
Union, Oregon.
Dan. Cn.vxni.nu,
I'llOI'lllKTOK
Having recently purcliHsed this hotol
anil relit ted it throughout. I am prepared
to accommodate, tho hungry public in lirt
class style. Call and sue me. L.utou Sam
Pi.i: Rooms for tho accommodation of
com mercial t ra voters,
GSNTENiNIAL HOTEL BAR,
E. MILLER, Proprietor.
Having fitted up the Centennial Hotel
Bar-room, and removed my stock of
Wines, Liquors & Cigars
to that place, I nm better prepared than
f ver to entertain and regale my customers.
I keep none but the bast of
Ihikteni Liquor, ."Milwaukee, Vulla
Yl'allK.uiiil Union Htrr.
Also, the Finest Brands of Cigars.
HOWLANI) ft LLOYD
Manufacturers of
FURNITURE,
Main Street. Union, Ore.
Keep constantly on hand n large supply
oi Parlor nnd Hed Room sets. Bedding,
Desks, OHice Furniture, etc.
tJpliolMerln none In Hie Ifet Stylo
Lounges, Mattresses, and all kinds ot
Furniture made to order.
PATRONAGE SOLICITED.
I
Corner Main nnd C Streets, Union.
All kinds of photographic work done inn
superior manner, and according
to tho latest and most
npproved methods.
Views of residences tafcen on spli
catiOD. S-AU work warranted to givo satisfac
tion. J ONES BRO'S, Props.
MASON
&
HAMLIN
Unexcelled
I ... can save i rnm im io hiai on mo
X OH purchase of an Instrument l.y
otiyiiifr tlirouuh
V. t. WICHJirr, Agent, Union, Ogn,
Buy the Hay ward.
HAND GRENADE
Fire. Extinguisher.
Everybody should have them. Men,
women or children can use them. Thou
sands of dollar worth ot property saved
every day. They don't freeze, arc not in
jurious to llesh or fabric, and arc always
ready. You cannot afford to bo without
them.
G. .T. Becht, Gen. Agent, 3 2-1 Market St.,
San Francisco, Cal. Cook & Dwight, Agts.,
La Grande, Oregon.
JONES ORG'S,
Corner of Main and II streets, Union.
-Dealers in-
GROCERIES,
CANNED GOODS,
VARIETY AND FANCY GOODS,
TOBACCO
AND
C1GARP
fifcNTS' IMIItNlSIKlNG OOIS.
WATCHES,
CLOCKS,
and JEWELRY,
Glassware, Musical Instruments. Picture
Frames and Pictures, Moulding,
Bird Cngoj, Baby Car
riages, etc.,
Candies and Nuts,
Stationary, School Books, Periodicals,
Novols, etc., of ovcry description.
ALL KINDS OF FRESH FRUITS
Always on hand.
Wo keep constantly on hand everything
usually kept in u first clabu variety store
jauOrdcrs ham any part of the country
will be promptly ntteudod to.