The Evening Argus

Mechanics and Laborers Should Vote for the New Constitution.

In the legislative article of the new constitution, there is a provision or section which should secure to that instrument the warm hearted support of every mechanic and laboring man in the state. There are several other provisions in the new constitution designed to protect the rights and promote the interests of the working men of the state, but at present we desire to call their particular attention to this one. It is as follows:

Sec. 40. The general assembly shall, at the first session thereof, after the adoption of this constitution, and in time to time, as occasion may require, pass laws for the securing liens to mechanics and other operatives for work and labor performed and materials furnished.

There are thousands of honest, hard working mechanics and laborers in this state who are deeply interested in having the new constitution sustained with this important and truly valuable provision in it. Many of these mechanics and laboring men are republicans, and some of the republican newspapers, for purely partisan purposes, are trying to create a prejudice in their minds against the new constitution. But these republican mechanics and laborers should remember that it is not with a view to promote their interests and protect their rights, that party leaders would deceive them into opposition to the new constitution, but with a view to promote the political prospects of party leaders. We beg leave to suggest to republican mechanics and laborers that it is far more important to them that their labor should be protected and their rights secured, than it is that any political party or partisan office-seeker should triumph at their expense. Political parties are all well enough in their way and in their place, but no political party should be sustained at the expense of the rights and interests of labor. If they do their duty to themselves and their children, the mechanics and laborers of Illinois will disregard all mere partisan traps and appeals, and vote for the new constitution.—Quincy Herald.