Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-23
THE NATIONAL LABOR CONVENTION.
THIRD DAY.

THE NATIONAL LABOR CONVENTION.
THIRD DAY.
The National Labor Con yention resumed its
deliberations in Baltimore yesterday.
The committee on the eight hour system and
kindred subjects reported as fellows:
Whereas there comes from the ranks Of labor
demand for more time for moral, Intellectual.
ana social culture, and belle wing that this de-
mand 10 the result of that condition OF progress
In which the worklngmen of this nation are
prepared to take step higher in the scale of
neral and intellectual life: Therefore,
Resolred, That II Be enjoined upon the MEM
oers OF this Congress as they reach heir re-
specpve homes to use all honorable means TO
agfate the eight hour question publicly and
privately, and to effect some plan of oresniza-
strength of the workingmen of the nation 70
effect this great labor reform.
After some discussion the report was recon-
m,,ted, by vote OF % to %. The Congress then
adjourned until two p. m.
During the afternoon session the report of
the committee on Trades Unions and Strikes
was submitted by X. @. Cameron. Of Illinois,
Recognizing as q fundamental truth that sin
union there Is strength" and believing, also,
all reforms in the labor movement can only be
effected by the intelligent and systematized
effort Of the Industrial classes; believing, also.
that enort can az present best be directed
through the channel OF trades organizations,
recommend that local unions be establ. shed in
every city where none exist, and international
unions in every branch OF industry, as the first
and most important duty OF the hour. ana
either to himself, his family or his fellow
workmen, who has heretofore neglected or re-
fused TO do So Believing also, that the efforts
OF this Convention should be directed to de-
wise the most available and practicable means
by which united action may be obtained, and
knowing that a large number OF our skilled
mechanics are excluded from these organiza.
tons py past delinquencies, which il would be
Judicious TO overlook, would recommend that
an invitation be extended to all such to re.
enroll themselves in the grand army of labor
and that all local unions be earnestly reouested
to extend the SOLVE branch Of peace, and re-
ceiye such applicants in q spirit OF concihation
and fraternal feeling and that the LIST Of Janu-
ary, 1867, be named as the time when such op.
portunity shall expire by limitation. Your
committee would also suggest that q more
rigld enforcement OF the apprenticeship system
should be observed, believing that such action
would rebound to our own interests, as our
trades unions are, or should be, organized on
the principle OF rendering a quid PRO quo, an
equivalent for value received, and SO long as
'botches" are recognized as competent werk-
men this principle is virtually ignored
They would also suggest that as there are a
trades unions, and it il desirable TO bring
all within the ranks OF the labor movement.
that general Workingmen's Association be
recognized a. belonging to the general organi-
ton, and its delegates entitled TO seats in anv
future Labor Congress.
Your committee would also recommend the
ums and reading nosms wherever practicable
and that said Institutes be erected on ground
owned by the General Labor Association.
coym1,,g Win regard 70 the subject Of strikes your
that as rule they are productive Of great in
jury to the laboring classes; that MANY have
been inJudicious and Ill -ad vised, and the re-
suit OF impulse rather than principle: that
those who have been the fiercest in their adyo-
cacy have been the first to advocate submis
,ts'. ,ion; and would therefore. discountenance
means for an amIcable adjustment have been
exhausted Your committee would also rec.
ommend the appointment by each Trades As
shall be referred all matters Of dispute arising
between the employer and employees beiiey
ing the earlier adoption of such a system would
nave Preventeda majority OF those ill-advIsed
In conclusion, your committee would again
refer TO the all-important question Of organi-
zation, as panacea for this growing evil be-
cause when every mechanic is enrolled a mann.
per OF trades union, strikes would become
impossibilities. Nor can this be taken as a me-
mace 10 employers, knowing. as we do, that the
fensive In its character, founded on the prIn-
ciples OF eternal truth and Justice On the
contrary, tney believe 1t would be the means
OF creating bond of sympathy between en-
ployer and employee, and inauguratine A
reign of confidence and mutual esteem IN
place OF the antagonism and jealousy at pres
ent existing
ArePort on cooperative associations and per
sonal labor was submitted and adopted.
The committee on convict labor made the
following report:
"The question of con nvlct labor has been con.
sldered at some length, and the Committee are
OF the opinion that, IL convict labor cannot be
entirely abolished, the same compensation
should be demanded Of the United States and
the respective States OF all contractors securing
convict labor at that price paid in the work
shops outside OF the prison, and your commit
tee would recommend that the workingmen
petition to Congress and their respective LIE.
gisiatures for action on the subject"
Mr. SchleRer, from the committee on perma-
nent organization, presented the revised final
report, as follows:
ResOlred, That this Congress organize a per-
manent National Labor Union, by selecting
the following. named officers "A president az
large and one vice president at large, and one
vice president in each State, Territory and
District represented in this Congress, the same
vice presidents to act as corresponding secre.
taries Tor the labor organizations in his re-
specuve State, one recording secretary, and
one assistant, one corresponding secretary and
one assistant, treasurer, and a finance COM
miftee Of three. The president shall be au-
thoriZed to appoint vice president from the
States that are not represented in this Congress
as soon as ne may hnd some proper person 50
Resolred, That every trades union, working.
mems union and eight hour league in this Con.
less, and every additional five hundred or
fraction, or part thereof, one additional dele
gate. and every national or International union,
snail oc represented Oy one oeiegate. 1T shall
be the duty Of the said officers Of this organi-
Zauon TO carry out the acts OF the present La
Dor Congress. TO direct agitation and to further
the interests OF the labor movement by all pos
slble means. The sessions Of the Labor Con
gress shall be annual, and be held alternately
In the different sections Of the Union, on the
third Monday In August. The President Re.
cording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary,
Vice President at large and Treasurer, shall
meet from time to time for the transaction of |
business. The Executive Board shall have
power TO levy tax of 25 cents q year upon
each member belonging TO the Nation Labor |
Union.
Mr.. Cameron, from the committee on the
eight heur system. here presented the follow.
ing as their amended report: |
Whereas, There comes from the ranks of Ia
Dor a demand for more time for moral INTEL
lectual and social culture, and believing that |
this demand is the result of that condition of |
progress in which the workinemen Of this ma |
fion are prepared to take step higher in the /
scale OF moral and intellectual life
Whereas, The history aud legislation Of the /
past has demonstrated the fact that no depen- /
dence whatever can be placed in the pledges /
or professions OF the represen tatves of existing
political parties, 30 far the interests OF the /
industrial classes are concerned; therefore, |
be il
Resolred, That the time has come when the |