The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-12-10
NATIONAL COLORED LABOR CON.
VENTION.

WASHINGTON, Dec, Z.
The Colored Labor Convention was
closely packed ct each OF lis three
Beaslons to-day. IA
List evening, after my report closed,
Prof. Lsngst0n objected TO the recep-
tlon OF tho credentials Of Charles Nc.
Cain, delegate from the Massachusetts
Labor Party Committee. lie made q
sharp attack on that party and ltB rep.
resentRtlVes, and declared that II was
run on SprRgue's money, and TO break
up the Republican party. The ground
was taken that the colored man must
act for himself, and affiliate only with
those who accord social as well Us
other rights. The colored people wore
strong enough 10 dictate their own
terms. The speech caused q good deal
Of feeling and confusion.
The Massachusetts delegates were
accepted, but complained OF not being
allowed a fair opportunity Of replying,
Mr.. 8. p. Cummings did succeed In
Speaking, and reminded the Conyen'
ton that its call did not specify .polltl-
cal associations as qualification for del
egateahip, but invited all who sympa.
thlzed with the Efforts Of labor 10 I'm.
prove It's position. He declared him.
self IN old school Aboiitlonlst from
boyhood, and reminded his critics that
In carrying o musket to make the slave
u free man, he had done what the Pro.
lessor did not see fit 10 do.
The morning and afternoon sessions
were consumed In discussing non>es
sentials, debating points Of order, and
having the platform committed, The
general recommendation looked to
educational efforts, protective assOcla-
lions, and cooperative organizations,
1t was recommilted. The evening was
devoted 10 speeches.
Charles Mccain, Of Massachusetts,
briefly alluded TO tho remarks made on
his credentials the evening before, and
then proceeded 10 q vigorous onslaught
on what was termed the chartered mo-
nopolies-banks, railroads, and corpo-
ratlons OF all claSses-whlch,t the speak
Or declared, had control OF the leglAla.
tlOn OF the States and the Union, and
are undermining the Republican struc.
turp.
William Graft. the weIl-known COL
0Ied lnnn, who has Just returned from
England, spoke briefly and was loudly
welcomed,
Senator Henry Wilson, who on en-,
terlng WAS greeted with applause, was
introduced, and received with loud
cheering. He gave expression TO his
hearty sympathy With this and all other
movements for the am0llorAtIon OF the
laborer's condition. In connection with
the progress which he declared had
been made, the Senator gave graphic
sketch OF his own career AZ laborlnH
shoemaker, when he began working,
receiving as IL jOurneyman only SO a
week. Mr.. Wilson declared that the
transportation and other monopolIes
were obtaining power dangerous to
our Institutions. He declared that he
was In favor OF asserting the freedom Of
the scientific hlghway-the railroad.
He sp0Ee against the land>grant sys-
TEN, though still willing, under restrIc.
tlOn, 10 aid the construction Of rail-.
roads, In order to develope the country.
He spoke ut length on the Homestead
system, aud declared his conviction
that the Republican party would be
found In the future, as in the past, the
champion OF the rights oflabor.
Mr.. ]. Q, Ware Of Philadelphia, aud
Mr.. RApler Of Alabama, followed Mr..
Wilson. ..I
The Rev. J. Sella Martin took occa.
sion 10 Anlmadvert on Prof. nangston's
action the previous evening, declaring
that In denounolng white delegates be-
cause OF color, or from political differ
enoes, he had exceeded his own priYI.
leges as delegate. This criticism
caused great excitement, which at one
tune threatened 10 create disorder. DR..
Purvis defended Mr.. Langston. After
q short time consumed In recrlmina-
ton by an adroit movement OF the
President, the Convention adjourned,