St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-26
LABORlNG MEN SUSPICIOUS.
They are Trying to Find out by What
Authority the Labor Conyen-
tiOn ia to no aaId
ton is to be Held.


CHICAGO, July 24.-Thc so called labor
convention to be held in Chicago. July 80, ia
looked upon with suspicion and distrust by
the labor organizations in this city. They
have refused to indorse it, and acting by
their desire of the principal associations NJ.
L. Crawford, organizer aud president of the
amalgamated trades assemblies, has made
inquiries which confirm certain doubts con-
corning the genuineness of the proposed
convention as a representative labor gather
ing. P. H. McLogan is president of the
congress of the confederated trades. This
organization meets annually and its next
meeting will be held in Chicago, Oct Z. 1t
comprises national and international unions
and is in effect the supreme council of all
the trades assemblies.
''This meeting" said Mr.. McLogan to-day,
'is the only one which is authorized by the
labor unions. The convention of July 80 is
without any endorsement from us at all, and
we have reason to believe that it represents
no regular organizations in the United
States. Inquiries have been made to ascer-
tain, if possible, what it is, and who is con-
Quoting it. We can find no person in Chi
cago who knows anything about it. W. A.
Carsey is a man who came in here from New
York few days ago, and claimed to have an
interest in it. Who he is, however, we do
not know"
'What do you suspect is its character and
object?''
II don't say this officially, but by my own
opinion l think it is gotten up for political
purpose, and that the labor men are to be
used as cats-paws. At first we thought that
Gov. Butler might be back of it. visit was
made to Mr.. Buffers agent here, B. F.
Shields at the Briggs House, but he dis
claimed any knowledge of it. We are there
fore led to believe that small party of men
coming from no one knows where, and rep
resenting no one knows what, will assemble
here and declare for something or somebody,
in the name of the labor interests of the
United States. Being irresponsible persons
they may voice sentiments of which we do
not APPROVE, but which will be attributed to
us. If slso the convention is a failure there
are people and newspapers who will point to
it as representative labor fizzle."
''Have you no idea what specific action the
gathering will take?"
81 think it is very probable that it is not q.
Butler movement, it is gotten up in the in
terest of protection. The moral effect of /
national labor convention declaring for pro-
lection, would give for the Republicans some
votes no doubt. As matter of fact the labor
organizations throughout the country are di4
vided on this subject of tariff. We are not
anxious to NEEDLE with it. -
What course has the congress of the con,
federated trades adopted in the matter Of
politics?n
ut has done nothing except to appoint
committee to wait on the platform commits
sioners of the two political conventions and
ask the drafting of q labor plank. The Re-
publicans heard US and embodied in their
platform part OF what we requested, and the
Democrats also heard us and the labor ques-
ton generally. Our labor organizations are
very much opposed to both nominees, and
the congress of October may or may not
take political action.''
M. L. Crawford, having failed to discover
that the convention of July 30 was q repre-
sentative labor gathering, had about made
up his mind to denounce it when he was
persuaded to await developments.
B. f. Shirley left Chicago for New York
to-day. 1t is said he goes to find out if pos
sible something about the meeting which is
causing the labor unions so much uneasi-
ness. There is a feeling that he knows more
about it than he will admit, and it having
been pretty well understood that Butler will
make an independent run many look upon
the coming convention as q movement in
tended to revive Ben's boom, which is at
present tagging for want Of sustenauce.