Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-23
THE UNREST OF LABOR.
The Coming Trades Convention In Colum-
bus.

PHILADELPHIA, November 22.-The
ca II recently issued for a convention of
trades union representatives, to meet in
Columbus, on December Sth, has devel-
oped the fact that labor organizations
are not united as to the best means of OBJ
tanning the objects they desire. The
tion of workingmen that this country has
ever seen. Their membership is probably
over 500, 900. composed Of skilled and I'M
skilled labDrers, male and female, of all
branches of manufacture and of agricul-
ture. Du.ing the past year the member
ship has doubled. This great acquisition
at numbrS, the majority Of whom had
never been members of any trade or labor
union, has given the organization great
prominence. 1t is doubtful whether the
great increase in numbers has brought 4
a corresponding increase in strength, but
it has given the leaders confidence to over
step the general objects for which the or
ganiZation was started, and attempt to con-
troll and mobilize the different trades of
the country.
The object of the founders of the organ
izatiOn was to make it an educator and aid
to trades unions by bringing into one body
representatives Of every trade, (or mixed
assemblies, who should aid each organiza-
ton rs assistance became necessary. With
out trades unions the Knights of Labor
would never have existed. The present
numerical strength il due to the co-opera-
ton OF the unions which have also been
gamers by the movement. But there has
not been entire harmony. Overzealous
officers of the Knights of Labor caused
trouble by organizing assemblies and
taking men into them who had been eX
PEELED by trade organizations and other
rncrOachments were made on the domain
of the distinct trades unions. In May,
1885. the representatives of about BOO, 600
trades unionists, all skilled wOrkmen, met
in this city and adopted measures for pro-
lection, which were presented to the Con-
vcntion of Knights of Labor in Cleveland
during the same month.
The proposition recited the differences
existing, and suggested plan for the pre-
VentiOn of their recurrence. The offer of
the trades unions was manifcstly fair and
honorable, placing no restrictions rs To
membership in either organization, but
asking that no charter should be issued to
Knights of Labor for any trade where a
trade organization of the same character
existed; that no expelled member of
trade organization should be admitted to
membership in the Knights without the
consent of the asSOciotiOn of which he was
formerly a member and that the subject
of trades labels he left to the various
unions. The Cleveland Convention dis
cusSed the matter and referred to the Gen
cral Convention which met recently in
Richmond. There the trades uniOnists re-
ceived little recognition, and, in place of
adopting the terms of the proposed treaty,
toward the close of the session resolution
was adopted ordering all Knights who
were also members of the International
Cigarmakers' Union to leave that body or
surrender their membership rs Knights.
This is regarded by some as the commence
ment of fight against trades unions, and
is probably the main cause for the calling
of the coming Convention in Columbus.
always been prominent plank i'll trades
union platforms, members claiming that
it is the only means of furnishing en-
plOyment for the thousands Of idle work
men. In furthcrancc Of this movement
the Federation of Trades, composed of
representatives from number of national
tradeS-uniOns. at it's session in Washington
in 1895, fixed upon the lst Of May, 1886,
for the Inauguration Of the eight-hour
movement 1t is claimed that this move
mcnt received no aid from the Knights rs
a body, and that the influence OF its gen
eral officers was against the measure.
A national organization established on
the plan and for the purpose mentioned
in the call should, if properly conducted,
result to the good of all concerned. It's
power and numerical strength would be
| such rs to secure an understanding with
| the knights of Labor and prevent any
thing like a conflict between the two Or
gauizatiOns There is unity of interest
that would be best protected by proper
respect for the rights Of each.