Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-09
TRADES UNION CONVENTION.


Organized Labor,
COLUMBUS, OHIO, Dec. 9-The sixth an
nual session OF the Federation of Organized
Trades and Labor unions convened Tuesia
Samuel Gompers, Of New York, presiding
Grafton PIERCE, of Columbus, welcomed the
delegates in ali address which commanded
considerable attention, He referred to the
antasonisrn between tho Knights of Labor
aud the trades unions as a matter of regret
Regarding the tendency to mix III politics he
said:
But once promulgate a political platform
and all harmony becomes discord, all union
becomes disrmion The two can not exist
together Mechanics are like all free, inteIli-
gent thinking citizens; they think for them
selves and vote as they think. What kind
Of u political platform would it be on which
Henry George and T. V Powderly could
stand Iogether-the one radical free trader
and Ne ether radical protectionisti AnG
what sort of a political platform would it be
that omitted all mention of the tariff ques-
ton: So it would be as to other questions
equally important. Is it desirable to drive
from our ranks lifelong trade unionists that
some men may amuSe themselves chasing Il
political ignis fatuus. And what is to be ac-
complshed by separate political action that
can not more certainly be accomplished with
ont it. rs compared with the aggregate
number of voters organized labor is in
hopeless minority, and as soon as political
test shall lie applied the present minority will
become Stiil smaller
The election of officers for the ensuing year
resulted: President, J. W Smith, of Spring
fell, Ills; wee president, Julian l.. Wright,
of Washington, d. C.; secretary, John
kirschner, OF New York; auditors, c. +.
0yler Of Baltimore, and H. b Kraft, OF
Philadelphia.
\ resolution was Adopted asking congress
to amend the indenture law and provide that
apprentices be subject to masters only in
working hours, also Il resolution for an eight,
hour law.
y committee of conference was appointed
10 meet with the convention Of trades union
delegates Wednesday. which promises to be
one OF the most important labor gatherings
held iii this country for years.
As indicated ia the speeches of Tuesday. and
the report Of the legislative committee, the
action Of the convention promises to be
highly hostile To the Knights of Labor. 4
new organization VIII be made and the fedar-
alton will be merged into the new body.
Prophecies were made Tuesday night that
the condemnation ami opposition of this new
body woud in two years crush the Knights
OF Labor. In regard to the differences be
tween knights OF Labor AMI trades unions
which aroSe over the admiSsi TO member
ship Of persons expelled from trade, unions,
Master Workman Powd=rly sent the follow
ing telegram:
| have selected q committee of five, con
SisLIng OF hrsSrs. liawes, Hall McFcl, Ar
rinstul, ami Grant, to discuss past grievances
between trades unions and Knights OF Labor
AMI pave the way for their aytilIucc III tn
future
Chairman GonIpers. of the legislative com
,nitter. reported to the satisfaction of the
federation that congress hal passed. a law
recognizing the legality Of trades unions
orEan.zlti us. The report refers to theeight-
hour movement with congratulation, lament.
ing, however, that ma III cool in this dirsc
ton ha~ ha"a pr vented by the Interference OF
Knight Of ltbor. Tn agitation has. how
ever, reAu"ei the working time for over 2oJ,
009 wprkfuen, Other recommend OF
tis report az in accordance with previous
demand, Of the order for holl lays ani "a
more strict enforcement OF TIL anti Chimes,
Immigration act