Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-05-22
SECRET AND IMPORTANT,
A Delegate Labor Convention
Held Last Night,
At K. Of |. Hall---AbOut Fifty Leading
Men Observation-Disclosures for the
Legislature Put in the Field.

Probably the most important event
in labor and political circles for
|, long time back was the Political Labor
Convention held in X. OF L. Hall, Becks
Block, last evening. The convention has
been on the tapis for some time. the pre-
Hmlparies incident to it being conducted
with the utmost secrecy, but, like good
many other things, an inkIRg of what was
going on reached the ears of the reporters,
and the progress OF events was heneeforth
watched with q good deal Of interest.
The plan agreed upon was to have each
of the fourteen or fifteen labor organiza-
lions represented the Ohio Valley Trades
and Labor Assembly represented BY four
delegates, and when these had been chosen
the date of the Convention was set down
for May 2lst-last night.
The delegates began to arrive at the Sc
lscted place of meeting about hslf-psst
seven o clock, and shortly after eight the
meeting was called to order and NJ. j
Finley, President of the Glass Workers
Union, selected as Chairman. W. s. Mech
was chosen Secretary, and then the Con
yention got down to business. Those
present embraced almost every one OF the
many prominent citizens identified with
the various labor organizations, and the re
suit was very intelligent and Influential
gathering. :,
The President stated that the OBJ
ieet of the meeting was the naming
of candidates for the House o
Delegates who would represent the work
ingmeu OF the city and county, and at tn
same time commend themselves to thos'
citizens outside the pale Of the labor or
CARNATIONS as persons 10 whose hands tn
interests of the county could be trusted. L
was proposed to divide the candidates thu
selected equally between the two great par
ties, with the expectation and hope tina
the gentlemen nominated would be eG
dorsed By the political conventions which
would be held later on.
Aiters number of those present had made
remarks pertinent to the occasion nomins
tons were called for aud the call literally
responded to. Several gentlemen named
declined to become candidates. When al
the nominations desired had been made
the convention proceeded to ballot, result
ipg in the choice of the following gentle
men:
Democrats-John Howard and Hon
Edward Robertson.
Republicans-W. s. Meek and Pete
MUM.
The selections made, it was proposed B.
q delegate, and adopted By the Convention
that nothing whatever bs said by those pres
ent, as TO what had taken place. Thi
matter disposed OF, the Convention turne
its attention to the general conduct of tn
campaign. and discussion arose, whlc
was continued until after halfpsst ten
when q motion to adjourn prevailed.
The whole matter, from its inception I
its completion, was kept as secret IS tn
tomb, and it was with the utmost difficult
the information here given was obtained
The gentlemen thus brought prom
nently before the people are all wei
known. Hon. Edward Robinson repre-
sented this county in the last Legislature
and ia known as an earnest, and intell
gent worker 10 the cause Of labor. de
printer By trade, q native Gf the city, an
widely and fsyorsbly known.
John Howard, his companion on tn
Democratic side of the house, is also q ma
i've Of the city, glsssEorker by trade, an
a gentleman whose reputation as an adj
labor leader and shrsad politician extend
we'll over the State. He has ioEG eeel
prominent in the organization to which b
belongs, serving as delegate to the Nation
al convention on at least one occasion
When Governor Wilson's administrator
came in he was appointed to position il
the Office OF the Secretary OF State, Whicl
ne still holds.
OF the Republicans, VS. Meek is knows
far and wide as q genial, cultivated gentle
man, an old soldier, a leading spirit in 6
A. r. circles, prominent in labor matters
generally, and an influential man in al
matters relating to Typographical UniOI
No 70, of which he is a member. Mr.
Meek acted as president of the labor meet
ing st the City Hall two weeks ago.
Peter MUM, Of the cigar manufacturing
firm of MUM L Brsndisss, is, like thu
others selected, too well known to need ex
tended mention. Long in business in thil
city, he has taken prominent part in lsbol
matters as well, and is known throughout
the ceGuty for his many comuendsbl'
qualities.