Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-12-18
Trades Union Meetings.

COLUMBUS, o., Dec. 9.-The early trains
yesterday brought TO the city q large number
of prominent members OF trades organizations
In the east and west VINO will participate In
the congress of federated trades that opened
here in the afternoon. This congress is the
outcome of "A call which was issued about a
month ago by p. j. Mcclure, OF the Brother
hood of Carpenters, President Weihe, OF the
A~malgamated association, 7. f.. Fitzpatrick,
of the Iron Moulders' union, A.. Strasser, OF
the Cigar Makers union, and Chris. Evans, OF
the Miners association. A few days ago,
however, the Amalgamated association with
drew from the affair, on the ground that for
secret reasons It was not thought best that
the association should go into the federation,
at least for the present. The specific objects
for which the congress is to be established are
as follows;
The formation OF Trades Unions and the
encouragement Of Trades Union movement
in this country and Canada.
The organization of Trades Assemblies,
Trades Councils or Central Labor Unions In
every city in America, and the further eneour-
agemcnt OF such bodies.
The founding of State Trades Assemblies
or State Labor Congresses TO influence State
legislation In the interest Of the working
masses.
The establishment of National and Inter
national Trades Unions, based upon the
strict recognition of the autonomy of each
trade, and the promotion and advancement
of such bodies.
An'American federation or alliance OF all
National or international Trades unions, to
tional legislation in the interest Of the work
ingman and influence public opinion by
peaceful and legal methods in favor Of organ
lied labor.
Finally, to aid and encourage the labor
press OF America and TO disseminate tracts
and literature of the labor movement.
The delegat who are on the ground deny
that the congress has been called TO cement
the opposition to the Knights of Labor, al
though the present gathering was decided
upon at the anti Knights conference held in
Philadelphia last May. They say that they
have no quarrel with the Knights, but they
oppose making the latter the sole labor organ
iZation.
All OF the delegates have been instructed 10
insist upon the autonomy Of each branch Of
industry to restore to the unions the legiti-
mate objects of their organization, and to pre-
vent the efforts Of demagogues to use them
for advancing mere party ends.
One Of the most important questions which
will claim the attention Of the gathering Is
the eight-hour day. The Chicago Trades as
sembly has specially instructed It's delegate,
Edward Mulvaney, TO open up the fight on
this matter. He has In consequence prepared
a plan which is expected to give rise to an ami
mated debate, and the consideration Of which
Is certain to consume considerable time. 1t
is in brief that all trades having national or
CARNATIONS shall adopt the eight hour day in
their particular trade in all parts Of the
country at the same time. The
trades cal either act in CON
cert or one after another as they RAY see
fit, the main point being that when eight
hours is demanded in one city II shall Also be
demanded at all competing points. The CO.
operation of the Knights OF Labor, not az a
whole, but In the distinct trades organized as
such is requested. Tie second and most i'm
portant feature Of the plan provides that no
more than eight hours pay shall be demanded
for eight hours work, the question Of an adj
vance being allowed TO settle itself by supply
and demand. This is the basis upon which
the brlcklayers gaiEed the eight hour day in
Chicago, and a mass of documents and facts
having relation ID the eight hour movement
in different parts of the country during the
past few years VIII be submitted to the con.
v%ention In support of the proposition that
the plan proposed is the orly honest and feas-
IDLE one.