The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-26
The Labor Convention.

The Labor Convention.
The convention which assembled at the
U. B. Hall in this city on the 10Th inst,
under a call for State convention OF
wage workers, issued by Stanton Assem-
bly, No. GIL, X. of H., was not so largely
attended as was expected; but those who
did attend, made fine looking, intelligent,
practical, jealous body of men, who knew
how to talk and what to say.
The convention was called to order at
II m. by Mr.. w. j. McCalley, OF Staunton,
chairman of the committee which issued
| the call. who stated the objects OF the
meeting.
Col l.. C. Leftwich, of Lynchburg, was
elected temporary chairman, and made a
speech accepting the honor, saying he was
proud of being called by his fellow work.
men to preside over this the first labor
convention ever held in Virginia.
Mr.. l.. A. Tucker, Of Richmond, was
elected temporary secretary, and the fol
| lowing Committee on Credentials was ap
pointed: G. W. Tyler, of Richmond, Chair
man; ]. W. Hill, of Manchester, G. G..
Miller, of Rockbridge; ID. p. Bowen, of
Stanton; G. 4. Hoover, of Winchester,
G. E. Conway, of Henrico county, and E.
2. Cease, of Bridgewater. The conven-
| ton then took recess until 2 o'clock.
The Committee on CREDENTIALS reported
the following as entitled to seats in the
| convention: c. w. Tyler, w. FL. Mullen,
Jno. S. Bethel, of District 81, X. of L.; R.
Thompson, j. w. Hill, of District so; l..
A. Tucker. of Local 349S; c. G. Miller,
W. r. Beeton, of Local 1880; l.. G. Left
WITCH. of Local 4257; Jno T. Chaprell, of
$3.50; II. Calder, of Local 1913; w. A.
Slater, J. M, Dutroe. of Local 10S9l Geo.
| E. Conway of Local 4099; S. b. Downing,
VIM. Drummond. of Local 10lSl; Geo. Il.
Baker, of Local 500s; H. E. Steward, of
Local 4l6l; g. E. Hoover, of Local $500;
r. P. Johnson, of Local 2l5; Geo. E. Bow
den. of Typographical Union No. 90;
Thos. Johnson, of Granite Cutters Union
Geo. Duncan, J. B. IIorner. of Working
| mems Club. The report was adopted.
all laboring men be entitled to seats in the
convention. whether bringing credentials
| from organized bodies or not. This was
his understanding of the original call, and
he thought that the convention ought to
be open to every laborng man.
Mr.. Mullen, of Richmond, opposed the
motion, and said ii that rule should De
adopted. any tramp who called himself a
workingman, and who had been possibly
kicked out of some labor organization,
could come in. His assembly had not
thought this was to be free Lime Kiln
Club sort of business. If it had, it would
hot have sent delegates.
Mr.. Johnson, of the Granite Cutters
Union, also opposed the measure, and said
his Union would be greatly disappointed
ifsuch action were taken.
Mr.. McCalley. of Staunton. said that
his assembly had, of course, expected to
be represented when it issued the call, and
for the reason that large majority of the
laboring men of the State outside of the
cities were entirely unorganized, that call
had been made to all wage workers He
did not think it wise to divide the strength
of the laboring people, by ruling out any
honest working men.
Mr.. Mullen replied that the Richmond
delegation would not participate in an
irresponsible assembly without authority
of any kind. The case of the Staunton
organization could be settled in two min
j utes by admitting their delegates. Such
| representatives of unorganized labor az
the convention thought proper could also
be admitted.
Mr.. Bowden's motion was laid on the
table, and the committee of Staunton AS
sembly, which issued the call, we're admit
ted as delegates. Messrs. E. P. Cease of
Bridgewater, Sam M. Woods of Augusta
county, and *. Cornell of Port Republic,
were also admitted. though not members
of organized bodies.
Messrs. Bethel, McCalley, Duncan and
manent organization. and recommended
for chairman, c. W. Tyler: Vice Chair
man, R. Thompson and G. 2. Hoover;
Secretary, Sam M. Woods; Assistant
Secretary, w. r. Beeton; Sergeant-at-
Arms, B. NJ. Smith. The report was
adopted.
The convention was now organized, and
ready for the work before it, and we'll did
it perform its duties. A resolution was
offered and carried that all State and mu-
nicipal work ought to be done by day labor,
under the supervision of government Off
GERS, who are men Of experience in such
work as is committed to their control.
Hon. Edmund Waddill's Labor Bureau
bill now before the Legislature, was read
and discussed in connection with Senator
| Ellyson's bill On the same subject. The
discussion ended in the adoption of a res
olution requesting the Legislature to en-
act law creating Labor Bureau, with
practical mechanic at its head.
A resolution was carried. asking the
Legislature to amend the mechanics lien
law, so as to mora thoroughly secure the
payment of the wages of workmen.
A committee was appointed to report a
child's labor bill. A resolution declaring
1
that all convict labor should be abolished,
and conyicts put in solitary confinement,
was referred to special committee. Also
resolution asking for law requiring the
products of convict labor to be plainly
marked convict goods referred to same
committee.
| A resolution was adopted, providing for
an annual convention of the labor organiza-
tions of the State. A resolution endors-
| ing protective tariff, was offered, but the
hour for adjournment having arrived, ac-
tion was postponed until morning. Ad-
| journed to meet at 10 a. N. next day.
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Convention called to order promptly at
| 10 a. M, Chairman Tyler in the chair, Mr..
labor, Chappell,o of the committee on child IS
| reported resolution asking the Legisla.
ture to pass law prohibiting the employ
| ment of children under ten years old, en-
tirely, and under fourteen for more than
five hours per day in any mill, shop, fac
tory, or other place where any productive
enterprise is conducted for profit. After