Evening journal., 1888-09-19
Labor Files a Protest.
Strong Resolutions Passed by
the New York Conference.
CONSPIRACY LAWS DENOUNCED.
xho Resolutions Say They Disgrace tho
Peaal Code OF the statc-More TSran-
nical Than English Iaws-Little Faith
tn Politicians Of Either Party.

nical Than English laws-Little faith |
in Politicians Of Either Party.
Troy. n. Y, Sept 1a-The Labor conven-
tion has adjourned b. meet again az the call
of the executive committee, which Il com
posed OF a representative from each congres-
sionnl district in the state Although Il has
had many difficulties % contend against the
convention has accomplished the business for
which Il was called 70 the satisfaction Of
those present
Vice President Philip Kelly called the CON
ference to order at 0 o'clock, and Chairman
John Morrison al once began 70 read the re-
port Of the committee ON resolutions. This
was the most important feature Of tho con
ferance The prvamhle was a bitter indict-
ment Of the law making power and the judi
ciary. Il reads thus;
"We, the representatives Of organized labor
Of New York, delegated by our follow wage
workers 20 bring about by every constitu-
tionnl means the repeal of the Infamous con
spiracy laws which disgrace the penal code OF
our state declare thai under these laws our
brothers have been outrageously oppressed by
fine ard imprisonmet, in a manner only suited
70 ftudRl times The laws which are to be
found in the penal code OF 1884 have
practically placed tho working men,
women and children Of New York state
under conditions which are more compatible
With the tyrannical governments Of Ireland,
Germany and Russia than Of the United
States, which claims that life, liberty aud the
pursuit of happiness are the rights Of all The
Judiciary Of this state have supplemented the
work Of the legislature by their partisan de-
ciions, favoring the monopollatie classes who
nos hold the producers Of all wealth to wage
slavery.
I'VE declare that section l6s Of the penal
coda, as ezpounded by Judge Barrett in the
case OF hart Va Gin, and confirmed by the
court Of appeals, has produced a state of
affairs which Is unjust and intolerahle. The
eourts thereby declare it a crimo for wage
workers 20 organize for the purpose Of short
ening the hours Of labor or regulating the
employment Of apprentices, or otherwise i'm
proving their condition.
I'VE declare despOtic the inferenoes drawn
from the Hart case, that wage earners ought
70 be compelled, on any pretence, 10 continue
working under conditions which have become
unsatisfactory 10 them, and we hold Il 70 he
common sense that anything which can be
done by an individual without criminality
cannot become criminal because agreed upon
by two or more persons Even monarchlcal
England has by modifying the combination
laws granted concessions In favor Of aborers
while this state has increased the legal bur
dens Of the working masses
I'VE declare that the fact that under our
| popular form Of g0vernment such grisvous
laws against the industrial classes In the In
terest OF the privileged Glasses remain in
force demonstrates that the Republican and
Democratic political machines, while pro
fessing friendship for labor, are falae and
hypocTitical chaTlatans, devoid Of truth, jus
tice or stateemanship."
After citing many instances Of the oonvio-
tions under the laws IN this state tho COM
mittee recommended the appointment Of a
central committee Of one from each congres-
sional district 70 inaugurate a systematic agi-
tation ON the subject, and il was declared
that il the legislature did not change the laws
by January, 1889, the conference would call
upon the labor organizations throughout the
state 10 take action that would insure their
repeal
Il was demanded that the legislature should
strike out the word "intimidntionr from go
ton 16s Of the penal code, which makes II
conspiracy II two or more men combine 10
prevent another from exercising lawful
trade or calling, or doing any lawful act, by
force, threats, intimidation, or by interfering
or threatening 70 interfere with tools, imple-
ments or property belonging 70 or used by
another, or with the use or employment
thereof
The report demanded the amendment OF
section 100 Of the code, which Is constructed
as bearing upon boycottng or strikes against
Objectionable persons, as was the case with
regard 10 Foreman Hartt, and submitted the
following as q substitute for the law as it
stands:
''And the orderly and peaceable assembling
or cooperation Of persons employed in any
calling, trade or handicraft, ftr the purpose
Of securing or aidisg other persons 50 en-
ployed la sesuring an advance In the rate Of
wagus or compensation, or more favorable
conditions Of employment In any other re-
spect, or of maintaining or aiding other per
Sons 50 employed in maintaining such rate or
conditions, or OF obtaining OF aiding other
persons ~ employed IN obtaining the redress
Of any grievance against employers, Is not q
conspiracy, and Il shall not be unlawful for
any persons.employed In any calling, trade
On handiorart, Tor purpose OF such oo-opera-
ton, 10 unite, combine on bind themselves by
oath, agreement, alliance or otherwise, 10
PERSUADE advise OF encourage by peaoeable
means any person or persons 10 enter into
any combination Tor or against leaving or
entering into the employment Of any person,
nrm or COT rpotHUon, OF 10 persuade, advise or
encourage by peacenbie means any person,
6rm on corporation to withhold his or lis
custom, patronage or employment from any
person, firm o. corporation
The report ended with a recommendation
that every working woman should DO asked
10 cooperate in tho work OF securing such
rcpeals aud amendments - Me law as were
demanded by trade and labor unions
bi She afternoon supplementary report
WA pgcsontod Il ordsred the executive
COMMITTEES 70 use every means 30 enforce the
gcrfertnce's wishes, but 10 take the report as
il5 gIice aud 70 call upon union men every
whore 60 vots Against every candidate who
refused 70 publicly pledge himself against ex-
isting conspiracy laws
The convention adjourned after electing
Paul Siebert treasurer, and providing for all
indebtedness, and tho executive committee
afterwATd held meeting and organized by
the election of Henry A. Hicks, OF the Stair
builders union, Of New York city, chairman;
William Shakespeare secretary, and Paul
Stebert, treasurer.
They Robbed john smith Rnd Were Shot
NASHVILLE Sept l9.--I9hn Smith Jr. if,
contractor on the Nashville and Knoxville
railroad, was shot and robbed Of $1,000 by
two hiuh vr-ar-r1au uaor NJ Tohu-