The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-23
NORTH AMERICAN TURSERBUSD.
A Warm and Excited Discussion Ends in .
Strong Declaration Against Anarchy.

CHICAGO, Nay 22.-The North American Turn.
erbund decided, this afternoon, that it IL not
anarchists. and has nothing to do with any an
shape of q direct republication of anarchistic
ideas in view of the impression caused by the
conduct of certain members and societies that
the ansrchistic element was in control The
reputation Was direct aud emphatic. The
vote on it stood 379 against 208 But
even the minority does not consist of An
archlsts. Most of those who voted in the mega
tive did so because they did not want to repudi-
ate q charge not directly made, some because
they had been personalfriends of the Anarchists
who were executed. and many because Of their
horror of the death penalty. It Was . signal
victory for the anti-Anarchist element. but the
occurrence cams about in such a way as to en-
phasize the radical position that the society oc-
cupies on social questions.
The morning session of the convention was
spent in discussing the Teachers Seminary at
Milwaukee. which has been under the control
Of the Milwaukee society. 1t was decided to
1t under the control OF the national executive
board. The board was instructed to prepare q
plan for the reorganization of the seminary and
submit it to the next convention, in 1890. The
4 01CSn q o
the attitude of Turner's towards the
Anarchists and anarchy, came up in the
afternoon, when the report of the onmitte on
national organization was submitted to the con-
vention. The Green Bay Turnverein. . few
months ago, had issued a circular demanding
that all who sympathize6 with the Chicago An
archists be expelled, and threatening to with
draw if the demand was refused. On this mat
ter the report recommended . reprimand to the
Green Bay Turnverein. The reprimand was upon
the technical ground of violation of the Turn
ers' constitution by such a mode of procedure as
their circular and its threats of secession. The
committee, in this connection, submitted q plat
form of principles setting forth that the con-
vention Of the North American Turnerbund Is
in accord with all just demands for the
moderation Of the social condition
of the working people, and is re-
to fix proper boundaries to the oppression by
monopoly which is constantly getting more in
toierable. The resolution added that ''in . re-
public all necessary reforms must be brought
abont in a peaceable and legal way. All appeals
riots, ard to violent self help, such as were
made in recent times on the free soil Of the Re-
public. are condemned most alphabetically as
criminal"
There were a number Of other planks rsiter-
ating the well-known ideas of the Turner's In
opposition to Prohibitionists and Know-noth-
ings. The committee to leave the
executive board for another two years at St
Louis. For the next convention il proposed
the cities OF New York, Pittsburg and San
A spirited fight began the moment the read
ing OF the report was ended. q. Kuestermann,
representing the Green Bay Turnverein, de-
clared their circular was necessary because of
the action of the executive board in allowing
the public, at a critical time, to identify the
Turner's with anarchy.
Turner MAYER, of kansas. moved to expel the
Green Bay Turnverein. and was seconded by
Rnfr0Al ~ na<a4
Karl Blum, Of the Chicago Aurora Turnverein
august Spiess societyh went into . personal
eulogy of Spies, until he was called to order.
At this point Mayor Wallber. of Milwaukee,
port declaring against the use of violence. He
wished to make it stronger by ''repelllng with
indignation the reproach that we are open to
anarchistic ideas" and announcing that I'VE
shall always stand up for law and order"
Then the discussion became excited. Editor
Beppe, of the Turner's national organ, shouted
that even anarchism must be allowed . free OK
preston In a republic.
A Chicago delegate demanded that the word
criminal in the committees report, be
stricken out.
John GIoy vehemently urged that the an
srchism idea was largely q soars-crow Of the
capitalists, and that it was unnecessary to repu-
date it.
Max Stern, Of Chicago. maintained that the
Anarchists were not hanged because they held
certain ideas. but because they melted to MUIR
der, and that murder was committed.
Detmer. Of Ohio. yelled: "What 10 snsrchismf
Does it mean anything in this country but the
labor movement"
Cries of shame and Kisses greeted she ioter-
~ruption, and after calmer speeches by Wallber
and others, the amendment was adopted-379 to
to 2O8. The recommendations Of tho committee,
as a y whole. were then adapted by . viva voce
vote, only about q dozen voices being heard in
the negative.
At the night session New York was chosen
as the place for holding the next convention.
The New York district was ordered to r~e-install
tho representative of the Social Democratic
Turnverin. thus overruling the expulsion of that
society from the Turner'S.