Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-19
labor Files a Protest.
Strong Resolutions Passed by
 the New York Conference.
CONSPIRACY LAWS DENOUNCED.

Ehe Resolutions Say They Disgrace the Penal Code of the state-Nore Tyran- nical Than English Laws-Little Faith in Politicians of Either Party.
 TROY, N. Y, Sept 19.-The Labor conven- tion has adjourned to meet again at the call of the executive committee, which is com posed of a representative from each congress sfonal district ill the state. Although it has had many difficulties to contend against the convention has accomplished the business for which it was called to the satisfaction of those present.
 Vice President Philip Kelly called the con ference to order at 9 o'clock, and Chairman John Morrison at once began to read the re- port of the committee resolutions. This was the most important feature of the con- ference. The preamble was a bitter indict- ment of the law making power and the judi ciary. 1t reads thus:
 We, tine representatives of organized labor of New York, delegated by our fellow wage workers to bring about by every constitu- tional means the repeal of the infamous con spiracy laws which disgrace the penal code of our state, declare that under these laws our brothers have been outrageously oppressed by fine and imprisonmet, ill manner only suited to feudal times, The laws which are to be
 
 practically placed the working men, women and children of New York state under conditions which are more compatible with the tNrannical governments of Ireland, Germany and Russia than of the United States, which claims that life, liberty and 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 eisions, favoring the monopostic classes who
 
 slavery.
 'We declare that section 16S of the penal code, as eXpounded by Judge Barrett in the case of Hart vs. Gill, and confirmed by the court of appeals, has produced state of affairs which is unjust and intolerable The courts thereby declare it crime for wage workers to organize for the purpose of short ening the hours of labor regulating the employment of apprentices, or otherwise i'm proving their condition.
 I've declare despotic the inferences drawn from the Hart case, that wage earners ought to be compelled on any pretence, to continue working under conditions which have become unsatisfactory to them, and we hold it to be common that anything which can be done by an individual without criminality cannot become criminal because agreed upon by two or more persons. Even monarchical England has by modifying the combination
 
 while this state has increased the legal bur dens of the working masses.
 We declare that the fact that under our popular form ot government such grievous laws against the industrial classes in the in terest of the privileged classes remain in force, demonstrates that the Republican and Democratic political machines, while pro fessing friendship for labor, are false and hypocritical charlatans, devoid of truth jus tice or stattsmanship.n
 After citing many instances of the convic- tions under the laws in this state the com mittee recommended the appointment of a central committee of one from each congress sional district to lnaugllrate systematic agi- tation the subject and it was declared that if the legislature did not change the laws by January, 1889, the conference would call upon the labor organizations throughout the state to take action that woulcf-insure their repeal.
 It was demanded that the legislature should strike out the word intimidation from sec tion 16S of the penal code, which makes it conspiracy ii two or more men combine to prevent another from exercising a lawful tra1e or calling, or doing any lawful act by force, threats, intimidation, or by interfering or threatening to interfere with tools, imple- ments or property belonging to or used by another, with the use or employment thereof.
 The report demanded the amendment of section ITO of the code, which is constructed as bearing upon boycotting or strikes against objectionable persons, as was the case with regard to 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, for the purpose cf oiA nfba ployed in securing an advance ill the rate o wages or compensation, or more favorabl, conditions of employment in any other re spect, or of maintaining or aiding other per sons employed in maintaining such rate o conditions, of obtaining or aiding othe persons so employed in obtaining the redres of any grievance against employers, is not conspiracy, and it shall not be unlawful fo any personsEemployed in any calling trad handicraft for purpose of such co-opera tion, to unite, combine or bind themselves b, oath, agreement, alliance or otherwise. t. persuade, advise or encourage by peaceabl means any person or persons to enter int . any combination for against leaving o entering into the employment of any person firm or corporation; or to persuade, advise o encourage by peaceable means any person firm or corporation to withhold his or it custom, patronage or employment from an person. firm or corporation"
 The report ended with recommendatio that every working woman should be aske to cooperate in the work of securing sue repeals and amendments to the law as wer demanded by trade and labor unions
 In the afternoon a supplementary repor was presented. It ordered the executiv committee to use every means to enforce tn conferences wishes, but to take the report 6 its guide and to call upon union men every tn Sata xxI refused to publicly pledge himself against e1 isting conspiracy laws.
 The convention adjourned after electin Paul Siebert treasurer, and providing for a indebtedness, and the executive committe afterward held meeting and organized b the election of Henry A. Hicks, of the Stai builders union, of New York city, chairman William Shakespeare, secretary, and Pal Siebert treasurer.
 They Robbed John Smith and Were Sho
 NASHVILLE Sept. 19-John Smith, Jr