The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-18
FOR THE EIGHT HOUR DAY.
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR SPEAKS.
Vigorous Effort VIII BE Made Next May
to Secure the shorter Day-More OFF,
GERS Added to the Council
other Business.

BosroN, Dec. lS.-The federation of labor
resumed its sessions this morning. The
committee on resolutions, represented by
Joseph B. Liable, brought up again a reso-
luton on child labor in the following re-
vised form:
Resolved, That we urge the abolition of child
labor before the age of fourteen years.
This was accepted and passed by the
convention. The committee reportedfavor-
ably on the following resolutions:
The saddle and harness makers of America
desire the cooperation of all affiliated trades
in their efforts to protect themselves from evils
induced by competition with the product of
the prisons of our land, and would urge upon
our delegates the necessity of either regulating
or abollshing the crying evil which compels
honest men in the struggle ion living to COM
pete with the labor of convcts, clothed, fed
and housed by the several states in this Union.
That the continuity of the American fedora
ton of labor be recognized and dated from the
year 1881 in all future documents issued.
That the American federation OF labor de-
clares its desire that congress shall restore
wages in the government printing office to the
rate prevailing previous to 1877, and indorse
the efforts of the typographical union, No. 10l,
of Washington, to secure the same.
Delegate Lyons of North Adams, men,
Der of the incoming legislature, intro
duced the following:
Whereas, 1t is known that certain employers
of labor in the various parts OF the country are
forcing their employees to sign away their rights
citizens, the federation of labor demands
OF the various legislatures that they enact laws
making such methods unlawful.
The committee on resolutions reported
adversely on this resolution, and the con-
artfaraI fr,fn lauofhxy 1iconc
of the principle underlying the resolution
and its effect upon the working people, if
a law such as was asked was enacted. The
resolution was finally adopted by 80 to %,
there being fifteen delegates absent.
The committee on presidents address
submitted its final report. In the matter
of alien contract labor, the committee rec
commended the adoption of a resolution
favoring amendments to the alien contract
law which make it effective. 1t recon-
mended that all matters relating to farmers
be referred to the executive council. 1t
urged the delegates and every member Of
the federation TO work earnestly to carry
out the suggestion of the president The
report, as a whole, was adopted.
Among the resolutions was one con-
demning the buying and selling OF ball
players by the National league, and calling
upon the labor unions to support the
brotherhood organization. These resolu-
tons were referred to the committee on
boycotts. The committee on organization
reported favorably on resolutions urging
special assistance to the organization of
boot and shoe workers, coal miners, furni-
ture workers, sailors and fremen and
journeymen brewers, and they were
adopted.
In the afternoon the constitution was
voted upon in detail. After a long debate
it was voted, A to Is, that the basis of
representation in the federation shall
remain as at present George E. Mcneil,
for the eight-hour committee, presented a
report which, after setting forth the adj
vantages to be derived from an eight hour
law, SAYS: "Your committee is agreed that
existing conditions will not justify
the hope that at this time all
the crafts win be prepared to enforce
the eight-hour system on the LIST OF May,
1890, although many of the trades are now
ready, and many more will be by the time
specified for the Inauguration OF this, the
greatest OF industrial reforms. We, there
fore, recommend that the executive coun-
ell shall have power to select such trade
or trades from those affiliated with the
American federation of labor as SHALL in
llb JuuBIHeut, DC UcsL pISpdISu W dCuloNo
success, and that each union in
the federation be requested to as
sess its members 10 cents per week
for so many weeks as shall be necessary to
secure the short-hour day, payment upon
such assessments to commence not later
than March /, $780, that all trades affili-
ated with the American federation of labor
not now working the eight-hour day, or
between whom and their employers ex-
listing contracts may prevent. shall appoint
committees to confer with their employers,
and, if possible, secure reduction OF the
hours of labor to eight per day, and that
the executive council shall appropriate for
their use, if needed, such a sum or sums
as can be spared from the money received
for the trade or trades selected by the ex-
ecutive council"
The constitution was then taken up
again, and the delegates proceeded to it's
further discussion section by section.
Under the article relating to officers an
addition was accepted declaring that the
president, two vice presidents, a secretary
and treasurer shall constitute the execu-
tive council.