Workmen's advocate., 1889-12-21
FEDERATED LABOR
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOS-
 TON CONTENTION.

Capitalist Politicians "Welcome" the
 Delegates of 5OO,OOO Proletaires
 Onward with the Eight Hour
 Work -Day!-Attitude of the Amer.
 jean Federation toward the K.
 of l..
 Gay with banners and flags was the Common Council cham Der last Tuesday morning. The rich silken banners of the various trades hung around the galleries and back of the president s chair.
 A large number of delegates were present at the opening of the conven- tion of the American Federation of Labor. At 10 o'clock President Samuel Gompers trapped to order and con- mittee was sent to notify the Mayor and Governor that the Convention had as- sembled.
 Chairman FOsterof the Entertainment Committee introduced them to the president
 THE GOVERNORS SPEECH.
 President Gompers introduced Gov. Ames, who said;
 GENTLEMEN :--l am glad to welcome to this Commonwealth you who repre- sent a very considerable number of the workingmen of this busy and prosper ous country. You could not have chosen for your assembling a more appropriate place than this city-the metropolis not only of Massachusetts, but also of New England-for it is the center of indus tries that are second to none in this country in their magnitude and import, ance.
 From its very beginning this Con- monwealth has been the home of in. dustrious and hard-working people, and their industry and thrift have brought with them success and prosper ity. As community we have been wonderfully fortunate, but we have also been necessarily at work, and our good fortune is the result of our labor. We recognize in labor the main source of all our wealth.
 "For the vorkingman Massachusetts has abundant opportunity, and if he is not respected by all her people, it is be- cause in the individual there is some fault that offsets or destroys his worth. Holding, as we do, the wOrkingman in ,oh h,frk l,1sn l practice the belief, that there is no natural antagonism between Capital and Labor. Without capital labor is hampered, and its results limited in these days of large operations, but with out labor capital becomes unproductive, and it is only a question: of time for it to become exhausted. We have never been brought to the pass of capital seek ing to crush labor, or of labor striving to overthrow capital, and may that time never come.
 "You meet here as the represent atives of others, to deliberate for their general good. In your discussions and action 1 believe that you will bear in mind that all relations are reciprocal and that to shift the center of power too far in either direction is but to invite disaster. But l know that you are men of affairs-men who are accustomed to think and act for themselves-andI will not trouble you with my advice further than to express the wish that all that you may do may tend to promote the welfare of all sorts and conditions of nen."
 At the close of Gov Ames' address the Convention loudly applauded,
 The President then introduced Mayor Hart, who welcomed the delegates or behalf of the city of Boston. He said:
 THE MAYORS SPEECH.
 "GENTLEMEN OF THE AMERICAN FED ERATIoN OF LABOR ;-I bid you welcome in Boston; 1 bid you welcome in oul City Hali, trust that your delibera tions will result in benefits to the com munIty and to the cause you have specially at heart--the cause of hones work honestly appreciated,
 "It seems to me that the recent his tory of labor is full of encouragement We exclude all foreign labor that tries tO tHttI lut oulltu DtdlbS dHutI COIl tract, for we want freemen only to com, here. Labor statistics are now collected with greater care than ever before, fo we want the truth, and nothing but tn, truth. And here in Massach usetts l can not but refer with satisfaction to the ob jects and achievements of our Stat, Board of Arbitration and Cancellation which establishes and vindicates tn, principle that the relations between em ployers and employees are not only matter of private contract, but also public concern in which the Common wealth may recommend whatever seem equitable and right.
 !" Your particular interest in the eigh hour movement Is hardly greater thal