Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-03-01
LABOR MEN ORGANIZE.
Adopt a Constitution and Elect Off
cnps

The trade councils and central labor
unions of the state held three days con.
ventOn in Lansing in February. Organ
ization was effected the first day, and res
olutions adopted in favor Of eight hours as
a days labor, indorsing the bill for a two
cent fare on Mich gan railroads but reject
ing the amendment prohibiting free passes.
The federation refused 10 indorse Frank
Is. Egan for public printer. and asked the
President 10 appoint a union printer TO that
office. Kreighofs resolution opposing
high License and sumptuary legislation was
knocked out.
Wctaufer's single tax bill received the
Endorsement Of the committee on resolu-
tons, but this action was not conCurred in
by the convention, which considered the
measure impractlcable. Tho proposition TO
iudorse Rheine' 5 voting machiueas the best
method to secure the purity of elections
was largely discussed, but no conclusion
was reached
When the federation assembled on the
same day, President GOldwater in "A char
acteristic address, stated that the combina-
tons or capitalists were plotting against
the rights and liberties of the working peo-
pie, rendering the individual unions pow.
erlcss for self-protection, and so larger and
more powerful combinations OF labor were
necessary.
The third day of the session was devoted
10 the adoption of a constitution, and finally
agreed upon a document declaring that
nothing is rightfully sub ect TO ownership
but that which is produced by labor. That
personal occupancy and use are the only
rightful title TO land The present patent
laws were declared unjust.
The objects Of the federation were de
clared TO be 20 promote the Industrial inter
ests OF the members in particular, and the
laboring class IN general TO collect facts re
Carding iniustices practiced upon indiyidu
al aud collective Nx-nrlsavs 1fah -,
TO the world 10 urge laboring people and
their sympathizers TO patrouize union made
goods bearing union labels TO systematize
and prosecute boycotts sanctioned by the eX-
ecutiYe committee: To uphold strikes legal
lied by the same authority; to shorten the
day S work; 10 secure equal pay for equal
work Cor both sexes; TO collect statistics
relative TO the financial, social and physical
condit ons of labor; 10 establish a weekly
pay day in all trades prsctcable TO aid
and encour lge the labor press of the state
and to establish an organ of this confedcra-
ton.
The Michigan Arbeter Zeitung was made
the German Official paper OF the organiza.
ton. resolution was adopted In favor of
the Rhines' ballot box at elections Com
pulsory education was indOrsed and the re-
peal OF the Baker conspiracy law is de
manded. East Saginaw was selected as
the place for the next annual meeting.
The following officers We're elected
President, Joseph Labadie of Detroit, first
vice-prcsidont, Frank n. Gill of Grand
Rapids second vice president, John Ralph
Of Marquette; third vice president, X. j.
Curtis OF jackson; secretal ana treasurer
George w. Duncan II Detroit. Executive
board, +. Nj. McPhillips of Jackson John
butcher of Saginaw, j. &. Mitchell Of De
troit, II. &. Wlllahan of Grand Rapids,
Henry lvo Of Detroit. Legislative commit
tive, &. G.. Smith, A. J. Whitman, Daniel
Barringer, all Of Lansing.
The state fremcn's association meets in
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