The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-11
WELCOMED BY GOVERNOR AND MAYOR.
The American Federation of labor
Meets at the Hub.
Reply Of President Compers to Bos-
toms Cordial Greeting.
Woburn knights of Labor Ready for
Struggle.

al convention this morning, in the Council
Chamber, City Hall, the latter being deco
rated in honor OF the occasion. There was q
full representation Of delegates. with Presi
dent Samuel Gompers of New York in the
chair. Following the opening of the session
committee was chosen to escort Governor
Ames and Mayor Hart to the meeting. They
were introduced by the president, and were
warmly received. Governor Ames, who first
addressed the assembly, spoke substantially
as follows:
81 am glad to welcome to this common
wealth you who represent very considera-
BILE number of the workingmen of this busy
and prosperous country. You could not
have chosen for your assembling more ap-
propriate place than this city-the metrop0-
lis not only of Massachusetts,, but also of
New England, for it is the centre of indus
tries which are second to none in this coun-
try in their magnitude and Importance,
From its very beginning, this commonwealth
has been the home of industrious and hard
working people, and their industry and thrift
have brought with them success and pros
perity. As community We have been won
derfully fortunate. but we have also been in
cessantly at work, and our good fortune is
the result of our labor. We recognize in la
Dor the main source Of all our wealth. For
the workingman MASSACHUSETTS, has abun-
dant opportunity, and if he is not respected
by all her people it is because in the individ-
ual there is some fault that offsets or de-
StrOys his worth. Holding, as We do, the
w0rkingman in such high estimation, we be-
lieve and practice the belief that there is no
Dor. Without capital, labor is hampered
and its results limited in these days of large
operations, but without labor capital be-
comes unpr0ductive, and it is only ques-
tion OF time for 1t to become exhausted. We
have never been brought to the pass of capi-
tai seeking to crush labor, or of labor striv-
ing to overthrow capital; and may that time
never come. You meet here as the repre-
sentatives of others to deliberate for their
general good. In your discussions and ac-
tion / believe that you will bear in mind that
all relations are reciprocal, and that to shift
ton is but to invite disaster. But know
that you are men of affairs-men who are
accustomed to think and act for yourselves
and will not trouble you with my advice
further than to express the wish that all
you may do may tend to promote the welfare
of all sorts and conditions of men,"
His Honor, the Mayor, was then introduc-
ed, aud spoke briefly.
Frank K. Foster, secretary of the Boston
Central Labor Union, also addressed the del
egates in brief remark, of welcome.
President Gompers then said:
"Your Excelency, Your Honor, My
Friends and Fellow Workers, Brother Fos-
teri confess that words fail me to express
the appreciation of your kind words, and
your hearty and cordial welcome. The sug-
gestions you have presented and the
thoughts you have given expression to in
connection with our organization we are
pleased to hear, and shall give them that
consideration which we think they deserve.
"OrganiZed labor of Massachusetts, Or
ganized labor Of the country, organized la
Dor of tie world. has demonstrated that the
old thoughts that accompanied the name of
organized labor, the old contumely and con-
tempt for the efforts Of the working people
to organize and improve their condition, are
not deserved, but, on the contrary, working
people have organized, and demonstrated
their ability to organize and improve their
condition. and with that time began an
era when all men could see that organ
ization of labor had the same tendencies,
the same influences upon men that 1t has
that organization tended to enlighten
the mind, to broaden the intelligence
to see clearer wrongs and injustice, and that
by concerted effort we endeavor to improve
them. l think the whole world, the men
who labor and think, acknowledge that the
status of the working people is higher today
than it ever was, that the working people
have clearer perception aud conception of
their rights and privileges, and their honest
independence, that is only begOtten from
organization.
"Our organization is one founded on emil
nent practical questions. We propose to or
organize our fellows, we propose TO improve
the condition of our fellow working men
and women, to raise men upon a higher
standard Of life, higher plane of the social
structure in which we live. And we hope
that the time may not be far distant, we
hope that as time goes on the working peo-
pie shall be larger shareIs in the making
and execution of our laws. Applause.
Il assure you that the working people you
represent. at least in trades unions and un-
der the banner OF the American Federation
OF Labor, know what they want. believe
they possess the intelligence TO formulate it,
and hope the influence to secure it. Zap
plause.]
"We feel honored by the welcome extend
ed to us on behalf Of the state, on behalf of
the city which rolled forth in thunder tones
the cry for a greater degree of liberality for
the people of the country and the world.
We are proud to be in Boston, we know so
many OF Its memories and incidents con-
nected with its history; we revere its ira
diti0ns and Its men. IApplause.I
u thank you again on behalf Of the dele
gates and officers here assembled, and as
sure you that the welcome you have extend
ed to us will be stored up in our minds, and
will ever be an epoch In the history of our
organization. | am confident, as we'll as
sharing the hope that the deliberations of
this convention will in no way reflect dis
credit upon the Commonwealth Of Massa-
chusetts,or our country, but on the contrary,
be fraught with thesbest.results to organized
labor, and the whole people of our time.
[Applause.
A committee on credentials was appointed
and it was voted that while the committee
was examining credentials the convention
should take a recess for the purpose of in
specting the Australian ballot system.
The convention was called to order by
nA RfnIN Nalr a..A
Immediately adjourned, as the Committee on
Credentials was not ready to report. The
second session proper opened at one o'clock,
and the report of the committee was made at
once. The report gave seventy-five delegates
present, representing organizations from
every part Of the country. The Chairman
announced as a Committee on Rules.
A. Barnes, J. ID. Wade, c. p. Sloan, d.
Harris and w. Stipprick. A formal vote of
thanks was extended the City Government
for an invitation to carriage ride this after
noon, which was accepted. Following the
appointment by the Chair of delegates
Christopher Evans as Assistant Secretary of
the convention and Hugh McGregor as
Snrpaant-at- Arms and MpSSanpar II was