San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-07-11
The Texas Federation Of Labor.

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The Texas Federation OF Labor
met in Dallas last Wednesday, and
organized by electing W. Il. Farmer
permanent chairman, and james
Boggs as permanent secretary. The
object OF the organization was declar-
cd to be 10 promote the s hour move
ment and promote unity of action
aOong the wage workers OF the state.
For members of the executive
committee the following names were
rendered. First and second districts,
NJ. p. Jones of Houston; third and
fourth, L. L. Rhodes of Preuitt, Van
Zandt county; fifth and sixth Q. w.
Geers of Denton; ninth and tenth, j.
NJ. Smith OF Temple; for the colored
delegation, Melvin Wade Of Dallas.
The selection of the place for hold
ing the next annual meeting was
gone into, and after q spirited con-
test between Paris, Marshall, Dallas
and Fort Worth, the latter city
was selected on the second ballot,
July 8 and 4, 1889, was designated
as the time.
On Thursday the report OF the
committee on Constitution reported
as follows which was adopted:
We, the representatives OF the
various trade and labor masses OF
Texas, in order to form central Or
grnization for the benefit OF all labor
ing men, do adopt the following de-
claration of principles:
First. We declare it to be the
duty of every laboring man to use
his utmost endeavors to secure am
elioration OF the condition Of the Ia
boring classes, and to accomplish this
we believe that the central organiza-
ton should exist whereby all branches
may prove allies to any particular
one that may be oppressed by CAPT
tai.
Second. We hereby pledge our
selves to assist each other in secur-
ing fair wages to the laboring man
by all honorable means, and shall
withdraw and use our influence to
have others withdraw all patronage
from any unfair employer, let his
calling be what it may.
Third. We are in favor OF arbit-
ration between employer and employ
ed, and especially so whenever trades
unions instead of striking for the &C
complishment of any just purpose, do
SO out of revenge; but where in the
right, if the funds will allow it, the
resistance, instead of being passive,
should become active and aggressive
and by using the funds productivell
instead of uproductively.
After which the platform commit
tee made the following report, which
was taken up by sections and adopt
ed:
First. That we favor eight hours
as a days work, and demand the
passage of q law 80 declaring, and
pledge ourselves to do all in our pow
or to establish and perpetuate the
system from and after May 1, 1890.
Second. That we favor single
tax or tax upon land values; the re-
peal of all other taxes whatsoever,
because all other taxation is fine
placed upon intelligence, energy or
labor.
Third. That we favor the repeal
of the National bank law so that all
issues of money shall be by the gov
eminent only, and by law declared to
be of equal value and full legal tend
or.
Fourth. That the only equitable
solution of the transportation ques-
ton is in the government ownership
of railways, telegraphs and tele-
phones.
Fifth. We favor the abolition of
the United States Senate and all
State Senators, because of the corrup-
ton practiced; the abolition of the
grand jury system, because it is used
by designing men to crush, ostracise
and prosecute in some instances those
who oppose existing systems and the
supremacy of their democratic or re-
publican factions, and
To this end, that our votes may be
counted when cast and the corruption
and the Doodle system be obliterated,
we favor the Australian system of
holding elections; the election of all
officers by the direct vote of the peo-
pie, and for law that will secure
hen upon the products of labor.