St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-15
ASSESS MEN S Fon STRIKES.
The Federation OF Labor Must
Have Money for FIN ergencies.

Boston, Dec. 14.-At the opening OF
the fifth days session of the American
Federation of Labor to-day the report OF
the committee on constitution was taken
UP after roll call at the point at which
it was left last evening. The debate
was animated and great interest was
manifested in the arguments of the
speakers. The friends of closer union
anu improved machinery for handling
strikes. which may occur May were
out in full force. The representatives
of the International Typographical
Union and number of printers who
come from central organizations were
decidedly opposed to the question OF
assessments tn meet expenses of the
expected strikes May l. The following
section was adopted. 81 to IL:
The executive council shall have the
power and are directed to levy strike as
sessment Of two cents per member IN the
first of January. 1890, on all national and
International bodies under the jurisdiction
of the federation.
An amendment was proposed giving
to the executive committee the power
to call upon body to levy strike as
SeSSment not exceeding two cents per
week, to continue at the discretion of
the executive council. A long discus
sion ensued, relating to the inserting OF
the clause. Unless otherwise ordered
by vote of all national and interna-
tiOnal unions." and the amendment as
amended was adopted almost unani-
mouSly. a recess was then taken. At
the afternoon session the delegates con-
Sidered the following substitute article
and amendment. introduced be Dele
gates Ross and O[g:
alor inf rr of,
body connected with the FEDERATION failing
to comply with the requirements Of this arti-
Gle with n the period IF thirty days Sh III be
suspended. and shall not be reinStaled until
all arrearageS are paid i'll full.
This was amended so that organiza,
tions represented in this convention
whose delegates have been instructed
to oppose the levying of all assessment
shall not be liable to suspension until
they have acted on the matter at the
next national or international eonyen-
ton. After considerable discussion,
the article as amended was adopted,
with a provision for the publiea-
ton by the executive council of
detailed account of the
strike, for the support of which the as
sessment was levied. The per capita
tax was fixed at One-fourth OF one cent.
1t was next voted to have all money
paid to the secretary. rather than to the
president. as has been done in the past.
The committee recommended that Sec
ton of article 9 be stricken out. The
section gives the executive coun-
Gil power to make rules to gov
ern the same. An amendment that
the council make rules where they
did not clash With the constitution was
added to the old section. and the Sec
ton as amended was adopted. Some
slight additional amendments were
agreed to and the constitution as
whole was then adopted. The special
committee appointed to consider the at
titude of the federation toward the
Knights of Labor, submitted its report,
which was adopted. The federation
states its position as follows:
First, that the Knights of Labor shall dis
countenance and revoke the charters of all
trade assemblies or districts within their
orders; second, that In turn the American
Federation of Labor and affiliated trade
unions will urge their members and encours
age the working people to become members
of mixed assemblies CT the Knights of Labor.
The time has arrived when the trade
unions should claim their own. The trend
of organization shows that the wage-earners
OF America are weary of having their iu-
terests adjusted by the measure of the huek-
ster or yardstick of the merchant.
we assert the natural right of the trade
unions To occupy the trade Unions territory.
When this right is conceded, diseord VIII
united.''
The election of officers resulted in the
reelection of President Samuel Com
pers, of New York, and Secretary p. j.
Mcguire. of New York. Final adjourn.
ment was then maze. Detroit will ba
the place Of next meeting.