St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-05
GO:AS-YOU-PLEASE STYLE,
Adopted AS the Best by the State Eight
Hour Convention.
PICNICS ARE THE RAGE.
Plans for Celebrating Labor Day---Re-
ports Oh Ward Agitation Com
niittees.

The state eight-hour league conyen-
ton was held at the Labor Temple yes
terday afternoon. The time set for the
convention was 2:30, but it was after 3
before the meeting was called to order,
owing to the fact that many of the dele
gates from out of town were late in ar
irving. There were AT delegates in all
from various portions of the state, al
though the majority were from this city
and Minneapolis. These delegates
represented seventy-two different
unions and assemblies. The presl-
dent, G. E. Ledgerwood, was absent
and, to fill the void. Miss Eva Melon
aid. the well-known Minneapolis labor
enthusiast, was elected temporary
chairman. After the committee on
credentials had made their report the
routine business of the term was taken
up. A letter was read from President
Ledgerwood. in which he signified his
desire to resign from his present posi-
ton. On account of his being absent,
however, no action was taken In the
matter. The picnic committee reported
that the Fourth of July cele-
bratiOn, which all of the eight
hour men INDUCED in, was a
success as far as the finances were con-
cerned, as, after all Of the bills had
been paid. there still remained a
small surplus. The report was accepted,
and vote of thanks rendered the COM
mittee for the excellence of its work.
At the previous eight-hour league
convention committee for each ward
in Minneapolis had been appointed,
with instructions to agitate in their
respective wards the holding of OPEN
air meetings to discuss the all-impor-
tant topic. Several Of the committees
reported that so far but three meetings
had been held, while others reported
that the seed had been sOWn. and great
results, as far as meetings were con-
cerned, might be expected within three
weeks.
The general sentiment was that st.
Paul should also have committees to
agltate public meetings as we'll as Min
naepolis. Accordingly Messrs. j.
Frances, T. Reese and j. D. Coughlin
were appointed as committee to APP
point subcommittee in each ward.
A communication was received from
the Minneapolis Cigarmakers' union
which embodied an invitation to the en-
tire convention to q ''picnic elabOra-
tum,' to be held in Minneapolis on La
Dor day. Of course this was accepted
unanimously. Not to be outdone in pic
MICS, the delegates from the st. Paul
Trades assembly reported that they,t
intended to commune with nature and
lunch baskets, and invited everybody
to attend picnic to be held the first
Sunday in September somewhere with
in the city limits.
The picnic portion Of the convention
+Ia I'll Td nratnrinnI
portion of the convention girded up its
foins. as it were, and awaited for oppor-
tunities. 81. 3. Martin, of Minneapo-
lis. was the first to expand. He said it
was his opinion that the best and surest
way to cultivate the public at large to
sympathize with the eighI-hOur move
ment was to hold public meetings and
wake up enthusiasm. 1t gave people
chance to air their views on the
subject, he maintained, and that
was healthful for the move
ment. The trades assembly peo-
pie, however, did not coincide with
MIR. Martin. They thought it better to
talk the matter up among the labor
organizations, men who would under
stand just what it meant for themselves.
AS no convention is complete unless
there are opposing factions, neither was
this one. Inc hnlgnIS OIL LdDOr lneH
held up their side of the question as
moutlred by Mr.. Martin, and the trades
assembly men stuck heroically to their
system. The consequence was that
for a time the question as to
which was the best way to
create interest in the eight-hour move
ment was discussed pro and Icon and
handled without gloves. 1t finally
ended in most pleasant way and which
satisfied everybody, as it was decided to
allow everybody to work as he pleased.
The convention then adjourned until
the second Sunday in September, when
another one will be held at the Labor
Temple, Minneapolis.