Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-10-19
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF
LABOR.
The Call for the Boston Convention
by the Executiye--Its Object.

lnC iplloN iis vail lpl d NohNSiltlou
was issued by the president and secre-
tary of the American Federation of
Labor;
NEW YORK CITY, Oct. Is, 1889.
"To the Working People Of America-
Greeting:
"The fourth annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor will be
called to order at 10 o'clock on the
morning of Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1899, at
Wells Memorial Hall, 9S7 Washington
street, Boston, Mass.
''ln issuing this CALL the executive of
the American Federation of Labor take
the opportunity of congratulating their
fellow workers upon the remarkable
success which has attended their efforts
to unite the hitherto scattered forces of
labor 1t were well, also, on the eve of
a convention which will, in all probable
ity, be fraught with important conse-
quences to the future of the labor move
ment, to recall the circumstances which
have called the American Federation of
Labor into existence, and made it the
most powerful and freest labor organl-
cation in the world.
1T is well known that the most intelli-
gent and earnest portion of the working
class have for years past been seeking
to render employment and the means
of subsistence less precarious by secur-
ing an equitable share of the fruits of
their toll. This deep rooted determine
ton has led the working class of this
country to adopt the historic and nat
ural form of working class organiza-
tions; to establish and defend trade and
labor unions. 1T is not our present pur-
pose to dilate upon the sufferings and
successes, the trials and triumphs of the
unions. nor TO reassert our faith in the
ability of the unions to cope with every
emergency-economic, political or So
Cial. The trade union, the most bit
terly attacked and denounced institu-
ton in the worlds history, has success
fully withstood the open assaults of
capitalists and politicians, while calmly
repelling the secret Vaccinations of
conspirators within the very Gordon of
the camp of Labor. Suffice it, then, to
say that the workers have realized that
the men who are employed many partic-
ular branch of industry understand the
nature of it and are better qualified to
adjust any difficulties which may arise
with their employers than men who are
unacquainted with the conditions of
that business; that reckless and So
called sympathetic strikes are disas-
trous in the extreme, and generally
result in the workmen going back to
work upon the employers terms; and,
finally, the workers are convinced that
open organization is the best form of
organization, and that the time has now
arrived to openly, calmly and fear
lessly assert the claims of labor.
with these views the St. Louis con.
vention of the American Federation OF
Labor resolved upon general agitation
for the establishment of the elght-houl
workday upon May /, 1890, and it now
becomes the mission of the Boston con.
vention to transform, if in the wis
dom of the delegates there assembled il
may be deemed advisable, the agitation
which has now become worldwide
into an organized movement for it,
realization.
The basis of representation in the
convention is as follows:
"ErOm national or international
unions, for less than four Thousand mem
bers, one delegate; four thousand OF
more, two delegates; eight thousand OF
more, three delegates; sixteen thousand
or more, four delegates; thirty-twC
thousand or more, five delegates, and
SO on; and from each local or district
trade organization or federated body
not connected with or having nationa
or International head, affiliated with
this federation, one delegate.
"And now we would appeal to eacl
and every unionist to whom this cal
may be specially addressed, or into
whose hands it may arrive, to see to il
that the full number of delegates tt
which his union may be entitled b,
elected at the earliest possible date; thai
the delegate or delegates SO chosen bt
provided with the necessary credential
to the forthcoming convention, and tina
the name and addresses of the delegates
be forwarded to this Office, 81 Clinton
place, New York, without unnecessary
delay, in order that full provision may
be provided TOR their comfort and &C
commodation.
"Yours fraternally,
"SAM'L GoMPERS, Pres.
''P. j. MCGUIRE, Secy."