Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-21
RELIGION THE ISSUE
In the Canvass for Delegates to the
Amalgamated Convention.
A SOCIETY OF COAL MINERS.
Wage Troubles Cause Great Delay to the
Pleasant Valley Road.
REPUBLIC STRIKERS RETURN TO WORK

The selection of delegates to the annual
convention in June of the Amalgamated
Association Of Iron and Steel Workers is
causing more excitement than any election
known in the history OF the organization.
In a great many lodges the issue OF the
election is religion, and Protestants are ar
raging themselves against Catholics and
vice versa. 1t is expected that the coming
convention will be lively one on account
of the religious feeling stirred up at last
years meeting. Since they were ignited
last June. the fires have been smoldering.
and in many lodges they will be famed into
blaze before the next scale is made.
The determination now is to get delegates
with pronounced religious views, and at the
election of officers the representatives
chosen will be of the same religious COM
ple1ion as those in the majority at the con-
vention.
MANY HINTS THROWN OUT.
At the last convention many were the
hints thrown out about the latent feeling
between Catholics and Protestants in the
meeting Nothing definite was published
about the trouble at the time, but since then it
has leaked out from various sources.
The trouble began with the accident on Fifth
avenue while the delegates were on their way
to the picnic at Rock Point. While marching
on Fifth avenue a cable car broke through the
ranks and caused some confusion. On the fol-
lowing Monday the action of the gripman was
severely denounced in the convention. One of
the delegates who made speech against the
ranks being broken by a cable car was Thomas
Perry, of Shoenberger's mill. He said he saw
no reason why their ranks were broken by
street cars, with police officers on board, when
other organizations with headquarters near
streets on Sunday and be given police protec-
ton. The "other organizations" were thought
to be the knights of st. George and other
Catholic societies which meet near PerrY's res
idence.
The manner in which the speech was made
stirred up some of the Catholic delegates.
Among the latter was ]. c. Kilgallon, the we'll
known Catholic representative OF Carneg1e's
Twenty-ninth street mill. He spoke against
Mr.. Perry, and several others took hand in
the discussion.
mated for the position now held by Secretary
Martin. there was religious breeze. Madden
is Catholic, ana had for his opponent Secre-
tary Martin. who is a Protestant. The relig-
ious feeling had divided the convention by the
time the balloring began, and the Catholics.
many of whom were Martins friends. voted
for Madden. On the other hand, manv Protes-
tants who thought we'll of the Assistant Secre-
tary, refused to vote for him and stuck to Mar
tin. on account of the religious feeling. AS
result, Mr.. Martin received 120 and MIR. Mad
den 20 votes.
ANOTHER SNAG STRUCK.
A snag was struck again when the newly
elected secretary, Mr.. Martin, served notice on
the delegates that he would appoint Deputy
George 8. Baird to the position held by Mr..
Madden. This caused a howl from the Cath
olic end, which interfered and refused to allow
Mr.. Madden to be displaced Mr. KiIgallon
was opposed to 1t and denounced the action in
bitter speech. Others who supported Mr..
Madden were Thomas Carney. of Jones &
Laughlins' mill and Thomas NARROW. also of the
Southside. Trustee Edward A. Keil of the
Pittsburs Forge and Iron Works. supported
retention of Mr.. Madden in the position. 1t is
now rumored that strong effort will be made
to oust him If Secretary Martin retains his
place.
1t is altogether likely that Mr.. Martin will
succeed President Weihe. The latter served
notice at the last convention that he would
officlate another year. but positively refused to
become a candidate in 1890 The trouble at
Shoenberger's. where the men refused to obey
his orders. will not be an inducement for Presi-
dent Weihe to continue at the head of the Or
ganization. So far there are only two candi-
dates in the field for President-Secretary
Martin, who has been asked to accept the
nomination, and James Grundy, of Covington,
KY. The latter Is one of the oldest members in
the association, and, it is said, would make an
admirable President. He has filled several
executive positions in the organization.
In Carnegie's ThIrty-third street mill there Is
considerable feeling over the selection of
delegates. In Superior lodge there are eight
candidates, with two to elect. strong effort
Is being made to elect two Protestants-James
Sutton and David Wallace. The Catholics are
divided among the other six candidates, and it
is stated that Wallace and Sutton will be
elected. The election will be held on Saturday
next.
Among other changes rumored on the slate
is the retirement of Florence G. Sullivan, Vice
President of the Second district. 1t is said
James Kilgallon is against him.