Workmen's advocate., 1890-06-07


 would not trust him because of his weathercock position on all progressive questions and his attitude in the George McGlynn dispute, together with his Hill and Anti-Hill views, as expressed at the Cooper Union meeting. Then again the secret labor organizations were always opposed to my friend Archibald because of his desire for notoriety, so that he was not regar led as competent to do any work, except at and within the C. l.. U., by the political managers. l would prefer to see Mir. Archibald a more frank advocate of the Democratic party and boldly admit that he offered his services to the National Committee; that he had letter of introduction to the committee from one of the party leaders of this city; that he had letter of introduction to that leader from a person interested in an Irish secret or ganizatlon. And now l take this oppor- tunity of telling my friend why he got such cool reception at headquarters. The State Committee had an honest, straightforward man Investigating the character and standing of all labor men who applied for positions as speakers, etc. The young man l refer to holds State office and was elevated to his po- sitlon from the ranks of labor. This man thought it his duty to his party to report the tfue status of Mir. Archibald, and as consequence Mir. Archibald was used but little by either the State or National Committee. The only case where l know of him being used by the committee was at the Hill meeting in Cooper Union, though l have been in- formed that he was once sent up the State, but of course his pay went on. record? Is it a crime to be a good Democrat and receive wages for services rendered to any party Not at all. He did his work, he tried to do more and 1 am sorry that he did not succeed. In conclusion desire to say that am still his friend and with him in his fight for pure government in the c. L. U. can not understand why any body of men in the c. l.. U. should be opposed to so good a man. He is a genial, whole souled, good-natured fat man, a good Labor man and good Democrat at the same time; but 1 think he should throw otf his mask, be more candid. If he did so he would be more valuable to our party. With best wishes for the success of the Central lahor Union,
 remain yours respectfully,
 JOHN J. MCkENNA.
 The delegates on the Building Trades Section of the house laughed aloud when Boehm had finished reading and some of them demanded that the letter be "thrown in the waste basket A motion to that effect, however, was voted down by large majority, when delegate Archibald stated that the only time he had had anything to do with any of the political bosses was when Judge Power asked him what the c. l.. U. would do in case the County Democ- racy were to indorse the nomination of Sam. Gompers for Senator; and that he answered him, he would not be in favor of having Mr. Gompers used as tool of any party, but that three members of the c. L. U. should be nominated for the Assembly. He also denied ever having received any salary from the Democratic party, admitting that his expenses for trip to Buffalo had been paid by the Democrats. For all he had ever done for that party he did not feel ashamed, but he was rather proud of his record in that respect. The accusations made against him he would hurl back in the teeth of the "parasites" who had instigated them, and who crept into labor organizations for their own cow ardly purposes. He called John J. Nc Kenna miserable, contemptible cur" who had put the last straw upon the camefs back, and declared that he, Archibald, would break McKenna's nose at first sight. The Democratic and the Republican, as we'll as the Socialistic, Anarchistic and Nihilistic parties might be damned" for all he cared. He was also quite severe against all "shysters" who tried to deceive labor men into voting for bogus labor parties.' He concluded by saying that he was ready and willing to undergo any investigation that might be directed against him.
 A delegate of the Stephens Assembly of car drivers spoke against appointing an investigation committee, as proposed by Archibald, as 1t was evident that McKenna had written his letter in the interest of the political parties who wished to split the c. L. U.
 Delegate Lloyd wanted a searching investigation; he was not in favor of suppressing charges as had been done in 1884, when s. E. Shevitch, Geo. G. i Block and John Ritter were charged with stabbing in the back the labor can didate in the 10th Assembly District The parties backing McKenna should also be exposed.
 l Delegate Warner then moved the adoption of the following, as he said, to