The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-07

De urged 10 JOIN mixed assemblies OF the
Knights of Labor. This proposition was
also rejected and the conference was at an
end. Any other termination of the confer
ence could scarcely have been looked for.
1--WE do not see," said President Com
pers, "how the tinker or the tailor can sue
cessfully regulate. the trade affairs or dis
putes of the butcher or the baker. The
American Federation of Labor has made it
the cardinal principle to declare. maintain
and secure the autonomy of every trade
and labor union in the exercise of its right
To regulate the matters connected with its
own business, uninterfered with by any
supreme grand or mysterious power.
The most potent factors in maintaining
and perpetuating the Federation are the
very slight cords that bind the organiza-
lions to it. Its officers, ii disposed TO be
ic'atorial, would soon find few or none to
dictate to. We act upon the principle that
the whole are wiser than any one and that
democracy stands against autocracy as the
best form of government, industriaily as
well as politically"
The American Federation of Labor, in
fact, seemed TO be based on the principle of
the American federation OF states. Amer
icanism and patriotism are, TO the most
casual observer, among the leading altri-
butes of the order. should you have occa-
sion TO visit the modest New York head
quarters OF the order IN Clinton Place, you
will see conspicuously displayed on the
wall, as you enter the front room, fine
stsei portrait OF George Washington. In
President Gompers' private room, hanging
lust above his desk. Is a steel engraving OF
Trumbuli's Declaration Of lndepend-
ence." These little surface Indications
NAV be of interest To sucn wiliuny unin-
formed persons as stil persist in believing
that labor reformers are of necessity IN
patriotic.
The American Federation OF Labor never
once lost sight OF the position 1t had taken
in favor of tue eight-hour day for working
men, anu at the ninth convention, held III
Boston last year, that position was re-
affirmed. Then il VAS decided that the
time for action was ripe. Last March the
executive council, consisting ot William
Martin. p. j. Mcclure, Henry Emerich,
Chris Evans and Samuel Gompers. met
and selected the United brotherhood OF
Carpenters and Joiners OF America TO lead
IN making the demand for the enforce
ment OF the eight.hour rule The demand
was formally made in May. and the re-
suit is still fresh IN the memory OF every
one who has paid The slightest attention 30
labor matters. Within few weeks g. 900
men secured the eight-hour day. and 81.
600 more secured 3 reduction of from ten
TO nine hours, viii e the trades generally
fel, the beneficial effect OF the victory thus
suaeoily gained. II Is the intention of the
federation to place one Trade after another
INTO the van of the conflict until ali shall
have obtained the long sought eight hours.
"E cht hours" said President Gompers.
lis our watchword for today. Is viii be
fewer nours OF labor, ii need be, iomor-
row. They portend higher wages. steaGier
endowment anu work for thousands Who
are nov unemployed"
Samuel Gompers, who was born in Lon
don. England, IN 1880, was compelled.
through the poverty OF his parents. TO leave
seboo. and work ia a factory before ne was
eleven wears old. lie continued his studies
in = night school. however, and when he
lrft stood highest in MS class. he lett the
factory T. WORK st the shoe trade, nat was
soon aflerwArd apprenticed 10 cigar
maker. When, in 1853 be came 10 this
eountry boy of thirteen he was already
skilled iourneyman. aud, as there were no
age restrictions then, he 10 ned cigar
makers union which had just been organ
tred and he has been ever since union
worsinynlan. He declined the presi-
dency OF tae Cigar makers international
rn,on in 1877, and has since de-
el,ned TO run for political office.
He was the tirst vice-president OF