The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-13
TO ASSEMBLE At BUTTE.
The Organized Labor Of Montana
will Meet in Convention
To-day.
Two Helena Men Who Are Men.
toned a. Available Candidates
For CONGRESSMAN.
The Trades and Labor Assembly Of Helens
Sends Delegates to the Butte
Convention.

The Trades and Labor Assembly OF Helena
Sends Delegates to the Butte
Convention.
The first political convention Of labor
representatives in Montna will b called
to order this afternoon at Butte
The subject of the convention il
to discuss the advisability of nom
nominating labor candidate for represen-
tative in congress, and to draw up plat
form setting forth the principles OF the
party. Whether candidate will be named
or action on this subject be postponed till
after the democratic and republican con-
ventions, has been for the past few weeks
= much discussed question among those
interested in the matter. Outside Of few
who aspire to leadership there is strong
feeling that no nomination should be made
by the present convention for congress;
that tho labor party, as political organi-
zation, is yet in its infancy in Montana;
that organized labor should wait until each
big party names its candidate; il either
party dominates q man who is the friend
and champion Of corporations, tho enemy
or lukewarm friend of labor, then let the
labor party hold another CONVENTION and
either endorse the opposition candidate, OF
If there il no choice between the republican
and democratic candidates, nominate
simon-pure labor candidate. These men
argue that the best thing to do
now Is to adopt q platform GOV
ering not only national but also state
- osSn - thu =
ular parties to aid the labor party in ita
Just demands. The movement this yea!
they mean to mako nucleus for grand
rally two years hence, when, they contend,
labor will be more thoroughly organised in
Montana, and in 1892 they will be able to
nominate an entire state ticket with more
chance of success.
Those in favor Of making q nomination fol
congress this year, while not sanguine OF
success, etill believe it would have the effect
of drawing out the full labor vote and
prove to each of the old parties how strong
the labor vote is. This proven, they
contend that two years hence republicans
ing men for office.
In a conversation yesterday with one OF
the best posted members of the labor party
he said he believed his associates were mis-.
taken in placing the labor vote of the state
at 10000; that from investigations he had
made, he was positive it would not exceed
5000. OF course, this only includes those
support of labor candidate could be
counted on with some certainty. The Or
binary labo1ers and men who work by the
day, not members of unions, are probably
as many more, but they cannot be counted
on to vote for labor candidate because he
is such.
The Butte convention is important in
~, h4xv ho Huorlx If nizQkinr ie
progressing among the trades in Montana.
Eight years ago there were but three labor
unions in Montana-typographic unions
at Butte and Helena, with total member.
ship of about thirty-fve. and the miners
union at Butte. Helena has kept in the
lead in the matter Of organization, and to
day there are, in addition to the typograph
ical union, with about seventy-fve mem
bers, two assemblies of the Knights Of
Labor, with probably $50 members. bar
bers' union, salesmen's, tailors', plasters'
carpenters, the strongest numerically
stonemasons', granite cutters and painters
and decorators. These unions have organ
which meets twice month. and is com
posed of three delegates from each of tn,
unions, Butte has the miners union, on,
of the most powerful, financially and mum
erically, in the west, besides strong typo
graphical union and organizations of othe
trades, with a trades assembly. There ar
members of the miners union in nearly al
the important camps in the state, the print
| ers have union in every town in which ,
daily paper is published, and the carpenter
and pIasterers also reach out all over Mon
tana.
A realization of their present and pros
pective strength is just dawning on thes
the ballot box to obtain q hearing IN TIL
councils of state and nation. And there i
no lack Of candidates anxious to make tn
race and represent the labor party THU
year in congress or in the state senate, ant
in 1892 wherever the party may see fit t.
put them. Helena will furnish at least tw.
candidates for the convention Tsn lion. in case !
and just now the most prominent Ia VIM
Lorey, an employing house and sigl
painter. The other is +. NJ. Tiff, who i
now publishing the Helena Graphic for tn
labor party in Helena. Lorey ID an old
timer and Iliff new conner. but neithe
seems to have the enthusiastic support o
Boulder, the champion Of the single ia:
idea, is also candidate. He has recent
made q visit to both Butte and Helena il
the interest Of his candidacy, and his name
will undoubtedly figure prominently in thu
convention. Tho objection to Kennedy i
Helena seems 70 lie in the fact that g b
/ Ian 0AnAucN VIVA OOV0 VAAo OAA bVAASsooA koA
ties and has made many bitter enemies i
both camps, his nomination by the labo
party would be a serious blunder.
Thep Butte also will have two and prof.
ably three candidates. just now there is
great deal of, canvassing going on in th
silver camp, the object being to unite o
one man and poll the full strength Of tn
west side for him. A west side candidat
with Q good record will be satisfactory t
the maiority of the party in Helena.
The delegates from Helena. Who leave fo
Butte on this mornings train, are: Dele
gate large President Robinson. of tn
carpenteTs union; Iliff, topographic.
knights Of Labor. a926, Lorey; BARRIERS
plasterers', McLaughlin; carpenters, Mi
Guthrie. These delegates 60 as represents
tives from the Trades and Labor assembl,
and not az delegates from their variou
unions.
Herbert Nicholson 4 Co, limited. deliver d,
oordWOod promptly to any part OF the city.
W. G. r. u, Conveation.
Tho seventh annual meeting of the Nor
tana Woman's Christian Temperance u
ion eonvsnss at Livingston August 96. q
%. Railroads odsr one and one-6fth rat
to delegates paying full fare going and pr,
senting certificate from the convention Il
return. A state gold medal contest will /
one of the interesting features. Childre
desiring to compete should apply at ono
to Rev. II. ]. Hall, Bozeman.