The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-15
LABOR'S TRIBUTE
TO THE CHIEF.
President G0mpers H0nored at
W80dWard's Gardens.
An Immense Attendance and an Interchange
of Compliments : Presentation of
Medal-A Substantial Benefit.

Woodward's Gardens have held many notable
gatherings in their day, but they have seldom
contained larger or more enthusiastic throng
than the one that attended the reception and
ball rendered by the Federated Trades 10 Presi-
dent GOmpsrs last evening.
1t was great crowd. Before the doors were
opened the holders OF tickets were waiting in
eager expectancy. and they kept arriving In a
steady stream. Every car added It's quota TO the
throng that poured into the grounds and as laie
as IL O'Clock found the bone and sinew OF the
city still streaming i'll.
1t was a merry crowd, too, bent on enjoying
itself and ON making the most Of tile occasion
out OF the excellent arrangements which the
pains,aking work OF the various committees had
perfected. There was, perhaps. an additional
zest i'll the feeling that they we're holding out
helping hand TO their striking fellow workmeD,
the iron molders TO whose benefit the proceeds
of the ball will be given.
Judging from the numbers present last night
the bail VIII prove an expression OF substantial
sympathy and encouragement that will prove OF
solid beneft 10 the beneIciarits
IN THE BALLROOM.
No attempt had been made TO decorate the
Pavilion. Ii was labor that was taking Its re-
taxation from The tolls OF the week, and dong
honor 10 its chief; and II was felt no doubt that
1t WAS more IN accordance with the plain, simple
dignity of the worker 10 leave the hall bare OF
Haunting streamers and gaudy forai decOra-
ions
The floor itself was crowded with the dancers
perhaps uneomfortably So. though this Is a
tribute 10 the success of the ell tertalnment. But
II dancing was difficult this was no drawback 10
the general meriimenr Frequent peais OF
laughter fose on The air as The couples whlred
around 10 Tbs soft strains OF the waltz, or threw
themselves heart ana soul into the laucers
rhoroughness In enjoying themselves was the
main characteristics of the dancers. Formally
WAS at discount and hearty go0d-fellowship
reigned supreme II was the sturdy artisan aud
necDanic-the backbone OF the country-and
his wife and sweetheart who were at play, and
doing his play as he does Ills work.
When the dancing tagged there were the
grounds TO turn 10. The trim-kept walks, the
sbadOwy trees and bushes, the sblmmering re-
Elections ON the lakes. subdued by the sOfness Of
the electric light. aud the musical plash OF the
fountains, formed an attractive combination.
The various hidden books and corners were
filled with occupants drinking In the cool night
air after the heat of the ballroom
THE OPENING EXERCISES.
Shortly after 8 O'Clock the waiting thousands
who, taking advantage OF the delighlIul weather,
hao been enjoying promenade IN the gardens
were summoned 10 the ballroom by lie opening
notes Of The overture. As soon as the selection
had been played 10 It's end by the orchestra,
President Thurman stepped inward upon the
stage and made an address oil welcome III very
pleasant aud effective vein.
In introducing lie guest of the evening he paid
Mr. Gumpers many glowing tributes, told OF his
untiring exerlious IN behalf OF Tie worker and
the good that tile organization, OF which lie is
the head has done. Then tuning TO the dstn-
some gold medal amid The plaudlts OF the I'M
menSe aSSeinDlige.
The medal, Which is the size of a $50 piece. is
surrounded by all endless chain To represent The
federation OF the various unions; through Its
center runs bar of California quartz, upon
which Two gold bands inscribed East and
west" emblemaiic OF the friendship and broth.
ery love which unite The aboiers OF he Pacific
ana Atlantic coasts in The bonds of fellowship.
Tie medal is suspended from bar, upon
which Is The single word President" while the
medal itself bears lie legend Samuel Gompers.
American Federation of Labor" On the reverse
is the inscription presented by the Council OF
Federated Trades OF the Pacific Coast"
PRESIDENT GoAIPERs REMARKS.
Aftes the applause had subsidized the recipient
OF The pretty compliment turned to the audience
and expressed the thanks lie felt for the great
and unexpected honor which had been done
him. The handsome token OF tbeI esteem he
promised to treasure forever, though lie could
not accept the compliments paid him as purely
personal, but rather as The representative OF the
great and growing organization OF federated
labor, an organization so broad IN It's platform
that the most conservative as well as the most
radical can stand upon IL.
Addressing himself to local matters, the
speaker expressed bis sympathy for The striking
iron. molders, and called upon all present 10 help
sustain them. He also referred to the Yelling
ton coal boycott, and paraphrasing Dean Swifrs
advice 10 the Irish, whom he told to pati OniZe
England for everything but her coal. Mr.. Com
pers advised his hearers TO patfOnlZe Dunsnulr
& Co. for everything but their black Ola
monds."
Mr.. Gompers at the close OF his remarks re.
eeved perfect ovation from the assembled
guests, which lasted good hye minutes Here
the Floor committee took charge OF the bali
room, he floor was clear, d foI dancing ana I'M
medlatey the grand march formed with
President Thurman In the lead, esCorting Miss
Title Linbfldge, with about 800 couples follow
ing. President Gompefs, who IS not a dancing
man, reviewed the march from the stage, and
when dancing became general, mingled with his
friends upon The floor.
AT IL o'clock there was an intermisson for
supper, which was served in the lower nail.
The tables were nine III number, but so vast
was tile attendance that they were laid three
times over. aud the corps OF attentive walters
were kept busy IN answering the demands upon
them ill almost daybreak.
CLOSE OF THE FESTIVITIES.
AT O'Clock dancing was resumed in the ball
room, ana il was a good tour hours later before
the last polka was danced and the pleasant at
fair AT an end. Though there were some
5000 admissions al the gate this ;t Is claimed.
does not represent more than half the number OF
ticket sales, ana the sanguine oues are caleulat-
ing upon net return OF $500, which will be
handed over 10 the ITon-molders' Union for the
benefit OF its Strike Fund.
Among the prominent advocates of the work
ingman's movement in attendance were: James
II. Barry. j. V. Gator, Johu ~. Days, Charles +.
Burgman, Alfred Curtin, +. NJ. Wellin, +. ". +.
Floyd, U. A. Lewis and wife, Ii. CruthweIl Chris
j. Boyle, Charles Gambarth, Joseph Valentine
aud vile, Henry Iapsdon ana wife, james q.
Maguire, Joseph Leggett, ex- Congressman Sum-
ueT, D. RoSenbaum, L. kImmerle. NiedOrf +.
Slulfurz, E. Martin, F. Roxburgh, +. Schroeder,
L. Laumeister, f. Ofinbach and wife. j. Larsen,
j. Como. Sas Moore, L. j. Cannon, II. l. Mac
liver, Alexis Sullivan, Robert Buriwel, l. z.
StrasbuTger, I. Finnerty, James Gilleran, j.
FuruSelD.
THE COMMITTEES IN CHARGE.
To The untlriDg eXertoHs OF the following COM
mttees much of the success which attended the
gathering is due: Committee of Arrangements
Ii. KreIlOw Chairman Charles GramOarth Sec
retary), j. NJ. Crowley, U. A. Lewis, a. Sullivan,
NJ. l.. Farland, w. J. Lynch, n. l.. Wandel j.
Common, j. II. White. j. Valentine, NJ. DAVIS j.
Nealon, L. j. Cannon, c. MITCHELL Thomas
Walkenshaw and s. McGIegoT.
Floor Committee-Ro Burtwe (manager,
Joseph Walsh assistant manager, j. Strass-
burger, Luke NJ. Marisich j. s. White. p. DeIZ,
j. W. Keleher James Ryan, o. NJ. V. Roberts,
James McGlynn, w. Orr, J. +. Kirby. Ludwig
Berg, G. j. Boyle.
Reception Committee = Joseph Valentine
(Chsirmanl p. NJ. Wellin (YicePresidenp. NJ. E.
Atkins. Henry Ark, Frank Schmitz. j. j. Bar
relL ". b. Soue, ID. 0Conne, c. Meanwe
George Driscoil, w. Bailey, Walter Gon. E. Me-
Guile, j. w. Sweeney, q. Gerken j. Pushlar, NJ.
Mcdonnell, j. T. Como, I. j. Hayes, ID. Ber-
WICK, j. Grummy, j. Ii. ROxburgh, L. Finnerty,
w. Dundas, NJ. Rothschlld, NJ. Muander, +.
Schmidt, w. L. Floyd.