New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-15
THE FEDERATION or LABOR.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION
GROWTH OF THE ORGANIZATION.
Birmingham, Ala Dec. 14.-The American Fedora
ton OF Labor assembled in eleventh annual session
ut Erswells Hall this morning. The session was
devoted to prelmlnarles. Governor Jones' who is In
the city, made the opening address of welcome on
behalf Of the State. Mayor Lane welcomed the Feder
ton on behalf Of the city S. r. Freeman, delegate
from Birmingham made the speech Of welcome for the
organized wOrkingmen OF Alabama. President Com
pers responded briefly. committee credentials
then appointed.
President Gompers in his address of welcome said
this was the largest convention Of the Federation in
its history. The growth Of the organization during
the last year was phenomenal, and the delegates
before him represented more than 100000 organized
laborers Much however, as had been accomplished
In the past, much more still remained to he done In
the future. Continuing, he said
1t should be effort to make each succeeding
convention Of the American Federation OF Labor an
Improvement on the preceding one, both In numbers
and intelligence keeping pace with the ever Increasing
intelligence and pressing demands OF the masses ana
the DEVELOPMENT Of the industries OF our country. On
every hand find organization and combination on the
part of those who control the wealth and using
their possessions to crush out the liberties, 10 ste
the voice to perver the rights Of the toing masses
These combinations can only successfully be copSd
wage Working Classes Of our Country The whole
cause of humanity appeals to US to be true to the
contest for reform, justice and right.
At the conclusion OF the Presidents address, the
convention went into executive session, and the doors
were closed. General Secretary Chris Evans pre-
sented his annual financial report. The report SAID
that during the term ending October 81. 1871, "a"
charters had been issued TO unions as follows
Arkansas 8; Connecticut. q Colorado, District OF
Columbia, Q Georgia, 81 Illinois, Is; Indiana 20 )
Iowa, 9; Kansas, .: Kentucky, 2 Louisiana, .
Massassachusetts 9; Michigan, 81; Missouri, Q; MIN
nessota a Mississippi, Z Maine, ,; Montana, New
York, 81; NewJersey, 81 Mexico, 3; Ohio, % .
Pennsylvania, 49, Rhode Island. / Tennessee, =
Texas Virginia p Wisconsin Washington HrsGfna 70
ten National unions, making total Of So9 az, during
cepts OF the year had been SCI 34G and the total ex
penditures had been 49, 1876, leaving Il balance
81 sc 1876 OF the total expenditures nearly $1,000
represent.d and donations to organizations on
strike The statement OF expenditures showed that
the total OUTLAY for salaries was only 81 900.
Al Holly springs, Miss. yesterday the Chicago
delegation stopped to change railroads for Biz
mlneiam. Richard Braunsing. delegate Of the Fur
rituse Workers OF Chicago bears close resemblance
In face and form to John L. sullivan, for whom there
seems to be q warrant IN that state The local at-
thOrtles made mistake and arrested Braunsng for
sullivan. The entire population turned out to the
courthouse 20 view the supposed puglis, and II took
Braunsng three hours to explain. Every apology was
made ald the delegation came through with no hard
feeling.