Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-17
HELP FOR PRINTERS.
The Federation to Battle for Them
Before the Supreme Court
A REDHOT FIGHT AT BIRMINGHAM.
Doherty, of Pittsburg, Leads the Contest for
His TOwnsmen.
A VICTORY AGAINST THE OFFICIALS
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH

= BIRMINGHAM, ALA, Dec. 16.-The de-
bate on the resolutions to help the Pitts
burg Typographical Union in their legal
fight was the iveliest that has animated
the session of the. Federation Of Labor.
Doherty, of Pittsburg, opened the fight
against the minority report by saying that
it made no difference whether one cent was
donated by the Federation to the Pittsburg
strikers; that the legal proceedings would
be prosecuted just the same. He then sald:
"We do not want any sympathy; if you
do anything for us, let it be something prac-
teal and let that be the passage OF the
majority report. reiterate, we don't want
your sympathy unless you accompany 1t
with some tangible assistance.
= In answer to the previous argum ent, 2.
j. Mcclure, the Vice President, arose and
in five minutes speech, supported the
substitute, saying that the Typographical
Union was one of the strongest organized
labor bodies in the Union, and that il they
were not financially able to prosecute their
own local legal proceedings, it was not the
fault of the American Federation of Labor.
The Political Duties of Workmen.
If these obnoxious laws to labor organiza-
tions existed in Pennsylvania the labor men
should use their ballots in placing men IN
position to erase them from tine statute
books He concluded:
am from Pennsylvania and in conclusion
l say, heap agony upon agony upon the
laborihg men of that State until they learn
to use their ballots to further their own in
terests ana discontinue this countenance OF
capitalistlc power. In this particular case
there is no violation of the conspiracy laws,
and ii there has been, then the $1,000 donated
is so much for wind.
He also advised that the quickest way for
the workingman to secure his rights was to
destroy the too great preponderance OF any
political party. A transfer of 5000 ballots
from the dominant party in Pennsylvania
to the minority party would procure any
labor. The overwhelming vote by which
the appropriation was made looks like re-
buke to the official heads of the Federation,
who opposed it.
The following is the majority report,
which is signed by Howard l.. Daley, Jerry
Doherty and George E. Mcneil.
In Favor of the Pittsburg Printers.
WHEREAS, A court of Pennsylvania has, in
the judgment of this convention, exceeded
its authority and violated Il principle of jus
tice in enjoining union printers, engaged in
q contest to maintain and defend their in
terest as wageworkers, who have committed
no act involving breach of the peace or
violation of law, and
Whereas In the Judgment of this conven-
ton, the court in this case exceeded its
power and jurisdiction which, if allowed to
stand unchallenged. will be a constant men
ace to the advancement and progress of
wageworkers as class and the people as q
whole: therefore, be it
Resolved, That the American Federation
of Labor, in convention assembled do
hereby pronounce the edlct OF said court
to be an unjustifiaDle and an Illegal inter-
ference with the liberties guaranteed in the
bill of rights.
Resolved. That we hereby direct the Ex-
ecutive Council of the American Federation
of Labor to proceed to challenge the order
Of the conrt, by carrying the case to the
highest tribunal in the land: and the Execu-
tive Council is hereby empowered and
directed to expend sum not exceeding
s3, COO in the prosecution of the case referred
to, in order that Justice may be done to the
wageworkers and the rights of the people
upheld.
Resolved That in the event that the case
is not carried up to the highest courts tho
Executive Council may use such part or the
whole of the above named sum to test the
of the conspiracy laws. or
Of any proceedings in equity against affilia- |
Resolved, That we call upon the affiliated
unions to cooperate with the Executive
Council of the American Federation in their |
york.
The Other Side of the Case.
Representative Shields, of the Typo
graphical Union, moved its adoption, but
litter some discussion Committeeman Valesh |
vas permitted to read the minority report,
Is follows:
WHEREAS, Conspiracy laws appear on the |
statutes of many States, and of late years it |
appears evident that the courts persistently |
them in such a manner as to annul |
he most law-abiding efforts of labor organ |
cations for betterment of conditions; and |
Whereas, ENJOYMENT proceedings and |
similar tactics are now employed to oppose
strikes rather than the former methods OF |
physical force, to suppress laborers; and
Whereas, This perversion of the courts is
most dangerous menace to the very exist
,nce of labor organizations, because it is
,vident that there is O concerted plan to
make the enforcement of conspiracy laws
IN excuse for draining our treasures and
erroriZing our members so that the eff1ci-
,ncy of the organizations will be de-
troyed,
Resolved, That the American Federation
# Labor hereby enters u solemn and en-
,batic protest against such warranted |
Proceedings, and the Executive Board are
to take steps for the repeal of
uch laws, and that it exercise its discretion
n aiding unions in fighting enjoinment pro-
eedings where the courts have encroached
Ipon the rights of labor organizations
Minated WIFI the Anierican feoeratloh Oh
-aoor.
After a long discussion, in which Vice
President Mcclure led the opposition to
he ma jorty report, that report was over
Shelmingly adopted.
o,...,: