Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-19
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
\ Resolution Favoring Woman Suffrage
other Action of Importance.
flv telecraDh 70 tho plspatcha
fBy telegraph % the DIspatoh.i

my tttekfNpn W Ailt ttahaNt.i
BnSuwGHAS, Ala, December ls.-The
Convention Of the American Federation
of Labor adopted resolution at its morn
ing session fayoring q woman-suhrage
amendment 70 tho constitution. The conFer-
ton refused 70 adopt a resolution recommend-
ing political action on the part OF trades unions
A resolution was passed demanding That no iur-
tacr subsidy be paid tho Pacthc-Mal steamship
Company unless the company discharge all
Chinese and Jap anese IN !ts servicei also, re-
solution % amend the shipping act Of 1890 80 ~
90 make vessels liable m damages for cruelty 70
sailors az the hands Of oiilcers
AWONAS EAIsEs ROW.
Immediately after tho reading Of tho minutes
nt the afternoon session, Miss Ida NJ. Van Eaten,
representing, without a vote, the wurking-womcn
OF No" YORK, asked through p delokate ulanl- .
nous consent 70 mako statemen& as 10 the
resolution respecting the employment OF
woman organizer, which yesterday was referred
20 the incoming Executive Council. Permission
having bsen given, Miss Wax Eaten pro-
coeded 10 make q speech, In which she
dealt somewhat severely with tho delegates
who had not Decn friendly 70 her resolution, re-
ferrtng especially 20 Nice-Prosident Mc6ures
"rather brutal" conduct; 90 Delegate McNeaiFs
"sgTcastic reply" 20 ono Of her questions, ana
20 Delegate Lennon as the represenlatiye OF an
organization which was willing TO receive the
dues from women members, but unwilling TO
allow women n vote.'
THAT is false; that f. untrue anerily re-
phed Delegate Lennon, rising to his feet.
Miss Van Eaten wHs allowed 20 proceed unti
ehe was called 20 order tor reneetiOns on mem
bcrs, moro especially on NiCe-ProMdent Mc6uire.
When she had concluded her remarks Delegate
lennon rose 20 q question OF personal privilege
lie himself bad organized many Wofkng-Wc,
mems societies, for which be had never recetYeu
any pay, and hiss Van Eaten had reflected un-
justly upon his organization.
Delegate McNeall detailed what took place be-
tween himself and Miss Van Eaten when she IN
formed him that her committee had ngreed 70
~ q safsrrer. ion n
gani2er at q salary Of $1,000 year Win eG-
peuses. lie told her that he did not think the
convention would endorse the plan. 20 tar as
the question q salary was concerned Miss van
Eaten could take his place as an organizer, ana
his salary she was more than welcome 70. lie
had been an organizer for many years and had
been In receipt Of no pay for that duty
Ntcc-F-oaident Mcclure said Miss Van Eaten
had gone out of her way to attack him. lie had
ORGANIZED WOmcu's societies himself and eX-
poCted 10 organize many more. lie mentioned
more than one organization with which Mies
Van Eaten had been actively connected and
which hnd died under her minstrations. That
ended the matter.
proposition for the establishment Of an oiIl-
ciaI organ for the Federation, 70 be edited BY
the president under the direction OF tho Lxecu-
tive Council came up and was discussed by seye-
raj delegates. Tho convention by vote Of more
than two 10 one refused 70 sanction the proi
tioD.
Delegate Frank A.. Kidd. from the Committee
on Wuiss, reported uniayCrably resolution in-
troduced by Delegate Strigel, Of Detroit, pro
hibitng holders Of political oilces IRON actlng
a. organizers, and the fact was brought out that
the resolution was aimed at an Inspector OF
sidewalks In Detroit, whom Delegate GOldWater
characterized as one OF the best organizers IN
the United States. Tho convention cOncurred
IN tie unfavoraUle report Of the committee.
PRESIDENT GOMPEEs REELECTED.
The convention then proceeded 70 elect OH
GERS President GOmpers was reelected presl-
dcnt, receiving 1856 votes, against 635 Tor j..
b. Barth, OF Wheeling, and l2O for August Della
bar Of Now York. Deabar withdrew his name
before tho vote. A motion 20 make Mr..
GOmperss election unanimous was objected TO-
The other onicers are: =. j. McGuire, OF Penn
sylyania, first vice-president; W. a. Carney, OF
Ilttsburg, second Nice-president; Chris Evans,
o. New York, secretary; John Is. Lennon, OF
New lork, treasurer-an OF these being re-elec-
tons. Mr.. GOmpers has been president ONCE