New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-13
WORKINGMEN IN SESSION.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN FED.
ERATICN OF LABOR.
RESOLUTIONS REGARDING THE WORLDS FAIR
CATALOGUE - REPORTS OF THE
OFFICERS READ

OFFICERS READ
Philadelphia, Dec 12.-President Samuel Gompers
opened the twelfth annual session OF the American
Federation Of Labor in Independence Hall this
ing. An address OF welcome In behalf OF the United
Labor League, OF this city, delivered by George
Chance OF Typographical Union No. @ in which he
said "Measured by the wealth that has gathered
Pennsylvania is great, prosperous and powerful con
trasted with the condition Of the producers OF that
wealth. the State Is poor indeed have no hesitancy
In saying that the laws Of the nation and the State
are partly responsible for this condition OF AFFAIRS
Trusts have been legalzed and fostered, while soul
corporations and gigantic plants are the especial
wards of the State laws passed for the benefit OF the
masses are declared unconstitutional or decisions given
that render their provisions nugatory' 1T Is sd that
the blood of the martyrs was the seed OF the church
II is possible that through the blood OF the men who
died on the banks OF the MonOngahela last July may
come the realization OF the true condition OF affairs
and that the legislation Of the future Will be In favor
Of the masses rather than for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
the few"
President Gompers replied briefly for the Federation
thanking the laborng men OF Philadelphia for their
welcome and for the admonons that had been given.
1t Is lamentabc.' he declared, mat Judges shou
stoop so low 10 arrive at such dcspcabe ends rs has
been witnessed recently in Pennsylvania lie as
cribed these wrongs to two causes Inc comparative
lack of organization among the laboring men Of the
ship first and to their class interests next.
The most striking figure In the hall was ex-Prcsi-
dent Weihe of the Amalgamatcd Association OF Iron
and steel Workers. W. A. Carney, his successor also
came In for O share Of attention, as did all the men
who were engaged In the Homestead fight, Who oc-
cuped seats together close to the presidents DESK
A portion Of Thursdays session will be devoted To the
consideration of that great conflict. and means VIII DO
devised for the relief of the men who have been
thrown ont OF work by the strike
At the afternoon session the delegates were enter
talned for half an hour by John Swinton, the New
York Journalist In savage attack on "Biachleeghs'
l1nkertoIism and Trckcry.' Mr.. Swlnion declared
he was not discouraged by the abandonment OF strikes
mt Homestead Buffalo. Ceuer dAcnc. New-oreans
and other places In the last year These efforts he
asserted had the effect Of checking aggression on
the workingmen. "The labor OF the country he
continued. has been paid millions OF dollars ths year
which 1t would surely have lost without the hep OF
these striking brethren. Every man disabled In these
wars of labor should be remembered and honored Tor
his services as lie VINO draws MS ua''S uo'c Vi i'
duty In the camp
The Committee on Credentials reporter clsh'y'onc
delegates entitled 10 admission.
Resolutions were introduced the request OF Typo
graphical Union No 16 Of Chicago. denouncing the
proposed awarding OF the contract for the Worlds Fair
catalogue to Il non-union publishing house. and de-
mandng that the work be given to union concern.
II was stated that the printers OF Chicago had sub
scribed 100000 toward the Fair, under the belief
that 1t would be OF great benefit TO labor Several
speakers urged the proposition.
The Chicago men made determined effort 10 get
the resolutions through tho convention Immediately
There was delay and reference 10 committee now
ever The committee reported fnvorably on The result
lion with some modification, expressing nlendshp LOT
the Fair An amendment offered substituting a
request that the work be given 10 fair shop m
stead OF using words union shop. Although
favored BY the committee and typographical delegates
this amendment defeated. The solutions were
then passed ~
PRESIDENT Gompers read his annual report. lie re
viewed the labor troubles Of the year suggested Con
gross onal Inve Cation OF the Occur Aene trOnbc.
OF the militia. lie said We must cndcaNOr to bring
back the militia Of several states 70 again be
como the popular military organization OF the masses.
with the election Of officers by the men or. falling in
that, organizations Will he compelled 10 declare
thst membership In labor organization and the
militia at ard the same time is Inconsistent ana
Incompatible lie urged organization and renewed
tion for the elehthOur day, and against unrestricted
The report Of the secretary, Christopher Evans was
IL