Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-03-03
ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE
OF the Industrial and Allied Or
ganizations of the Country.
The beginning OF the Great Political
Revolution OF Modern Times-A
Declaration of Principles
Put Forth, Etc.


Especially Reported by Elwood s. Pefferl
ST. LOUIS, Feb. "a The conference
of the confederation of industrial organ
izations, which convened here last Mon
day, came TO an end this evening,
From its deliberations, many thousands
believe, will date the greatest political
revolution of modern times However
that may be, II is assured that the pe,o'
ple's party can enter the campaign with
additional strength and renewed life,
because of its actions.
The conference opened at 2 o'clock
Monday afternoon, in Music hall, with
nearly three thousand delegates and
visitors in attendance.
S. Fl. SniGer, of Kansas, chairman OF
the committee on arrangements, intro
duced Hon. Ben Terrell, of Texas, who
presided until n temporary chairman
was elected.
The session was formally opened with
prayer-an invocation to God TO be pres
ent and assist in the work of the con-
vention.
Judge Terrell then introduced Mr.
Cryus p. Waldridge, president of the
st. Louis city council, who, on behalf
of the city, rendered welcome to the
visiting delegater.
Following Mr., Waldridge, Mr.. Terrell
read the following address TO the con-
vention, requesting that it be referred to
the committee on platform:
0EHTLRMRN:--You are here by the authority
OF the several industrial organizations which
you have the honor to represent, and for the
purpose of comforting together without predju-
dice Of any kind, TO the end that you may agree
upon such platform of principles flor the gov
ernment of our loved and common country, as
well as secure equal justice to all, and especial
privileges to none Believing las we dol in the
fatherhood of God. and the brotherhood of man,
and considering that the interests you repre-
sent are those OF the toilcrs Of our
land, it is hoped and believed that
your deliberations will be marked
by that earnestness, fairness and manliness
which should characterize the discussion of
such interests. II is possible that the future OF
our country is In the hands of this convention
to-day. II you act wisely, believe u revolution
by the ballot attainahle and our country saved
from the fate of all nations whose financial
policy concentrated in the hands Of the few its
wealth while the many were made paupers.
The responsibility resting upon you is not
less than that of the grand old heroes and IA
theirs who signed the declaration OF independ-
ence in l776, and your country is expecting Of
right - s''O'' v '''''1S '''''
beg OF you that you viii remember that the
eyes of the toiling masses are upon you to-day,
and they are expecting second declaration of
Independence. l pray God you may be able to
rise above all party sectional prejudices lay
srs,ffa a
duty like men worthy Of the trust conaded to
you by those whose cause is just
In view OF the depressed condition Of labor
and the absolute necessity for unity of action,
hopo the convention will be conservative and
Just in its demands. Let US not attempt
too much. There is much truth in the
saying that you can unite many on few
things, and but few on many i would there
fore, advise that you coniine your de-
mands 70 land, transportation, taxation and
money, believing that when conditions are so
changed that men can enjoy the fruit Of their
labor, they viii find more time and inclination
10 attend TO those moral reforms so much
needed and so earnestly desired by all who love
humanity.
The question Of who shall own our lands Is
TO ask who shall own the people, for these who
swn the land own the people, so if we would be
troe we must continue to own our lands. There
" no escape from this truism. 1t has held good
tince history began, and the continuance of
popular government depends upon the owner
ship of our lands by the masses. for when the
monopoly Of the land is accomplished, slavery
Tor the masses begins If, gentlemen. you can
prevent the condition of landlord and tenant
irom obtaining in this country you will deserve
the gratitude Of future generations.
Lines Of communication and transportation
are for public use, and should be controlci by
the government so as TO prevent abuses Their
power to fix prices and rob labor is too great to
be trusted TO corporations without control, but
the control Of government should be TO prevent
abuse, and not to unduly burden or hamper
them. There can be no antagonism between
capital invested in them and the true interests
of labor, unless abuses are practiced. Govern
ment ownership lat a fair valuel is mere lust
than such control as would destroy values and
prevent the return Of fair dividends on their
actual capital invested
The injustice done through the inequality Of
the laws controlling the taxation are a shame to
any government, and demand radical changes
All wealth should bear its equal part in support
Of government, and all indirect taxation should
be avoided as much as possible and the luxuries
Of life. not the necessities. should bear them
II seems that all our great statesmen. whose
names are revercd to-day for their integrity
love Of country and statcsmanship, have
all feared and opposed the power Of
money to rob and oppress the peo-
pie jefferson Clay, Calhoun Web
ster, Adams, Lincoln, with others have raised
their voices in warning and pointing out the
danger Of allowing money to become the mas
ter instead OF the servant Of tho people
radical change in the financial policy Of the
government is a necessity and the country ex-
poets, and will sustain, such demand as will
forever destroy the power Of money TO op-
press.
=. d. ,,-;+h ,,,,,.h ,,io..,.-. A.. -
this convention ready for the transaction Of
business. and again allow me to hope that
with clean hands and pure hearts you viii do
your whole duty, and may the Divine Master
guide you.
Col. L. /. Polk delivered the first re-
sponse to the address of welcome. He
grateful appreciation for the
generous welcome accorded the dele
gates by St Loris, and spoke glowing
ly of the city ard its prospects. He
stated that the convention was com
posed of those who fed, clothed and
housed the people of the land; that
they represented the uncrowned kings
Of America, and that they should feel
the weight of the responsibility resting
upon them. In answer to his own in
1uiry. "Why are we here?" the speaker
stated as one reason that on the |
boards Of exchange in Wall street |
money could be gotten for ~ per cent,
but the borrower saw money posted in |
ST. Louis, Milwaukee and in the south |
and west at u per cent Another rea-
son was that the farmers own but 90 |
per cent. Of the wealth of the |
and pay so per cent |
IF the taxes. He said that the |
northwest the west and the south /
should lock hands. aud marching like /
} great host TO the ballot-box. get con-
.rol of the government. "The great /
question with me-" said the speaker,
is not whether the democratic or re-
publican party or third party shall con-
.rol this country, but that it shall be
by the northwest, west
md south This control would bring
IS back 70 the principles Of our fore
athers. Both old parties must have
'een approached and petitioned. and
his has been the invariable answer:
Go home. work more, and keep out of
,olitics.- They did not deny that we
leeded relief, and here latterly con-
-ress has entertained our complaints in
resolution which expresses sympathy
- r,r