St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-17
MILITIA IN STRIKES.
This Subject Discussed in the Con-
yention of the American
Federation of Labor.
Radical Recommendations of the
Committee Toned Down
and Passed.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16. - At this
Federation of Labor convention the
proposition to hold labor congress
during the worlds fair came up in the
nature Of unfinished business. After
considerable discussion the proposition
was defeated by an overwhelm-
ing vote. Other Recommended tions
in the presidents report were approved,
including the causes relating to the
woman organizer, whose work was COM
plimented, and relating to Labor day.
A resolution was recommended that
stirred up lively debate. 1t related to
the action of the president and eXecu-
tive council requesting conference with
the Knights of Labor unions. The
many attacks Of the Knights of Labor
against trades unions. especially OF the
coal miners and shoemakers', were de-
plored. 1t was said that all efforts to
heal the breach while they were on the
attack and the Federation on the de-
fensive would only be waste of time.
The committee recommended that the
highest duty Of the Federation was to
defend unions selected by the knights
of Labor for attack, and that the eXecu-
tive committee take such action as will
enforce this idea" The recommends
ton of the committee was finally
adopted,
The special committee on militia in
strikes then reported. 1t said the
powers designed to rest with the peo-
pie. as expressed in the national and
state governments, were being diverted
from the purposes of their authors, and
that the masses have lost the powers
guaranteed them. "Unless halt is
called it will not be long before liberty
gives way TO deSpotiSm. Since the re-
cent uses to which troops have been
subjected have been brought about by
allowing the people unchallenged to
I surrender their powers, we therefore
believe that herein is the vital point OF
our grievances"
The following resolutions were then
prepared: Sd
"Thdt the American Federation of
Labor and affiliated bodies demand of
their respective legislators the enact
ment OF laws embracing one of the fol-
lowing propositions: First, they shall
create board of commissioners, to be
selected by the people. and to consist Of
sional districts in the state. The COM
mittee only shall have the power to
call out the militia, after investigation
of the labor difficulties. in conjunction
with the governor. Second, that in case
of labor difficulties 1t shall be unlawful
for the governor to call out the militia
for the suppression of the same except
upon petition signed by at least one
fourth of the qualified voters Of the
county wherein the trouble may exist.
We further recommend as remedy for
the employment of Plnkerton or other
armed forces that we demand the enact
ment of laws by the several states of the
Union prohibiting non-reSidentS from
serving as peace officers"
1t was also recommended that the
federation refuse under any circum-
stances TO permit any member to enlist
under any circumstances In the Ma
tional Guard, and that the members now
enlisted withdraw as soon as they can
legally do SO, unless one or the other of
the propositions herein proposed be en-
bodied in the state laws. After consid-
cradle discussion the recommendations
of the committee were stricken out and a
clause adopted instead favoring the sup
port of labor representation in the adj
ministrative and legislative departments
of the national and state governments,
and advising members of the federation
to see that the friends Of labor command
the militia rather than the friends Of
capital. The convention then adjourned
for the day.