St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-18
GOMPERS REELECTED.
Nearly All the Old officers of the
American Federation of Labor
Retained.
Numerous Resolutions Passed, and
Chicago Chosen as the Next
Meeting Place.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17.-The con
vention of American Federation of
Labor was called together at O'Clock
this morning. Resolutions were adopted
calling on all local unions affiliated with
the federation to join the central labor
bodies holding charters from the feder-
alton; condemning the Rock ISL
and railroad system for requir-
ing its telegraph operators to withdraw
from their organization; asking that sail
ors be included under the provisions OF
the alien contract law; cOndemning the
system of advance wages to sailors
favoring changes in the patent laws, so
that inventors will receive direct re-
ward; condemning the Baron Hirsch
fund and its charitably assisted patients,
and demanding restriction OF lmmlgra-
ton; condemning the system COMPEL
ing the walters to shave off their NOUS
taches and favoring the eight-hour sys-
tenn A resolution was unanimously
adopted asking clemency for the I'M
prsoned Chicago anarchists Neebe,
Fielden and Schwab.
Delegate Morgan, of Chicago, intro
duced substitute for resolution ia
voring government control of telegraph
and telephone lines. 1t was passed
with an amendment favOring govern
ment control of railroads. Differences
between the socialists and autOnOmiStS
were aired when resolution was re
ported asking congress either to pass
legislation compelling the adjustment
OF labor disputes by arbitration,
or the submission of constitutional
amendment permitting such legis-
lation. President Gompers and others
argued that compulsory arbitration
might prove dangerous weapon
against labor interests should it fall
into the hands OF capital. The question
was finally settled by the adoption
of a substitute, emphatically APP
proving the principle of arbitra-
ton, but recognizing its impotency
where the workers involved are
not fully organized. The president was
instructed TO visit the coming national
conventions of machinists for the pur-
pose of endeavoring to harmonic the
two conflicting bodies which are divided
by the recognition of color line III one
OF them.
The annual election of officers was
called for in the afternoon as the reg
ular order; but the federation first de-
sired to vote OH the amount of the sal
aries paid. President Gompers' sal
airy was increased from $1,000 to
$500 per annum. Before pro-
ceeding further. resolutions were
adopted recommending that chiefs
and superintendent Of government
bureaus be selected from the trade in
which the skilled workmen employed
in the bureau are engaged, favoring
municipal, state and national civil serv-
ice reform; favoring free and compul-
sorry education. and instructing the eX-
ecutive council to prepare bill to that
effect. The salary of the secretary was
increased from $1,000 to $1,000, and NOM
nations were stopped. There was no OPP
position to President GomperS' re-
election, and the election was uDani
nous. Christopher Evans was in like
manner reelected secretary. John B.
Lennon was reelected treasurer. j. P.
Mcguire was elected vice president. For
second vice president William a, Car
ney, of Pittsburg, who took an active
part in the Homestead troubles, was
elected.
A large number Of boycots were IN
dorsed by the committee to whom they
had been referred, together with re-
commentator that as the boycott was
being made Ineffective by indiserlmine
ate use, that hereafter none be approved
Annless requested under seal Of an af6k