The record-union., 1892-12-13
Serious
Special to the RacoRp-Ux1ox.

Serious.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. l2.-The twelfth
annual Convention of the American
Federation OF Labor convened here to-
day. The labor situation of the entire
country is to be canvassed thoroughly,
and steps looking TO the reorganization
OF the entire mode Of procedure in labor
matters will be taken.
President Gompers called the conven-
ton to order.
George Chance delivered the address of
welcome on behalf of the United Labor
League.
A Committee on Credentials was ap-
pointed and the convention took a recess
till afternoon.
Al the afternoon session the delegates
were entertained for half a hour by John
Swinton the New York Journalist, in a
savage attack on "Black-legging Pinker-
tonism and Trickery." "rhe labor of
the country" he said, ''has been paid
millions of dollars in this city which it
would surely have lost without the help
of striking brethren at different points,"
ne SlGdlAtA tCACiuNACI viii al appear
for the union Of all labor organizations on
fundamental principles.
The Committee on Credentials reported
sol delegates entitled to admission, and
the report was adopted.
a resolution was introduced, at the re-
quest uf Typographical Union No. l6 of
Chicago, denouncing the proposed award
ing Of the contract for the Worlds Fair
catalogue to a non-union house, and de-
nanding that the work go to a union
house, After considerable debate the
resolution was somewhat modified and
adopted.
tresident Gompers read his annual re-
port. He said, in part: Events nave
transpired on the field Of labor in the last
six months which have aroused public
attention, because the incidents connected
with them were Of more or less unusual
character. In each of these labor strug-
giles the employers, corporations, simply
made the request, and armed forces of
the state and United States were at their
bidding.
"At Coeur d Alene, at the bidding of
the mine owners, United States troops
were brought to Ceur d'Alene and the
men overaWed and subdued, the COM
manding General OF the United States
forces issuing an order that any en-
ployer who would operate the mines
with union labor would not be allowed to
continue work. a United States Judge
had issued an order prohibiting union
miners from holding meeting.
In other words, the constitutional
right of free assemblage was violated by
a United States Judge and the General of
our army by declaring and enforcing an
edict that employers shall not carry on
business because they dared to employ
union men. Acting Judges and officers
OF the nited States had hagrantly vio-
lated the law, and | believe it is our duty
to demand that the Congress OF the L United
States institute IN Investigation.
''lt is plainly evident that the militia of
our several States are now never util-
led except for purposes Of ostentatious
show or as an element in labor struggles
There IS not even pretense that they
should be what they were originally de-
signed for. Instead of being a popular
organization in defense OF homes and fire.
sides, it is detected into a machine of
monopolistic oppression against labor.
The tOilers need al this time answer with
bitterness and vindictiVeneSS the on
pTessors of organization.
"With the object of financial aid in
view, December 18th, this year, has been
designated as Homestead Day. and all
are requested to contribute portion of
their earnings of that day for the purpose
stated. 1t is idle to say that because we
were not entirely successful in the enforce
ment of the eight-hour movement for all
labors IN the past, ii is useless for us to
sgain make an effort to establish limta-
tion Of the daily hours of labor. There
can be no question but that unrestricted
immigration is working a great injury to
the people Of our country.
IN Notwithstanding our petition and pro-
test, Congress has practically closed the
Worlds Fair upon the day most readily
al the disposition Of workers. We should
urge Congress to repeal it.
~,
sides to the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
p&ny, and incorporated provision that
seamen employed by the company should
be American citizens. The company in
question has since violated the provisions
OF the law by employing Chinese sailors
l would recommend the convention enter
its most emphatic protest against sup
planting our American sailors by Chi
nese, and call upon the President of the
nlted States to either compel the COM
pany in question to abide by the pro
visions OF the law, or withdraw the sub
sidy grsnted.
In obedience to the unanimously
adopted instructions, the counter PROPOSE
tlons 10 those submitted by the knights
OF Labor were submitted to the general
officers of that order. The officers an
swer was discourteous and insolent.
Since then we have heard nothing in ref
ereuce to the natter"
The report OF Secretary Evans was then
submitted. Evans said: During the
year commencing November l, IS9i. and
ending October 81, 1892, III charters were
issued to National Unions, making a TO-
tai Of 2S5 for the year. National Unions
affiliated also received through the office
OF the American Federation Of Labor 81
charter applications"
In a comparative statement as to the re-
ceipts and expenses, he said the receipts
for the last year were S25, 500, and the ex-
penditures SlS,3 ,324, as compared with
81, ,346 received the year before, and SI3, ,l9O
expended.
The convention then adjourned until
tomorrow.
THAT POISONING PLOT STORY.
Olncers OF the Anal gamated Associa-
Jion saw 1t Ia Preposterous.