The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-17
CAN JOIN THE MILITIA.


PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 16.-At to-day's ees-
sion of the American Federation Of Labor
the proposition to hold q labor congress
during the worlds fair came up in the nat
ure of unfinished business. The PROPOSE
ton for tho federation to take any action
toward assisting in a worlds fair congress
vote. Recommendations in the presidents
report were approved, including the clauses
relating to the woman organizer. whose
work was complimented. and relating to
Labor day. The committee recommended
an appeal for the establishment of
q national labor day in the districts
and Territories. 1t was voted to notify
the President of the United States
of the action c%ondemning the employ lent
of Chinese sailors by the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company.
A resolution was recommended that
stirred up a lively debate. 1t related to
the action of the president ana executive
council requesting conferences with the
Knights of Labor unions. The many at
lacks of the knights of Labor against
trades.unions. especially on the coal-miners
said that all efforts to heal the breach
while they were on the attack aud the
federation on the defensive were only q
waste of time. The committee recon-
mended that the highest duty of the fed
GRAFTON was to defend the unions selected
by the Knights of Labor for attack, and
that the executive committee take such
action as will enforce this idea" The rec
ommendation of the committee was final
ly adopted.
The special committee of nine on militia
In strikes then reported. They said:
Unless a halt is called it will not be long until
liberty gives way TO despotism. Since the recent
uses to which troops have been subjected has
bnnn trDr alnr Inv fin mn fho annIa nm
challenged to surrender their power, we there
fore believe that herein is the vital point of our
grievances.
The following resolutions were then pro-
posed:
That the American Federation of Labor and af-
fiiiated bodies demand OF their respective legis-
latures the enactment OF laws embracing one OF
the following propositions:
First-Thatt they shall create q board Of commits
sioners 10 he selected by the people. and TO CON-
sist of as many members as there are congression-
al districts I'm the State. The commissioners only
shall have power to call out the militia after in
vestigation of the labor difficulties in conjunction
with the Governor.
second-That in cases of labor difficulties il
shall be unlawful for the Governor to call out the
militia for the suppression OF the same. except
upon a petition sign ed by ar least one fourth of
the qualified voters OF the county wherein the
trouble may exist.
We further as a remedy for the
employment OF Ptnkerton or Cther armed forces
that we demand enactment OF laws by the
several States of the Union prohibiting non-resl-
dents from serving as special officers.
II was also recommended that the feder-
alton refuse under any circumstances To
permit it's mem bers to er list in the n ational
guard. and that the mem bers now enlisted
withdraw as soon as they can lawfully do
so, unless one or the other of the PROPOSE
tons herein proposed be embodied in the
State laws. After considerable discussion
the recommendations of the committee
were stricken out AID n clause adopted in
stead fsvoring the support OF labor repre-
sentation in the administrative and legis-
lative departments of the national and
State governments. and advising members
of the federation to see that the friend Q of
labor command the militia rather than tho
friends of capitalists. The convention
then adjourned for the day.