The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-12-12

centuries; teeming fields that yield gladly
to the tiller's touch, well stocked streams,
fertile valleys and wood clad hills rapid
communication between supply and dis
tribution skilled labor that Is the equal
pf any in the world, the whole people Of
the state should be prosperous and happy.
Measured by the wealth that has been
gathered from the sources / have men
Goiled, the state is great prosperous and
powerful. Contrasted with the condi-
lion Of the producers Of that wealth then
the state is poor indeed"
MIR. Chance then quotes some figures
to show the low rate Of wages paid in
different sections Of the state. charges
class legislation, and proceeds;
II have said that the legislation Of tho
patton and state is partly responsible for
this condition of things. Trusts have
been 1egalized and fostered, while soul
less corporations and gigantic plants are
the especial wards of the state laws
passed for the benefit of the masses are
Teclared unconstitutional or decisions
given that render their provisions nu.
Eatory. To counterfeit a worlilnan's
label i'll this state is u comnenlahle act,
TO copy Il manufacturer trade mark in
punishable oifense. A judge becomes
virtually the attorney of a giant corpo-
ration and comnon prosecutor Of
striking workmen.
at is SAID that the blood Of the mar
kyrs was the seed Of the church. It is
possible that through the blood of the
men who died on the banks of the
MOnongahela last July NAY come
realization OF the tlne condition of
affairs, and that the legislation Of the
future will be in favor Of the masses
rather than for the aggraudizement of
nf the faw.
'To you 10 delegated the duty to point
out the way in which we can do our
Hhare 10 elevate the condition of the
people of this country. ] look toward
TO your deliberations with full convic-
tion thai they will lie guided with pro-
phetic Inspiration, not as to the needs of
the masses YOU represent, but the means
best calculated to better thair condi-
tion.
Within the sound Of my voice is the
spot from which in July, 1716, was read
the Declaration Of Independence to the
assemblage below That document
meant freedom for nation and an asy-
lum for the oppressed of the world. You
are within historic and sacred walls.
Let your legislation be such that the op-
pressed of today may be brought to q
realization of the immortal words read
OIL that memorable day: That al men
IAV llUhhtG NNlNtLis litub lut1 are EnupWGu
by their creator with certain inalienahle
rights; that among these are life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness
Representing Milton Toilcrs.
The American Federation of Labor
now numbers nearly a million mem
bers. Greet national and international
unions arc included III its roll cali, such
ns the Typographical unian, Brother
hood of Carpenters and JUiners, Anal
ganated Association of Iron and Steel
Workers, Beer Brewers National union,
Bakers National union, American Flint
Glass Workers union, National Fedora
hon Of Miners and Mine Laborcrs Gran
ite Cutters National union, Iron Monld-
ers' National uHion, Gigarina&ers' Inter
national union and numerous others
Almost from it, foundation the special
work of the federation has been the serar-
Ing OF M eight-honi worlitay. In 1889, in
order to secure mora efficient agitation
on The subject, simultaneous mass meet
ings ;tll over the country were held on
three great national holidays Washing
tons birthday, the Fourth of July and
Labor day. These meeting were held on
the appointed dates in 526 cites.
As a resnlt Of This agitation thirteen or
fourteen trades, some al thcm great ma
tional organizations, are now in possess
bUn OF Inc eiBht-hhui ttt$t hhd over "a
million people are affected hy the re-
form. Mr.. Gompera says, millions Of
working people in the United States
have received reduction in thor hours
Of labor and an Increase III their wages
consequent thereupon"
The present convention is looked to as
the most important IN the history of the
federation, and great interest is being
felt i'll its lahora.
After the opening exercises the usual
committees We're appointed, and pending
the report OF the committee on creden-
tials The convention took Il recess.