The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-17

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. l6s-Atsto-
days session Of tho Federation of
Labor convention the proposition to
hold q labor Congress during the
Worlds Fair came up in the natureof
unfinished business. Incorporation
for the Federation to-take any action
toward assisting ina Worlds Fairrcon-
gress was then defestedsbysan over
whelming vote.
Recommendations rinl theipres1dcnt's
report were approved, including the
clauses relating to tho woman organ
izer, whose work was complimented,
and relating to labor day. The COM
mittee recommend an appeal for the
establishment OF a national labor day in
the District OF Columbia and tho terri.
tories. It was uoted to notify the
President OF the United States Of tho
action Condemning the employment Of
Chinese sailors by the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company. A resolution was
recommended that stirred up a lively
debate. It related to the action Of the
president and executive council re-
questing conferences with tho Knights
Of Labor unions. Tho many attacks Of
the Knights Of Labor against trades
unions, especially on tho coal miners
and shoemakers, was deplored. II was
said that all efforts to heal the breach
while they were on the attack and the
Federation on the defensive would only
be waste of time.
The committee recommended shat
r4he highest duty Of the Federation was
to defend the unions selected by the
Knights OF Labor for attack, and that
the executive committee take such &c
tion as will enforce this idea"
The recommendation of tho commit
tee was finally adopted.
The special committee Of nino on
militia in strikes then reported. They
said: "Unlessa 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
been brought about by allowing the
people unchallenged to surrender their
power, we therefore believe that herein
Is the vital point OF our grievances"
The following resolutions wore then
That tho American Federation of
Labor and affiliated bodies demand of
their respective legislatures the enact
ment oflaws embracing one OF the tol-
lowing propositions:
First-They shall create q board Of
commissions, to be selected by the peo-
pie, and to consist OF as many members
rs there are congressional districts in
the state. Tho committee only shall
have power to call out tho militia alter
investigation Of the labor ditdcultiesin
connection with the governor.
second-That in cases OF labor ditt1N
culties it shall be unlawful for tho gov,
ernor to call out the militia for the sup
preston of tho same except upon a
petition signed by at least one-tourth OF
the qualified voters Of tho county
wherein the trouble may exist.
we further recommend as a remedy
for the employment of Pinkerton or
other armed forces, that we demand the
enactment of laws by tho several states
Of the Union prohibiting non-resldents
from serving as peace officers.
It was also recommended that the
federetion refuse under any circumstane
ces to serve in the national guard, and
that the members now enlisted with
draw as soon as they can lawfully do SO
unless one or the other OF the proposi-,
tions herein proposed be embodied in
the state laws.
After considerable discussion the
recommendations of the committee
were stricken out and clause adopted
instead favoring the support OF labor
representation in the administrative
and legislative departments OF the
national and state governments, and
adyislng members of tho Federation to
sec that the friends OF labor command
the militia rather than the friends OF
'1f Fhe convention thon adjourned for
the day.