The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-12-14
THE LABOR CONGRESS.
Second Days Proceedings of the
Federation Meeting.
FINANCIAL AID FOR HOMESTEAD.

Congressman Cummings Letter.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 14.-Tho second
aays's session of the twelfth annual CON
Eention of the American Federation of
Labor was called to order by President
Gompers at 0 "a. IN. in select council
chamber, Independence Hall, with
number of new delegates in attendance.
The president read kilograms from Eu-
gene V. Deb5and Frank p. Sargent of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
and w. j. Gilthorpe, of the Interna-
Honal Brotherhood of Boilermakers and
6hipbuilders. The most significant dis
patch was from Thomas Mitchell, of
Chicago, president Of the Trades and
Labor assembly. which .Eead:
"At special meeting df Trades assem-
bly, resolution passed dehouncing giving
cf catalogue printing to Conkey and re-
luestlng Federation rot to pass resolu-
zion favoring Sunday opening Worlds
fair"
The report of the committee on rules,
which followed, caused considerable de-
bate. The debated clause was one which
provided that the maker Of a motion
should have the right to close the debate.
Ehe clause was finally stricken out by
totS Ol % 70 So lne COllltDILee also
recommended that the convention as
pemble daily ut 9 a. m, take recess at
12A5 p. m, reassemble at 2:l6 and ad-
3onrn for the day at o o'clock. This was
adopted.
Urging Pardon for Anarchists.
A number of resolutions wero referred
b appropriate committees, the most SEN
sational Of which was the following, Of
Tered by Delegate Morgan, of Chicago.
Resolved, That this convention join
In the plea to the governor of the state
q Illinois for the pardon of Oscar Neebe,
bamuel Fielding and Michael Schwab."
George E. Mcneil, tf Boston, then
read paper on the labor problem, In
which, after declaring the American
Federation of Labor to be the highest
development of organized effort, he re-
terTed to the Knights Of Labor in this
strain:
"rhe departure of the Knights of
Labor when they had reached the climax
bf their powers necessarily led to de-
liberalization from which the laborers
under the banners Of the trades unions
pre- now rallying. Free as l am from
kny antagonisin to the rank and file of
that organization, in fact i'll deep sym
pathy with them, must protest that the
bpirit of Capitalization which has gov
srHed them will surely, and ought surely,
tectlre Cnelf overthrow.
Congressman Amos j. Cummings of
New York, was unable to attend the
bdnvention, because of not receiving
ihs invitation in time, it having been
Bent to his home in letter from
Washington to President Gompers,
which the latter read to the convention,
hr. Cummings said; THE struggle of
labor for social equity i'll the English
peaking race came prominently into
liaw in the peasant revolt more than
I've centuries ago. The situation today
b wonderfully changed. Labor has
political rights and speaks and acts in
6hairs Of government 1t Is courted as
potential The darker aspects Of the
btyuggle, which law has not remedied
eRd which equity as yet has been in
.Tqcmpetent to meet is seen in the Home
bissd incident. That plant had been
po1ducted like a republic, In which every
interest was represented and considered.
snddenly II was changed to monarchy.
The autocrat presented scale and de-
mAnded submission under the penalty of
bxfle. His own violent resources failed
10 establish his despotism, and the state
had TO come to his aid. Whoever insti-
gated the violence, 1t had TO be crushed
but al the claims Of public order.
Aid for Homesteadcrs.
The first business taken up at the after
noon session was the question of max
ing an appropriation to the Homestead
knherers, it being Homestead Day.
Delegate Skcfhngton, Of Boston. pre-
ssnted the report of the commit. ssn
Presidents report, recommending tnat
tke convention donate 81 600 to aid in the
hetense of the arrested strikers. This
was adopted, after AN amendment that a
selection in addition be taken and a
substitute resolution deferring the pay
kNfti
killed.
Delegate Morgan, of Chicago, moved
hat $500 additional be contributed for
Ehs relief of the non-union men who left
their positions ont of sympathy for the
Homestead strikers. First Vice Presi-
Dent McGuiro's amendment that the
amount be given TO the Homestead re
bsi fund was accepted by Mr.. Morgan
Then President Weihe, of the Amalga-
mated Association, made detailed
statement Of the trouble and said 225
men are now under indictment, of whom
five are charged with murder, over thirty
with treason and the remainder with
conspiracy and riot. -Four hundred
Ehousund dollars have been given in bail
bonds for the release Oh number of the
accused. Although many Of the old
erlployes are now at work, 2,260 have
not gotten back. The total amount con.
tribntsd during the strike was $4t 600
In conclusion he said that the cases
agaiist the arrested strikers have al
ready cost the association SiO,00O for
lawyers and witness fees
Second Vice President Carney, of Pitts.
bnrg, who is also connected with the
ANAL lganated Association, made an ad-
dress on the Homestead situation, and
said that because of the laws Of tie or
Eanization no stlfUs benefits are paid its
members during July and August This
was adhered to this year, bat during
those months S35 600 was given the non.
union men who struck in support of the
nnion workmen.
The convention at first decided to post
pone the appropriation, bpt after the
parliamentary rules had been practically
exhausted in reconsideraiions, etc, the
payment was unanimously ordered.
The Cour d'Aiene Miners.
First Vice President MoGuire, of
Philadelphia, moved that $500 be con-
tributed to the defense fund of the CouF
dAleue miners. This went through with
Arush. but when Delegate Todtenhau-
sen, Of Knoxville, Tenn. made motion
that $500 he appropriated to the support
of the Tennessee miners some Of the del
egates thought the matter WIS being car
ried too far. A general objection fol.
lowed, during which President Gomper
surrendered the chair to Miss Mary e
Kenney, Of Chicago. general women
organizer of the federation. and the only
lady delegate in attendance. The debats
became so excited, however. that Miss
Kenney retired and President Gonlpert
again assumed charge The president
gave. way to Delegate Martin Fox, OF
Clncinnati. and made an address on the
subject, in which he asked what incen
nye non union men would have TO join
iaoor organizations if tho latter would
anpnort them tho pa,nn nn 4 d.,nr u, nsr