The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-12-21


following propositions; First, they
shall create board of commissioners,
to be selected by the people. and to CON
sist of as many members as there are
congressional districts in the state. The
committee only shall have power to
call out the militia after investigation
of the labor difficulties, in conjunction
with the governor.
Second, that in cases Of labor diff
culties it shall be unlawful for the gov
ernor to call out the militia for the sup
preston of the same except upon a PEE
tition signed by at least one-fourth of
the qualified voters of the county where
in the trouble may exist
1--WE further recommend a remedy for
the employment of Pinkerton or other
armed forces That we demand enact
ment of laws by the several states of
the Union prohibiting non-residents
from serving as peace officers"
After considerable discussion the
recommendations of the committee
were stricken out and q clause adopted
instead favoring the support of labor
representation in administrative and
legislative departments of the national
and state governments and advising
members Of the Federation to see that
the friends Of labor command the militia
rather than the friends Of capital
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19.-The conven-
tion of the American Federation of La
Dor was called together at s o'clock Sat-
urday morning. A resolution was unan-
imously adopted asking clemency for
the imprisoned Chicago anarchists
Neebe, Fielden and Schwab.
Delegate Morgan, Of Chicago, intro
duced substitute for q resolution IA
voring government control of telegraph
and telephone lines The socialist cle-
ment wanted a resolution asking that
the government control all means Of
communication, transportation and pro-
duction. Morgan insisted on a roll call
to test the sense of the federation on
the proposition and the result was
defeat for the socialists by vote OF
1,o2s to 527. The original resolution
was finally passed with an amendment
asking government control ofrailroads
Resolutions affirming the previous
conventions advocacy Of women SUI
frage and asking for state legislatures TO
protect trade union marks were adopted
and various resolutions asking legisla-
ton against the Chinese were favorably
commended TO the next executive coun-
Gil Differences between the socialists
and autonomists were aired when res
olution was reported asking congress
either to pass legislation compelling the
adjustment of labor disputes by srbitra-
ton, or the submission of a constitu-
tional amendment permitting such leg
islation. The socialistic representatives
favored the measure, as q step toward
government control of all production
and characterized its opponents as an
archists, charging that they objected to
1t as they objected to all government.
President Gompers and others argued
that compulsory arbitration might
prove dangerous weapon against labor
interests should It fall into the hands Of
capital N
The question was finally settled by
the adoption Of q substitute which en-
phatically approved the principle Of ar
bitration, but recognized Its impotency
where the workers involved are not
fully organized.
A recess was then taken When the
recess was over the annual election Of
officers was called for. There was no
opposition TO President Gompers' re-
election and the choice was unanimous
Christopher Evans was in like manner
reelected secretary.
A contest developed for the treasur-
er's Office and John Lennon, present In
cumbent, was reelected over Henry
Weissman. P. J. Mcguire was reelected
first vice president. For second vice
president William A. Carney, Of Pitts
burgh, who took an active part In the
Homestead strike, was elected by a
large majority.
Chicago secured the convention for
1893, after close fight against the
claims Of Denver.
After the usual complimentary COM
munications and resolutions, Vice Pres
ident p. J. Mcguire delivered the per-
grafton preceding the final adjourn
ment which YVES then announced.