The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-12
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION
IN CHICAGO,


samuel Gompers From the Prest-
dcncy OF the Organization.
Treason Is the Charge.
Chicago, December 1.-THE thirteenth
annual convention Of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor opened in the city coun-
! ell chaElbcr today. over ninety delegates
! from all parts of the country We're pres
ent when President Samuel Gompers
called the convention TO order.
A strong effort will be made by Western
delegates to elect a Western man to the
presidency. A parade had been planned
for this morning, but because Of the bad
weather the idea was abandoned and the
delegates marched from their headuuar-
tcrs to the council chamber without dis
play.
w +. Pomeroy welcomed the delegates
In lengthy speech In which he set forth
the pitlable condition of many OF Chica-
COS iaboring men.
Ten thousand hungry homeless men
Will welcome your coming" said the
speaker. land will expect you to sound TO
the Nation note OF alarm and will look
to you for aid in the present desperate
condition."
Governor Altgeld, democrat, and Acting
Mayor Swift, republican, had been Invited
TO speak at the opening session. but at the
eleventh hour they were informed that
they would not be permitted to address
the delegates. The reason given FOR this
action was a provision IN the lsderation's
constitution prohibiting addresses OF men
holding public positions, but =. ). Mas,
secretary oil the Chicago arrangements
committee minated mat the affair had
grown out Of the fight on President Com
Delegates have been named In Colorado
auI elsewhere TO brrdgn Samuel GJnpers,
the president Of the American Federation
senator Hamilton Armstrong goes from
Colorado TO the meeting TO make specific
charges against Gompers. The basis Of
these charges .s GoMpeIs usht against Sill
Yer, ana Ae viii probably be accused or
merceuary motives for his opposition. il
Is argued that his position 10 against the
Interests of labor and that he Is therefore
unit To- occupy his present position.
lt looks, therefore, as II the deposition
OF POwuprly 10y the knights OF Labor may
pers
But the great contest will be that which
Involves the union label Recent LEI d de
cisl2us have been against tine federation
and the hgat is to be carried to the highest
court. The representation IN the conNen-
tonal and National unions with less than
1000 members, one delegate, for 1900 mem
bers or more, two delegates; for 5000 mem
beers OF more, three delegateSi FOR lGVVu
members or more, four delegates; for 3D.
600 members or more, five delegates. and
50 on, Local. trade or federal labor un-
ions, state decorations, central labor UNI
ions trades assemblies or trade councils,
one dclcgal each, All organizations 10 be
entitled to representation must have
certificate Of animation tchurterJ at least
thirty days before the date upon which the
convention is to be held. Any delegate
representing anon must be member Of
a Tl TTn al la
trade union which sends him the union
must give reason why such delegate was
The call Is Of peculiar interest. 1t is IL
part as follows IN calling this conyen-
ton your attention is directed 10 the grave
situation which coufronts the tUlling
masses of our country. In land varied
in climate Astounding in wealth, all ma
ture smiling upon II, with wiling HANDS,
fellow human beings anxious to fashion
and produce wealth. the necessities and
luNuriCs Of life, yet unable to lind an OPP
portunity OF being so employed.
Never in the history of the world has
SO large number Of people vainIv sought
FOR an opportunity to earn livelihood
fellows. IN society where such abnor-
mui conditions prevail there must OF ne
cesS.ty Doe something wrong az the basic
foundation and 4 requires but little study
To come 20 the conclusion that the owner
snip and control OF the wealth, of the
means of production, by private corpora
apparent resren5lb,iiy; Is ihe cause OF the
Ills and wrongs borne by the human fam
The right to life liberty and the pursuit
OF happiness should be q guarantee that
euploymeuL remuaeratve,, safe and
becomes those devoted to the interests OF
the people and tine progress OF our race
to take such action as Will necessarily
make these declarations aciualitc7 ana
mol moaNu-le-s phrases. The forthcoming