The morning call., 1893-10-22
AN AGREEMENT REACHED.
Trade Unions and Farmers
Alliance.
FOR THEIR MUTUAL INTERESTS.
An Important Document in the His
tory of Politics in the State
of California.

An event occurred on Wednesday at
Fresno that may mark an epoch In the
political history of this State.
Since the inception of the Farmers
Alliance the leaders of trade unions have
looked forward to the day when treaty
of alliance could be formed between the
two organizations. The trade-union move
ment at the start had no more bitter op-
ponents than the American farmers, who
generally regarded trade unions. strikes
and boycotts as the offspring of old Nick,
and the members Of the unions as foreign
anarchists and foes to the American idea
of government 1t is certain that this
attitude of the agriculturists acted as a
bar to the stronger growth Of trade union
ism and was regarded as the greatest
obstacle to be overcome by the labor lead
ers of the city.
On the other hand. when the farmers
organized it was on political lines that
they hoped to achieve their aims. Politics
In trade unions has been for years strictly
tabooed subject, and the farmers therefore
gained few supporters among the organ
lied city workmen.
A change of opinion on both sides has
been going on for some time, and in Cali
forna at least the course OF President
Cleveland's administration has brought
matters to focus.
The State Farmers Alliance of Califor-
MIA had called its yearly convention to
meet at Fresno on Monday last. Presi-
dent Gilbert and Organizer Gillespie of the
Alliance for the last year have been earn
estly working TO induce the central labor
councils of the State to send delegates to
49, tsor. TxTIFh
and, If possible. arranging an offensive
and defensive league between the two bod
les. Their efforts were go far successful
as to have. Secretary NJ. McGlynn of the
San Francisco Labor Council and w. b.
Chapman of the Sacramento Federated
Trades sent to Fresno with executive in-
structioDs as to the. course to pursue.
The labor delegates received an enthu-
siastie welcome from the farmers. who
seemed to regard their presence as the
harbinger of better DAYS An Alliance
committee was Immediately appointed to
confer with the trades representatives,
and the following agreement was offered
as the result of the conference:
First-The State Farmers Alliance promises
TO submit with favorable recommendation TO
the suballiances of California any proposition
emanating from the San Francisco Labor COun-
Gil or Sacramento Federated Trades, provided
such proposition does not conflict with the
principles upheld by the Alliance.
SecOnd-The labor councils In return promise
to submit with favorable recommendation for
con nSideratloD by allied trade organizations any
proposition emanatng from the Stale Farmers
Alliance, provided the same does not conflict
with the principles upheld by the trade organi-
cations.
Tbird-Courteous hearing shall be Afforded
by both parties to this agreement to delegates
from either party whenever personal pTeSen-
tation of a proposition Is deemed necessary.
Fourth-In general and specific terms. each
and both parties TO his agreement engage and
pledge themselves to aid by every possible
honorable method the welfare of each other,
believing their interests TO be Identical.
When this agreement was offered for ap-
proval to the convention on Wednesday
afternoon it was adopted by rising
unanimous vote, and for half an hour
afterward the convention half rivaled an
old-time camp-meeting. Gray-haired old
farmers cheered and shook each others
hands and then made a rush for the MEM
bers of both committees, who we're sub
mitted to d Misunderstanding that threatened
to deprive them of those useful mem bers
The convention afLerward appointed a
committee of five to attend the convention
of the Pacific Coast Trades and Labor
Councils to be held in Sacramento in Janu-
aTy, 1894. where an effort will be made 10
have the agreement adopted by the Gen.
trail Labor Councils of the Pacific Coast.
A similar committee will attend the
State Labor Congress, called by tie San
Francisco Labor Council, to meet in this
city in February. 1894. to which all sub
alliances will be instructed TO send three
additional delegates.
On Friday evening last Secretary Nc
GlyDn presented the agreement at the
meeting of the Labor Council, where it
met with the hearty approval of the dele
gates, and the allied unions were in
structed to Immediately vote upon the
matter. There is little question that the
unions will approve the councils action,
after which the councils of San Jose, Ala
media County, Los Angeles. San Diego and
San Bernardino will be asked to vote in a
similar way.
This new move gains considerable sig
niicance when it is remembered that in
1892 the labor leaders of California were
practically a unit in favor Of President
Clevela1d's candidacy under the supposi-
tion that he was favorable to Chinese ex-
clusion. Now they are thoroughly dis
gusted with him, both on account of his
pro-Chinese rulings and his opposition to
silver. Adding 10 this the Government
ownership of railroads and telegraphs Is
urged by the trades unions and is plank
in the Populist party's platform. it will be
we'll for the political prophets of 1896 to
reckon new element in their predictions