The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-20

CHICAGO. Dec 13-When the con-
gentiOn OF the American federation of
labor was called to order by President
GOmpers today. Delegate William
Hughes of the Amalgamated iron and
steel workers association of Muncie.
Ind, announced that he had been re-
lieved OF $50 in cash and Delegate r. +.
Ross of Bedford. Mass. of $40 at the
hotel last night The other delegates
were warned to hold tight to their valu-
ables.
The grievance committee had several
complaints to consider in which west
ern i'll feeling toward President Com
pers cropped out. One was a strong
protest against the chartering by the
executive board Of an organization Of
musicians in Baltimore when an organ
already existed there The indignant
protestants say the executive body could
not have been ignorant Of the fact. One
wing of the convention is, it is said
strongly opposed to Gompers because Of
his alleged dabbling in politics.
The resolution indorsing Governor Alt
geld for his pardon of the anarchists
was reported upon favorably by the COM
mittee and passed by a unanimous vote
1t declared the verdict 10 have been the
result of class prejudice and persecu-
ton. Another resolution passed calling
upon the government TO enforce the
provisions Of the Cieary law regarding
the employment Of Chimes labor on the
Pacific coast. Another resolution called
Tor the enactment OF a law to prevent
an employer from making any oppose
ton to his employees joining a union and
10 prevent his discharging them because
they were in any way connected with a
labor organization. Delegate James
Bretel of the Amalgamated association
of iron and steel workers introduced a
resolution making it obligatory by law
upon employees to submit differences to
arbitration 1t was voted down after a
warm debate.
CHICAGO, Dec. 1.-THE delegates to
the American federation of labor con-
VentiOn today refused to take action on
q communication touching upon the
question of hte tariff. The matter came
up in the form OF a communication from
the plush workers Of Bridgeport, Conn,
which declared that after the passage
of the Mckinley bill their wages had
been reduced and that their employers
threaten further reduction in the
event Of the passage of the bill. The
communication was laid on the table
and the delegates fought shy of any
discussion on the subject.
A number Of resolutions were adopted
as the sentiment Of the convention as
they came from the committee. The
theory Of the government ownership OF
Telegraph Of the country was approved,
The election of United States senators
by popular vote was indorsed; the presi-
nent Of the federation was authorized
10 draft bill making it compulsory for
manufacturers to place exhaust fans in
their manufactures. The convention ex-
pressed itself as being in favor Of COM
pulEory education. It was resolved to
petition congress to enact a law estab-
fishing postal savings banks in view OF
the inadequacy, as the resolution ex-
pressed it, Of the present rational bank
ing system.
Representative Lewis Nash OF the Re
tail clerks national association read a
paper on the future usefulness of the
federation. He advocated government
ownership Of telegraph and the rail-
roads. He said the country now has too
much law with too little justice. I'VE
ehould stand shoulder to shoulder on
election day and vote for measures, not
for men; for statesmen, not for poliu-
rlans; for humanitarians. not for dema-
gogues."
Chairman Morgan of the committee
on reolutions submitted a program for
the naturalization Of railways, mines,
telegraph. etc, as proposed by English
economists as a basis for the political
labor movement. A motion 10 have the
v,atfar r,raeanfad n the ,Drv1uiya fiOns
pr the federation for the purpose Of hav-
Ing their delegates instructed 10 vote
upon IL at the next convention OF the
federation received the support of a
number OF delegates and the disapproval
Of others.
The platform has twelve planks in it.
Compulsory education; direct legisla-
ton; a legal eight hour work day; sani-
tary inspection Of workshop, mine and
home; liability Of employers for physical
disability; abolition Of contract labor in
all public works; abolition Of the sweat
ing system; municipal ownership of street
ears. electric light and gas plants; ma
tionalization of telegraph, telephone, rail-
ways and mines; collective ownership by
the people OF all means OF production and
distribution: the principle Of referendum
an all legislation. 1t was moved to have
the resolution taken up and voted upon
eeriatim.
There was contest THIS afternoon
between the conservative and socialistic
delegates regarding the adoption Of prin-
ciples OF a platform to be submitted at
the next annual convention. The con-
servatives came out ahead. The COM
mittee on resolutions brought up pro-
gram containing the fundamental prin-
ciples of independent labor politics. A
recommendation accompanied the report
10 the eff sct that the planks should be
submitted TO the favorable considera-
tion of the labor organizations repre-
scented. the socialisitc delegates being
against the use OF the word favorable"
and the conservatives in favor of 1t. A
resolution was adopted favoring a series
OF national and international congresses
or conferences Of labor. the same to
eliminate on May /, 1901. in an inter-
national demonstration Of labor organ
iZations In all countries.
CHICAGO. Dec. 15.-The American fed
GRAFTON OF labor delegates refused today to
permit Mayor Swift TO address Them
There was considerable opposition TO the
action on the ground that inasmuch as
Governor Altgeld had been invited to
speak the same courtesy should be e1-
tended 70 Mr. Swift
BY a vote Of the convention II was de-
cided that the executive council has not