Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-16
IN LARoRs, BEHALF.
Opening of the Convention OF the Ameri-
can Federation.


CHICAGO, Dec. l3.-There were near
ly 100 delegates IN the council chamber
in the city hall at 10 a. m. when the
thirteenth annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor was
called to order by President
Samuel Gompers That the del
egates realized the meeting was
one of unusual Importance was
evidenced by the deep interest that
was manifested even in the perfume
tory preliminary work of organiz-
ing the convention. The early session
was devoted to receiving reports and
reading the call for the meeting. This
call was notable for its reference TO the
present depression in the labor market
and the suffering among all classes of
worlSmen.
Gov. Altgeld and Mayor Swift had
been announced as speakers at the
opening session by the local committee
on arrangements, but President Com
pers, on learning of this, notified each
that they would not be called upon
to address the gathering, because the
constitution of the federation provides
that no public officials shall address
its conventions.
After calling the convention to order
President Gompers introduced ]. j.
McGrath, of the Chicago Trade and La
Dor Assembly, who made an informal
address of welcome He was followed
in similar address by w. G. Pomeroy,
vice president of the local trade and
labor assembly. M. II. Madden, presi-
dent of the Illinois state federation,
followed. and President Gompers. re-
sponded to these addresses.
President Gompers' annual address,
delivered during the afternoon session,
was long and exhaustive 1t handled
| at length almost every question of in
| terest to labor Concerning the in
| dustrial and financial depression Mr..
| Gompers said that it's causes were
| to be traced to the extraordinary ac-
tivity of manufactures after their
emergence from the panic of 1878.
| The markets were glutted with prod
ucts. The federation early foresaw
| the difficulties that confronted the
people and in 1884 started the
movement for the reduction of the
hours of labor. The movement was
frustrated in 1856, but resumed in 1890.
Had not the capitalistic classes so Wig
orously opposed it the panic of 1893
would not have been known.
President Gompers thought the pres.
ent depression was having deleterious
effect upon labor organizations 1T is
no exaggeration to say" he declared,
"that more than 5000, 900 of our fellow
toilers throughout the country are
without employment"
On the subject of the advisability o.
the federation taking political actor
he said:
The last convention recommended TO the or
ganized worlSmep that they take such actor
politically shall secure tle best results t
labor and place the movement upon highe
plane. l desire to record not only that in my
judgment the trend will soon be in that direc
ton, but that every earnest effort made has me
with the cooperation OF the members of th
executive council. An intelligent use OF th
ballot by the toilers must largely contribute t.
tighten the burdens of our economic struggles
, Let us elect men from the ranks of labor 1
| represent US in congress and the legislature
> whenever and wherever the opportunity offers
, Let US never be recreant to our trust, and re
gardless OF political Affiliations predilection
always vote against those whose interests ar
inimical to labor"
The address also contained some per
the Chinese exclusion act, government
, ownership of the telegraph, railroa
strikes, child labor and other matter
of industrial interest.
, The report of Secretary Evans wa
mainly interesting from the fact tina
, it furnished detailed statement q
the money received and expended i
j. the interest of the Homestead legal dc
/ fense fund. During the year endin
: October 81 charters were granted t
+ 2OS various labor organizations, six c
6 which We're national unions. Severe
. amendments to the constitution wer
= suggested by the secretary.
The report of Treasurer John B. Lei
: non, which was also submitted, Shove
i, that The total income for the year ent
n ing October 81 was S2l, 4s7. IA, and til
4 total expenses Sl7,S1S. 40, leaving
balance of S3,66S.74. This balanc
i with the unexpended residue of tt
d Homestead fund, makes the total cas-
n in the treasurers hands 81, 147.44