Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-10
THE LABOR TROU8leS
Largely HAD 10 do With the Need Of the Extra
Session.

Boston, Aug. 9--The state branch OF
the Federation of Labor put itself on
record as being favorable to the uss OF
silver as currency in the shape OF a resolu-
ton to congress. There was no debate on
this subject.
President Gompers made an address, in
which he alluded to the great public ques-
tions that are Just now watched with in
terest by labor people. Massachusetts had
taken the lead always In labor legislation
The masses must be educated before much
quicker progress could be made among
the labor unions, yet there are some peo-
pie who are continually crying that they
act too slowly.
The trades unions are elastic and will
conform to the wishes of the people as
soon as these wishes are expressed wisely.
The fight for shorter hours and more
just remuneration for toll will GO on
Until the Haisnce IL Reached.
Congress has been called together in this
extra session because the tilching Of labor
has reached crisis. Can congress bring
relief to the workers from industrial in-
justices There is nothing il can do to
adjust the inequalities between the pro-
ducsive and uuproduetive classes.
Congress can take some action which
might bring partial relief, but there is
nothing it eau do to effectually remedy
the present stagnation Of business The
speaker referred to the silver question and
did not believe that the purchase OF 1900,
600 or 4.Ou,Ou0 ounces OF an article a
month would ruin the bdsiness Of the
United States.
In the organization of the trade union
and in the conventions Of labor will bo
found the
Actual and Fnectual l-enedy
for such industrial stagnations as at pre-
ent exist. Increase the power Of all tie
people to consume as well as their CT
pacity to produce, thus adding to Their
ability to purchase more OF the result of
their iabors. The committee on resolu-
tions then reported Resolutions wefe
adopted endorsing the blue label OF the
cigarmakers Governor Altgeld Of Hi
nois was commended for pardoning the
Chicago anarchists, aud II was voted to
forward resolutions to him.
A long discussion was precipitated by "a
motion debarring trade councils from rep
resentation in the state branch. 1t was
finally carried, and hereafter none but
local unions and miscellaneous central
labor bodies will be entitled to member
ship In the state branch.
The silver Question
was then taken up and the following re O.
luton carried;
II is the opinion Of the convention that We
reaaire congress to 80 legislate as to keep up
81 a.. rfs t.fix crtI
silver. In order that the debt paying power of
the people shall not be diminished and that
the circulating medium of the people shall
not be at the beck and call Of any corporation
or number of them
Representat.ve Mellen Of Worcester
spoke Of the honor Of now belonging to a
labor organization, where not many years
ago mans life was endangered If il was
suspected that he had any connection with
one The eyes Of the wage earners OF tne
state were upon the convention. and what
the delegates were now doing would go
forth and possess great influence, not only
with the people. but with the Legislature.
Itthe laws relating to the cigarmakers
labels and to the railroad employees hi d
not already been passed, IL would bs
impossible to get them through now on
account OF the combination of capital
among corporations and their esgerness te
WELD it against the laborers.
He then spoke Of the proposed biennial
ELECTIONS and declared that this was the
last thing labor man desired The poll
ticians should be y. all times kept as neal
| the people possible
vote Of thanks was then passed t.
| Representative MeIien for his good wors
| in the interust Of labor while he was q
| member Of the Legislature
Omcers For the Ensuing Year.
1 The following officers were elected
| President, o. A. Robbins Of Springfield
| first vice president. John +. Sheehan O
| Holyoke, second vice president, J. ID
Pierce of Worcester; secretary. Frank X
| Foster Of Boston: treasurer. Charlie
Spencer Of Springfield; trustees, Frans
! Thompson. r. w. Garrity and A. j. Fe.i
| OF Boston: legislative committee, A. T
S;Iberssein, Frank X. Foster. Henr,
Lloyd. Thomas Tracy and John T. O'Sulii
| van; delegate to convention in Chicag'
next December, Thomas Tracy.
I