The herald., 1894-12-18
GOMPERS SHY ON VOTES.
MCBRIDE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF
THE LABOR CONFEDERATION,
indianapolis Selected for adquartsrs.
List Of Other Officers se-
looted by tho Con-
vention.

DENVER, Dec. lf.-Iho convention of
the federation OF labor today decided to
mf ks the headquarters of the organizs.
tion at Indianapolis. The contest
narrowed down to Washington and In-
diarspolis, and the vote resulted: In.
dianapolis 1890, Washington 926.
John Mcbride. president of the United
Mine Workers, was elected president to
succeed Gompers, the vote standing
Mcbride 1852, Gompers 9s7.
There was no excitement attendin
the election Of president. and several
delegates announced that they voted
against Gompers by Instructions from
their unions. Gompers moved to make
the vote unanimous for Mcbride. but
objection was made. Gompers at once
sent q message to Mcbride, congratu-
lating him and pledging his support.
Mcclure of Philadelphia was elected
first vico-president. James Duncan of
Baltimore second vice. president, Roady
Kenehan of Denver third vice-presi-
dent, L. J. Elderkin OF Seaman's union
fourth yics-president, A. M. McCraith
of Boston secretary, John. B. Lennon
treasurer.
Gompers made q speech announcing
his satisfaction at being released from
the responsibilities of the presidency.
and declaring he would fight harder for
Mcbride than he ever had for himself
New York was chosen ss ths place for
the next meeting by vote OF 1885 to
658 for st. Louis.
Delegate Lennon moved that two frs
ternal delegates be sent to the British
trades congress to be held in Cardiff,
Wales. This was carried, and Samuel
Gompers, p. J. Mef1uire and P. II.
Penna were placed in nomination. The
vote resulted as follows Gompers 1747,
Mcclure 1139, Penna $40. On motion
OF Penna the choice WAS made unani-
nous. Secretary Evans read q telegram
sent by the officern OF the federation Of
labor notifying John Mcbride of his
election as president of that body.
The special committee appointed to
draft resolutions on the MCCLURE sea-
mans rights bill, now before congress,
reported resolutions providing that a
committee of three, one of whom should
be Q member OF the Seaman's union, to
70 to Washington to lobby; asking
John Burns to give the matter atten-
tion in his meetings in America urging
local unions to call upon their congress.
men to favor the bill. The report was
agreed to. The committee on resolu.
tions continued its report. A resolu-
lion was adopted against the Baltimore
currency plan; as was one opposed to
'sweat shops" and recommending laws
to abolish it. Providing for engrossed
resolutions Of esteem to be presented to
John Burns and r. Holmes. the English
fraternal delegates opposing an alleged
movement to secure an extension of the
maritime employment laws to cover
railroad and other labor contracts on
land; favoring the s. hour day; favoring
the Liberation of Hugh Dempsey, now
In the Pennsylvania penitentiary on ao-
count OF his connection with the Home.
stead strike, and alleging that one of
the prosecuting witnesses had since
acknowledged that he was bribed pro-
viding for committee to work for direct
legislation by means of the referendum
in each state demanding national law
providing that no bonds be issued with-
out special law originating In the lower
house of congress.
A resolution oritioising the report of
the national strike commission and ia
voring ths government ownership of
railroads WAS reported unfavorably by
the committee, but ID was re.referred to
the executive council.
The following telegram from Presi-
dent-eleot Mcbride was read before the
convention:
CONVENTION FEDERATION OF LABOR
Please thank the delegates in my name
for the high honor they have conferred
upon me, and assure them that shall
aim to do my duty faithfully and fear
lessly, and hope to be able to reflect
credit upon my administration and upon
the American Federation OF Labor,
JOHN MCBRIDE.
In regard to the work OF the oonven-
tion, President Gompers said: II think
the general work OF the convention is
highly satisfactory and l regard the
outlook as equally so. The determines
ton of the federation to direct their
efforts to securing an eight hour day in
1896 will have good effect. Personally
feel relieved at the selection of q man
to succeed me in the arduous duties
OF the presidency. John Mcbride
is good man. and while
he will no doubt meet with the usual
obstacles of q new official, the hearty
cooperation that he will receive from
myself and other retiring officers will
tend to make his work as easy as possi-
BILE. l ask and shall continue to aak
every person who has been and is still
my personal or official friend to give Mr..
Mcbride their undivided and unquali-
fed support.