The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-15

President GOmpers announced that
John Burns had informed him that it
would be necessary to cancel his en-
gagements at Cincinnati and Detroit, as
he must have an occasional day OF rest
The manner OF adopting joint label
for the shoe workers was brought up
with majority and minority reports.
As one of the three organizations unit
ing on the label is affiliated with the
Knights of Labor, the matter was de-
ierred until the committee on confer
ence reports.
A letter from Governor Waite was
received. 1t was characteristic docu-
ment touching on the action OF Presi-
dents Harrison and Cleveland in calling
out the federal troops for the settling oi
labor and other troubles, and urging
workingmen to unite in political nc.
ton.
At 10 o'clock the political pro-
gramme," which was submitted by tho
last convention to the various sessions
to be acted upon by them and then by
the Federation, was taken up.
1t was as follows:
WHEREAS, Ihe trade unionists OF
Great Britain have by the light OF ex-
pericnce and the logic Of progress
adopted the principle OF independent
labor politics as an auxiliary TO their
economic action, and
3, HgREAs. Such action has resulted in
the most gratifying success, and
WHEREAS, Such independent labor
politics are based upon the following
programme, to-wit:
|. Compulsory education.
2. Direct legislation.
3. A legal aIght-hour work day.
4. Sanitary inspection OF workshops,
mines and home.
5. Liability Of employers for injury to
health, body or life. :.
G. The abolition Of contract system in
all public work.
I, The abolition OF the sweating sys-
TEN.
s. The municipal ownership of street
cars and gas and electric plants for pub.
lie dis,r bu ION OF light. heat and power.
Q. lhe naturalization OF telegraphs,
telephones, railroads and mines.
10. The ownership by the people OF
all means OF production and dtstribu'
tion.
II. The principle of referendum in all
legislation.
Therefore be il, RcSolred, That the con.
vention hereby endorses this political
action OF our British comrades. and,
Resoiroj, ruat this pro!ram and basis
of a political labor movement be-, and
is hereby submitted for the consIdera.
ton oi the labor organizations oil
America, with the request that their
dels,ales to the next annual convention
OF the American Federation OF Labor be
instructed on this most important sub
ject. -,
Tho premable was stigmatized by
Mr.. Strasser, as a bold mlsrepresenta'
ton. This brought I. J. Morgan. author
of the platiorm, 10 his feet with a very
spirited reioinder. =,
MIR. Strasser moved that the preamble
he stricken out. 1t WAS claimed that
the labor unions OF England had no
political organization. John L. Iooln,
OF the boot and shoe workers, stirred
up the storm when he asserted that
there was political organization
among laborinG men. aud that tue
presidents and secretaries andi other
officers OF the labor organizations use
their positions to secure political elec'
ton and appointment. Objection came
from dozen men, including President
Gompers, Secretary Evans and other
Federation officers. Mr.. Tobin re-
marked that such show Of feeling waf
all the proof he wanted that his shot
had hit the mark lie was appIauded
by T. j. Morgan and others.
When no had finished President
Go,npers took the floor and denounced
rs lie the genera! charge wh'ch m
cludel him, aud defed Mr.. ToOln' Mr'
Tobin, Mr. Morgan or any other deIe-
gate 10 point to vulnerable place III
hi- career ns to honesty. lie charged
Tint il was Il cowarily, covert attack
upon organized labor lie was mai
clear through and his words were very
bitter. .,,-.- L,,
tho displar during the ten minutes oc,
cunicl by Tobin and Gompers 81 howcd
tho nature OF tho fight on the tapis De,
tween the supporters and opponents oi
the socialiFtic plank. -,
T. ]. McGuiro denied the action oi
the English laborins man politically
was based upon the planks given IN tho
"nolil:cal programme" lie read an
cT,r,ct IRON an Eagish newspaper,
WHICH charged John Burns with acting
os n Iecoy for the Liberal party. lie
IcUoppcel tho attempt to torce the
T,Icration into political party. Elch
,ncmprr had been assured upon joining |
nj. union that its pledges should not
conflict with his political views in any |
particular. ...i,
Al T. o'clock tho previous question,
wns called for and the roll call resulted |
in thc striking out Of tho preamble By |
, vnta of .S6j to sol. a vote was then |
Inton on pinnk "L" without debate. II
wns odoptcd. The convention decided
70 consoiiatc prnnks and II. making
tho blank read: -,
"Drrcrs legislation through til"
rc!crcndum.'
1t wn- adopted.
On tho rc.asscmblnG Of tho conven'
uon. y. Il. lIyscll OF tho Mine Workers,
moved that committee Of three DO ap- !