The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-07-19
FEDERATION OF LABOR
DECIDES NOT TO ORDER ITS
MEMBERS OUT.
Consider the Pullman Strike Purely a
Local Matter and Foresee Innevita-
BILE Defeat in Bolstring up
Debs' Position.


of Labor will not advise general
strike, Alter lengthy discussion
last night through the greater portion
of the night an addresses was pro-
mulgated advising the members of the
Federation to remain at
work. The morning session
was a lively one. Several members
favored a general strike, but the ma
iority was against such move. When
the conference reassembled at the af-
ternoon session the committee pre-
sented for adoption an address to the
public. President Gompers read it
quite impressively. P. Morrissey,
vice grandmother of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen, and w. Arnold,
secretary of the Brotherhood of Fire
men, made stirring speeches
in opposition to the endorse.
ment of Debs and the course
pursued by the American Railway
union. P. J. Mcclure, first vice presi-
dent OF the Federation of Labor, urged
that the Pullman strike was purely
local aud should be dealt with by the
people Of Chicago, A resolution was
adopted condemning both the Demo
cratic and Republican parties and
pledging support to the PJpulists.
The address a. finally adopted is as
| follows:
The following address to the public
was issued after long discussion:
"Ihe great upheaval now agitatlng
the country has been carefully, calmly
and fully considered in a conference
OF the executive council of the FEEDER
alton of Labor and of the executive
officers and representatives of the ma
tional and International unions and
brotkerhoods of railway unions called
to meet in the city of Chicago on July
liz, 1894. In the light of all
the evidence obtainable, and in view
of the peculiar complications now en-
yeloping the situation, were are
forced to the conclusion that the best
interests of the unions affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor
demand that they refrain from partlc-
ipsting in any general or local strike
which may be proposed in connection
with the present troubles.
In making this declaration we do
not wish it understood that we are in
any way antagonistic to the labor or
CARNATIONS now struggling for right,
but rather to the fact the present con-
test has been beset with complications
| ;aL
that we cannot consistently advise q
course which would but add to the
confusion. The public press, ever
alive to the interest OF corporate
wealth, have with few exceptions 60
maliciously misrepreseDted matters
that in the public mind the
working classes are now arrayed III
open hostility to federal authority
This ia position we do not wish to be
placed in, nor will we occupy it with
, out o protest. We claim to be Of
patriotic and law abiding as any Other
class of citizens, a claim sustained 10y
, our actions in time of public need ano
public peril
"By misrepresentation and duplic-
ity certain corporations assume tina
they stand for law and order anC
those opposing them represent law
lesspess and anarchy. We protes
against this assumption as we protes
against the inference that because
certain Individual or q class enjoy
monopoly in particular lines OF trad
or commerce that it necessarily folio "
that they are entitled to monopol.
Il in Loyalty and good citizenship, IN
| WAN
of deliberation and depend
= upon the voluntary and sover
Il eigu action of lis memo ers; 1t !
! democratic in principle and action
T. conservative in its demand and con
9 aistent in its efforts to secure them
: Industrial contests cannot be entered
: into at the behest of any iudivldua
q officer If this conference regardless
h the position ne may occupy III cur OF
N gsniZ ttiOD,
!, "SGrikes in our affiliate orgauiza
!, ti0na are entered into only az a las
- resort aud after all efforts for peace
- able adjustment have failed and the
~ oniy alter members have by thel
votes, usually +, curing Il two third
and three-fourJus vote 20 20 decide
The trades uni0a movement has Il
Id origin in ecOn9mic aud social iDJu
Ia tice. 1t has its history, its struggle
re and rs tendency w:ll defined,
Is stand as the protector nt those WI
De see the wrongs and Injustice result
ant from our present Industrial syste
and who by organization manife
=, their purpose OF becoming lart
of of sharers in the product OF their lab,
its. and who, by their eff ris, contribu'
towards securing the unity and soli'
m ity Of the labori1g forces, so in Il
ever present contest Of Of the veal
producers 10 conquer their rigb
from the wealth sb7orDers, we ms
by our intelligence and perststent
by the earue-tness Of our purpos
the nobility of our cause, work o
. through revolutionary methods 1
d hrsl emancipation Of labor.
~ "While we may not have the pow
~ 10 lraer astrike Of the working pc
81 ule olour country. We are fully ava