Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-09-25
THE poPULIsTs. DEFEATED
nv A CONVENTION OF UNION MEN
AZ sEsTEnDAr


tcreEt tnrOuBuout tHc btet' va e
OF the principles involved In the mat
ter upon which It was proposed to
take action, as well as because It was
understood that their action might
have considerable effect IN the coming
elections. As far as could be asoer-
tanned, outside OF tho meeting, which
was held with closed doors. the ma
jority OF the delegates present repre-
scented not the labor unions OF the
state, but the sections Of those unions
which favored taking political action
IN the coming election. so that the
unions as such were not to be bound
by any action they might take. in
other words. the organized labor Of the
state was not responsible for the CON
yentlon or It's proceedings, even though
they might be such as In the Judgment
OF some good union men would be
productive OF good TO the cause. II
seems that there was general division
throughout the state on the broad queg-
ton OF union men going into politics
In my way. Some were opposed 90
taking any political action. In the
case OF some OF the unions their char
tiers forbade thum from engaging In
partisan politics. The delegates were
elected with the understanding In most
cases that they dld not represent the
unions from which they held creden-
tials, but the members OF those unions
who favored political action, as has
been stated
Then these representatives. not ot
union labor, but Of union lnborcrs who
favored political action. having cotton
together tho next question was what
political action they should tnkeS Some
OF them We're Instructed positively
against indoralng the platform OF any
political party II was said. and " this
view should prevail, II was evident that
the political action to he taken must
be confined TO tho Endorsement NJ one
or more candidates whose record had
shown them 10 be friends Of union
lnbor In which case the relative claims
Of individuals TO this distinguished con-
dldcration would have TO be settled
before It could be aacertained who It
was that was entitled to the iudUrne-
ment which WIS proposed
This was the best understanding on
the situation which could he CLEANED
on the outside In the morning and
afternoon.
The proceedings were atrictly private
from the beginning OF the meeting 10
80" NfNNNf 'fN'NhNANlk NANA ANAAlAN lAAAh#
tors as II WAS deemed eNpcdiont to
give out for publication through the
press committee. appointed carly IN the
day, to have charge of the fepOttg. 1t
was very discreet committee. for
they would not permit anything In rec
gard TO tho proceedings OF the meeting
10 escape them during tho day Late
nj night, however, Il was aBcertaincd
that the convention, after q long aud
interesting discussion, which at times
became rather heated. had resolved by
decisive vote not 10 lndorso either the
platform or candidates OF amy particu-
lar political party, either In It's plat
form or candidates Later it was
learned that the question Of the forma-
tion OF platform Of principles repre-
senting the interests OF union labor
was being considered
The resolutions adopted by the meet
ing are interesting covering a Wide
range Of subjects md IN general IN
dlonting a very determined anu-mo-
nup1ly sentiment. Tho first resolution
was the one introduced at tho begin
ming of the evening session in reference
To- tho Endorsement uf political partlca
to which alluslon has been made. It
was presented By the committee on
rules ana was as follows.
mo motion to indorse any eXistlng
political PARTY or any candidate for
NlHVN Hlhl ne llloiacut nut my qucH-
ton nf political policy or social reform
may be introduced and carried"
This resolution was the subject Of
an Interesting ana spirited discussion
before Il was finally adopted. The fol-
lowing resolutions We're then introduce
ed In their proper order ANA adopted
with much careful dellbernuon;
Resolved. that Il Is the sonse Of this
body that this shall be permanent or
garlIntion and shall be known as a
Federation OF Labor OF the different
labor unions OF Texas, and shall meet
either annually or acml-annually.
Resolved, that the executive COM
mite be instructed to prepare ronsti-
tuition and bylaws aud submit Tho
same at the next session.
Resolved, that we denounce tho
practice OF officers throughout Texas
In nrrestlng unemployed mon and wo.
men on charge OF vagrancy, aud put.
ting them 10 work on the streets and
on tho poor firms
And We also denounoo the convict
system In this state.
Resolved that the Labor Federation
In session at Fort Worth, Texas, SEP.
tember, 1871, express their gympathN
for 10. v. Debs In his great trials and
STRUGGLES FOR the freedom OF the work
ing people OF America; denounoe IN,
brutal and Infamous treatment receia,
Resolved. That we denpunce md IN
qunlihedly condemn the ninth ANA TENT
blanks OF the state Democratic plat
.orn.
Resolved, Thut as trades unlenietI
aud laboring mon We regard the stril(l
as n legitimate weapon OF organize,
labor and we regard with alarm an,
with great concern tho attempt ~ an,
political party TO make such action ii
legal, or visit with penal intlietion mn,
peaceful or non-aggresslve action take,
In furtherance OF such atrike: and
Whereas. We believe that the tim
has come when organized labor shout,
aud must combine In some manner I
defeat the encronohments OF organize,
capital. ana we believe that labor chi
only be protected by united action n
the ballot box and
Resolved, That We hereby call upol
all lnborers. organized and morgan
ixed. TO assist uB by every effort posi-
DIG 10 defeat every nominee who en-
dorsoa said action from local officer
up. and we pledge ourselves not 10 al
any such party In amy manner what
ever.
Resolved, That we favor the ellmina
Non OF all speculative ownership o
land or other natural resourcqa. and be
ieve the only practicable means OF &C
complishlng this end "a through IN
concentration OF all taxes on the rentn
value OF such land or natural resource,
a vote was also taken favcyinK IN
government ownership OF railrogdH an
the sub-treasuiy plan,
This vote was the result OF an efror