The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-12-22
John Mcbride Elected President
Of the Federation.
A SPEECH BY Mr.. GOMPERS
indianapolis to BE the Permanent Head
quarters, and New York the Next
Place of Meeting.


more business today than in any pre-
ceding day. The members had expend-
ed their surplus energy in discussing the
merits of the political program and
| were ready to do business. There were
/ some surprises in today's action, the
| most important of them being the de-
feat of President Gompers for re-elec-
ton. 1t had been known that an effort
was being made to displace him, but
when the convention adjourned on Sat
urday night, it was not believed it
would succeed. Sunday, however, was
devoted to electioneering by the Nc
Bride contingent, and when the dele
gates came together this morning it
was generally understood that Comp
ers would be retired. His election as
fraternal delegate to the British labor
congress was intended as a sort of evil
dence that the convention recognizes
his loyalty, while questioning his abil-
ity to best serve the federation as its
president. The selection of Indianapo-
lis as the national headquarters was
also in line with the idea of a general
revolution in the federation. 1t was a
declaration by the western delegations
that they propose hereafter to control
the organization. 1t is expected that
the work of the convention will be fin
ished tomorrow
MORNING SESSION.
The delegates to the convention of
the American Federation of Labor were
nearly all in their seats when the roll
was called today. gThe first business
was to determine the future location of
the headquarters of the federation.
Indianapolis and Washington were the
only contestants today. The vote re-
suited: Indianapolis 1890, Washington
926 A motion to make Indianapolis the
location for three years was amended to
make 1t five years, and referred to the
committee on laws.
The election of officers was then taken
up. Samuel Gompers and John Nc
Bride, president of the United Mine
Workers, were the only candidates for
president. The vote resulted: Mcbride
1,l62, Gompers 9S7. 1t was evident at the
start that the question had been set
tied so far as the individual members
were concerned. The vote proceeded
without incident, except that several
delegates announced that they voted
against Gompers by instructions from
their unions. President Gompers made
a motion to make the vote unanimous
for Mcbride, but objection was made
Gompers at once wrote and dispatched
the following message to Mcbride, who
is now i'll at his home at Columbus:
John McBride-COngrat on
your election as president of the fedora
ton. None win be more loyal than l
to aid and make your administration
successful.
SAMUEL GOMPERS."
For first vice president, T. ]. Morgan
of Chicago and Mr.. Mcclure of Phila-
delphia were nominated. The vote was:
1865 for Mcguire, 226 for Mr.. Morgan
The election was made unanimous
James Duncan of Baltimore was made
second vice president by a vote of 1875
to go for Charles Rechtold of st. Louis,
who was said to be connected with the
Knights of Labor. For third vice presi-
dent, James Bechtell and Rhody Kene-
han of Denver were nominated. The
result was: Bechtell 459, Kenehan LIZA.
Harry Lloyd of Boston, w. d. Mahon of
the street car employees and Il. ID. FL
derkin of the Seamen's Union were
nominated for fourth vice president.
The result was: Elderkin 753, Mahon
1OS, Lloyd 773. No election. Lloyd with
drew his name and on the second vote,
Mr.. Elderkin was elected, the vote be-
ing; Elderkin 1918, Mahon 91S.
The election of secretary being the
next in order, Daily was called to the
desk, J. w. Brentwood of Denver, ].
Malcolm Burns of Philadelphia, A. Nc
Craith of Boston, Richard H. Metcalf of
indianapolis, Chris Evans, the present
incumbent, and j. ]. Linehan Of Chi
cago We're nominated. Evans withdrew
on the ground that he represents the
mine workers and a member Of his or
ganization had been elected president.
Brentwood withdrew in favor of Nc
Craith, both representing the Typo
graphical Union. There being no cleo
ton on the first ballot, another vote
was ordered, and McCraith was elected.
For treasurer, John B. Lennon was
elected by reclamation.
A SPEECH BY GoMPERS,
Gompers took the floor and announced
his satisfaction on being relieved from
the responsibility of the presidency of
the organization. He said that he had
been made an old man in his compare
tive youth by the burdens of the Office,
but felt that he represented a principle !
and would not lie down. He preferred !
to be moved down. He regretted no |
act of his official career. He reviewed |
his allegiance to the federation. If he |
had met defeat in the Chicago conven- |
ton, he would have gone out of the con-
yention broken-hearted. Now he felt |
He read his telegram to |
Mcbride, saying: II meant that, and if /
nv man on. mar, rhn,nIa I'm a.. .l..nr