Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-20
Mr.. GOMpERS EASILY DEFEATED

A surprise at thu MeNtinS Of tho Amori-
eau Federation of Labor-Jobn McIirida
Elected President over Samuel Conn
pers--1ho Luttar Teicgraplis Congratu-
lations 90 tho Now President.
DENVER, Coll. Dec ia great surprise
was sprung upon the world of organized
labor to-day by the election of John
Mcbride Of Ohio, TO succeed Samuel
Gompers us president of the American
Federation OF Labor. After the National
Convention Of the Federation had decided
to remove the orders headquarters FROM
New York City to Indianapolis, Ind, the
voting for president was begun. Some
indication OF what might be expected WIS
furnished on the choice of headquarters.
This had been narrowed down to Wash
ington and Indianapolis, and between
apois, 30; Washington, 92G.
The election of president was then taken
up. Mr.. Gompers was nominated by Mr..
EiukhpT. the nomination being seconded
by Mcssrs. cohen, Daily and McGraith.
Then John Mcbride, president Of the
United Mine Workers, was named. These
were the only nominees, and the result of
the vote was: Mcbride, l,l62; Gcmpers,
13I.
President Gompers moved to make the
vote unanimous for Mcbride, but oojec-
liuu was made. Gompurs at once dis
patched the following message to Nc
Bride. who is i'll at his home IN Columbus,
Ohio:
Congratulations election president Fedora
lion. None will he more loyal than ! 10 aid
and make your administration su .cessiul.
SAtluEL GOAPER5.
IIE ACCEPTS THE HONOR.
Later, Mr. Mcbride wired as follows his
acceptance of the Office:
Please thank tho delegates III my name for
the high honor they have conferred upon me.
Assure them that i shall aim TO do my duty
faithfully and fearlossly, and hope 10 be able
10 rotlCcb credit upon my administration and
upon tho american Federation OF LABOR
For first vice.presidcnt, Mrs. 4. J. Nor
gan of Chicago, and r. j. Mcguire Of
Philadelphia, wcrn nominated, the vote
being $50 for Mcguire; 22B for Mrs, Nor
| gan. The election was made unanimous.
| James Duncan of Baltimore, was made
second vice. president by u vote of 2.lsj to
| 60 for Charles Reichtold Of Il. louis, who
| was said to be connected with the Knights
| of Labor.
For third vice-president james Brettell
and Roady kenechnn of Denver, were
nominated. The result was Brcttcll, I5O;
kcGcchan. III.
| AT the afternoon session Samuel Com
pers and L. j. Mcclure were selected us
| fraternal delegates 10 the Trades Union
Congress OF Great britain. \. Furncsth
| of san Francisco, and Adolph Strasser OF
| Buffalo, were appointed for the Con
| gressional committee work.
The Committee on Resolutions reported
favorably ON Il number Of resolutions as
| follows:
COndemning attempts to secure land for
| transportation lines: the Involuntary AervItIde
laws now applying 10 tho maritime tritdc: Ia
| restrict transient, provincial Immigration by
| national legislation; opposing the Baltimore
plan of financial legislation: 70 secure state
| ieglslat on 10 abolish tho sweating system; de-
declaring tor work day uf not mole than
eight hours: advocating tho liberation oil
Beatty and Dempsey, Homestead strikers now
in tho Allegheny POntentiary; urging the
adoption OF tho referendum In national and
| state legslatiOn; cOndelnning tho padrone
system Of labor employment; against black
listing Of railway employees against further
bond issues. unless specifically authorized by
tho lower house OF Congress.
CAREER OF JOHN M'BRIDE.
John Mcbride, as president Of the United
Mine Workers last spring, conducted with
moderation and ability the miners STRIKE
that resulted in the American Railway
Unions more radical and violent strike
later in the season. lie was formerly
labor commissioner of Ohio. He is Al
years of age, and was born in Ohio. He
is well-educated, fluent and leveliaeuded
and has ooen a president of national Ol
State organizations for about 10 years. He
has been in the Legislature of Ohio, anC
was Il candidate for State Senator ant
Secretary of State. He was u friend oi
Powderly in the Knights of Labor, unC
came near defeating Gompers for presi
dent of the Federation of Labor at Chicago
last year. He is an advocate of compulsory
arbitration, and probably the foremost dc
batter on that subject in labor circles.