The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-17
GOMPERS DOWNED.
The Opposing Element in the
Federation Of Labor
Elect Mcbride, the Head of the
Mine Workers.
TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.
The Federation RevOlUtiOniZed
at Today's Meeting.
Headquarters Removed from
New York to indianapolis.

DENVER, Dec 1.-THE delegates to
the convention of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor were nearly all in their
seats when the roll was called 0 lay.
The first business was to determine the
future location of the headquarters Of
the federation. On Saturday the cities
of Indianapolis, Detroit, Washington,
Brooklyn and Louisville had been placed
in nomination.
indianapolis and Washington were the
only contestants today The vote
resulted: Indianapolis, 1899; Washing
ton, S26.
A resolution to make indianapolis the
location for three years was amended to
make it five years and referred to the
committee on laws
The election of officers was then taken
up.
Gompers and John Mcbride, president
of the United Nine Workers were the
only candidates for president The vote
resulted: Mcbride 1,16S; Gompers 937
There was no excitement regarding the
election of president. It was evident at
the start that the question had been set
tied far as the Individual members
were concerned. Mr. Gompers was nom
mated by Mir. Eickhof. The nomination
was seconded by Messrs. Ben Daily and
McCraith.
Mcbride was nominated by Mr.. Penna
and seconded by Mr.. Allen. The vote
proceeded without incident, except that
several delegates announced that they
voted against Gompers by instructions
from their various unions.
W E klapetzky voted for Mcbride but
asked to be allowed to withdraw his
vote. He said he had been instructed to
vote against Gompers, and could not
cOnscientiously vote for Mcbride.
Permission was granted
The result of the vote was: Mcbride,
1,162; Gompers, 931.
Pre- snt Gompers moved to make the
vote unanimous for Mcbride, but objec-
tion made.
Mr. Gompers at once wrote and dis
patched the following message to MI
Mcbride. who Is i'll at his home:
"John Mcbride. Columbus, Ohio;
congratulations on election as presi-
dent Of federation. None Will be more
loyal to aid and make your administra-
ton successful SAMUEL GOMPERs."
AIr. GOmpers, who is turned down by
! this convention, is a mem Der of the C. gar
makers union and has held the position
4 Of president Of the American Federation
I of Labor since 1882 From then until
1886 there was salary attached
! to the office This year it was
decided to make the Office permanent
+ one and the salary was fixed at $3.50.
This was raised to $1.SOO in 1892. The
/ first vice president of the federation was
Richard Powers, elected in 1880, the
second was John Garrett, elected IN 1881.
The defeat Of Mr.. GOmpers seems to
/ be due to "A general desire for a change
/ of administration. The mine workers,
with 326 votes. were for Mcbride for
personal reasons; the radical social
istic members felt that Gompers was
| very strongly opposed to them ard
the presidents own action during this
/ convention has done much to defeat him.
/ He was i'll when he came here and his
| rulings have been nOticeabIy arbitrary
and erratic. More than once he has
lost his temper and occasionally be has
reversed his own ruling. The feeling
/ generally is friendly to Gompers. but the
! election of Mcbride is regarded as a
I good choice.
The action of Gompers IN the A. r Z.
| strike undoubtedly had effect 1t
was said by friends of the strikers that
had Gompers supported Debs the
strike would have been won. Others
claim that in declining to order
general strike Gompers simply
recognized the principle of perfect indie
pendence Of the affiIiating unions. His
position has been overwhelmingly en-
| dOrsed by this convention, 50 that it is
not probable that If was a large factor in
his defeat for reelection.
For first vice president Mrs It. ]. Nor
| gan of Chicago and Mr.. Mcclure of Phil
adelphia were nominated The vote was
| 1865 for Mcclure and 226 for Mrs. vi or
gan. The election was made unanimous
/ incumbent was nominated.
Pat McBryde nominated ". d. Mahon
of Detroit, but he declined on account
Of the proximity of his home to Canada
| Mr.. Lennon was elected by acclamation
Alr. Gompers took the floor and an
nOunced his satisfaction upon being re-
leased from the responsibility of the pres
idency Of the organization. He said he
J had been made an old man in his com
parative youth by the burdens Of
the Office, but he 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 renewed his allegiance to
the federation
If he had met defeat in the Chicago
convention he would have gone ont of
the convention broken hearted Now
he felt differently. He read his
telegram to Mcbride, saying: 81 meant
that and if any man or men shall try to
drag down John Mcbride or to strike at
the heart Of the labor union through
John Mcbride. he Will fnd me a harder
fighter for him than 1 have been for
myself
For the place of next meeting of the
federation, New York and ST. Louis were
placed in nomination. The result was,
New York 1886, St Louis 558