The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-06-15
LABOR LEADERS.
Semi-Annual Conferences of Or
ganized Labor to Be Held.
An INDEPENDENT VOTE ADVISED.
The Working Masses Should Throw on the
Yoke of Political Partisanship In
Order That Wealth Producers
Should Made Laws.

ST. LOUIS, June 13.-The committee
on resolutions of the conference in ses-
sion here of the leaders Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, Knights of
Labor, Locomotive Engineers, Loco
| motive Firemen, Order of Railway
Conductors and Farmers Alliance was
| late in completing it's work, and as a
result yesterdays session did not begin
until nearly noon, and then behind
closed doors it took up considerable
time in committees reports, which
consisted of six sections.
First-A conference Of representatives Of or
ganized labor Of North America shall be held
semi-annually, the first conference to be held
February -. 1898, in the city Of Washington.
D. c.. for the purpose of considering questions
and devising plans for the protection and ad-
vancement of the toiling masses
Second-The representation in such confer
enceS shall be from the general assembly Of
the Knights of Labor. the American Fedora
tion of Labor. the various brotherhoods, and
orders OF Railway Trainmen, and such national
and international organizations Of wage work.
ers and farmers as are not afiliated with any
OF the aforementioned organizations. Pro-
vided. any such national or international Or
ganization is not organized to antagonfze or to
undermine existing bona fde unions Of the
same trade or calling. Each organization is
entitled to representation in the conference,
provided that the basis shall consist Of three
men for each organization.
Fourth-The officers of future conferences
shall consist of a president, secretary. treas
organization represented.
Fifth-For the purpose Of preventing strife
and antagonism between labor organizations
who declare that there should not be dual
organization or authority in any trade or call
ing and that in all matters of trade conflicts,
boycotts and trade labels the union particular
ly in interest should have absolute authority
and autonomy.
Sixth-Recognizing that corporations and
the moneyed class of the country are dominat-
ing and citating the legislation of the nation,
the state and the municipalities, to the detri
ment Of the interests Of the toiling and wealth.
producing millions, and recognizing, further,
that the power of wealth has subordinated the
executive, judicial and military forces to it's
behest, thus undermining and endsngering it's
constitution and tending to deprive our people
of their cherished liberties. We declare that
the working masses should throw off the yoke
Of political partisanship and vote independent
ly in order that representatives of the wealth.
producers of America may be fully represented
in making and executing our laws.
These resolutions were adopted as
read. Section 5, declaring against
dual organization, provoked much ar
gument, but was finally carried by
vote of IL to 5.
1t was decided to indorse congress
sional bill No. 5,6O3, introduced by Con-
gresham Mcguire, of California. 1t
provides for abolition of involuntary
servitude among sailors shipping from
American ports. 1t was also decided
that each organization represented
submit the proceedings of this conven-
tion to their respective organization
for action, later to report to provi-
SiOnal committee of three empowered
to publish proceedings and arrange for
the next conference to be held in
Washington, d. c., February %, 1895.
Messrs. Sergent, of the Locomotive Fire
men; Mcguire, of the Federation, and
Hayes, of the Knights of Labor were
chosen as this committee.
Mr.. Samuel Gompers then in troduced
the following resolution which was
unanimously adoped:
Resolved. That this conference OF repre-
sentatives Of organized labor OF America has
learned with profound pleasure of the success
full termination Of the efforts of the miners for
improved conditions, and We hereby tender to
the United Mine Workers of America our sin
cere congratulations their victory, and we
urge upon the workers Of our country the ne
cessity and advantages of organizing for COM
mon protection and advancement. to the end
that their share may be large in the products
of their labor, and that they may thus be
greater defenders and promoters Of their rights
and liberties.
A few minutes after o'clock the
conference adjourned sine die.