New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-18
GOUpEES'S SUCCESSOR.

GONPERSS SUCCESSOR.
The delegates of the American Federation ~
Labor ~ the Denver convention reached III"
mos, important stage in their proceedings yes
trr,lay. and elected John Mcbride president "l
fine Federation in place If GonpcrS. This acton
no doubt was exceedingly disappointing To III"
incumbent Of that important Office for obvious
REASONS II WAS humilia,ing also. for he Wa
determined candidate for reelection. ana ms
defeat seems To imply that the minority against
him WA. Influenced To some extent hy III" pas
sinnatc declaration Of II dcc:ai" Il few days ~"
that the organization. like others 81 Shl'r
character. was managed primarily for the bcn'-
fl Of thc officer. Mr. Gompcrs vigorously re-
scented the accusation and IL is only far I" say
that no convincing evidence has been Submiiirh
to show that he h,s consciously used his author
itv to nromotc his own comfort and prosperity
unduly: though II Is perfectly lust to add ihat
labor ORGANIZATIONS do frequently seem 10 con
fer greater benefits ON those who mi>manaGc
them than OH those who obey their orders
The election Of a leader by 50 large and i'm
porranl Il body of laborins men Is matter on
general public concern tn" new president ~
the Federation * the president Of the niicI
Mine Workers. ana his defeat Of Mr. GomprrS
Is a reminder of the great miners strike when
extended over dozen States last June. lhat
diS.raccfu and disastrous coniiici WAS on" 81
the worst outbreaks against law ana d'crn'y
in the history 81 strikes. II produced ~ nninrr
olis points in u wide territory u vrriiahi" rrl-h
~ anarchy. and II was characterized iN con
tinuous manifestations II malignant brutality
It was - quickly succeeded by the D"hs insur
rcciion that the Abom'nablc oulragcS which ac
COMMANDED II were too soon forgotten in m"
progress ~ stlll more important AMI exciting
events But il deserves 10 retain dishonor1hl"
place in the annals ~ labor II BEGAN with fair
cause. excited public sympathy and might have
succeeded in spite 81 - appropriateness had
II not quickly and permanently dcs"ncrai"d into
systematic and revolving violence. ~ the head
OF the union under whose authority ihr strike
was conducted was the new president ~ The
Federation of Labor.
1t il IA duty and Il pleasure 10 say however
that Mr. Mcbride not only disccrncl ~ The out
set the evil tendencies which were rapidly lie
veloping and their inevitable consequences hut
had the courage Ia dcn0unoc in ~ terms the
-coundrcls who were involving their comrades
and their cause IN disgrace. Indeed, his de
nuncaiion was So sharp ~ 10 win for him ~"
decoration Of their curses Moreover. Mr.. Nc
Brides conservatism did not stop with the mcr"
rcbuklng ~ violence H. sought consistently 10
promote m adjustment Of the trouble on a
sensible basis. his Influence and authority con.
trihn,cd largely 10 the hnnl settlement,
and ne took occasion ~ the las 10 tell
the simple truth in plain language about
the hopclcssnc~s ~ proonging NE sirug
gle After that official and authentic OK
! ia. -, up pfl .r fDtI r-,.
was left to the conference which he addressed
but a consent - settle affairs on the terms pro
po.cd Mr.. Mcbride Mt that time appeared TO
advantage I'm more ways than one and not least
by his candid and Indignant assertion that the
first act Of violence In thc contest blasted all ia"
reasonable hopes II the strikers, He incurred
considerable unpopnlarity among the turbulent
and irresponsible members 81 the union, but h"
seems 10 have benefited thereby.
! II Is due therefore. 10 the Federation and 10
! Mr. Mcbride to say that lis new president Il "A
man who has the Sagacity 10 forcsee events the
nrmncss fu provoke hostility In the performance
Of duty and the will and ability Ia tell wholesome
truth M n critical moment. II Is unfortunately less
certain that he possesses in high degree the
faculty ~ command. FOR he did not succeed last
June in imprcssing his own character upon the
organization which he was supposed 10 lead.
nor even In compelling obedience 10 orders. Hut
il Is satisfaction 10 recognize IN" excellent
qualities which are about To b" put NJ the service
! Of the Federation and to express IN" hope that
under his presidency II may avoid the plumbers
which have been 50 discrodilable ana Injurious
TO labor unions In the past and I" realize All
/ the benefits which such an organization "ught
TO confer upon It's members and upon the cOur
| fry