Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-15
-THG Liz WAS PASSED.
A Red Hot Session Of the American
Federation Of Labor.
POLITICS THE CAUSE OF 1T ALL.
A Delegate Accused Gompers and
Other Labor Union officers
With Using Their Positions to
Secure Political Preferment.
The Platform Presented-Some
Opinions on Debs' Sentence.

DENVER, Colo, December 14.-On
the reassembling Of the convention OF
the American Federation OF Labor to-
day, President GOmpers announced that
John Burns had informed him that it
would be necessary to cancel his en-
gagements at Cincinnati and Detroit, as
he must have an occasional day of rest.
A characteristic letter from Cover
nor Waite was received.
At 10 o'clock the "political pro-
gramme, which was submitted by the
last convention TO the various sessions,
TO be acted upon by them and then by
the Federation, was taken up.
IT WAS AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, The Trade Unionists Of
Great Britain have, by the light OF ex-
perience aud the logic Of progress,
adopted the principle Of independent
labor politics as an auxiliary TO their
economic action; and,
WHEREAS, Such action has resulted
in the most gratifying success; and,
WHEREAS, Such independent labor
politics are based upon the following
programme, to-wit: Compulsory educa-
tion, direct legislation, q legal eight
hour work day, sanitary inspec-
tion OF workshops, mines and
home; liability Of employers for injury
to health. body or life; the abolition Of
contract system in all public work; the
abolition of the sweating system; the
municipal ownership Of street cars and
gas and electric plants for public dis
tribution Of light, heat and power; the
naturalization of telegraphs, tele-
phones, railroads and mines; the owner
ship by the people of all means Of pro-
duction; the principal Of referendum in
all legislation. Therefore be it,
ReSolUed, That this convention here
by endorse this political action OF our
British comrades; and
ResolUed, That this programme and
basis OF political labor movement be,
and is hereby, submitted for the consid-
GRAFTON of the labor organizations Of
America, with the request that their
delegates to the next annual convention
OF the American Federation OF Labor be
instructed on this most important sub
ject
The preamble was stiRmatized by Mr..
Strasser as a bold Misrepresentation.
This brought T. J. Morgan, author OF
the platform, to his feet with very
spirited rejolnder.
MR.. sTRAssER MOVED
that the preamble be stricken out 1t
was claimed that the labor unions OF
England had no political organization.
John 7. Tobin, OF the boot and shoe
workers, stirred up the storm when be
asserted that there was a political or
gsuization among laboring men and that
the presidents and secretaries and other
officers of the labOring organizations
use their positions to secure political
election and appointments. Objection
came from dozen men including Pres
ident Gompers, Secretary Evans and
other Federation officers. Mr.. Tobin
remarked that such show of feeling
was all the proof be wanted that his
shot had nit the mark. he was ap-
plauded by T. ]. Morgan and others.
When he had finished, President
Gompers took the floor and denounced
as lie the general charge which in-
cluded him, and defed Mr.. TObin, Mr..
Morgan or any other delegate to point
TO a vulnerable place in his career as TO
honesty. He charged that it was cow
ardly attack upon organized labor. de
was mad clear through and his words
were very bitter.
Others followed In milder vein, but
- "a mi N -
cupied by Tobin and GomDers showed
the nature Of the fight on the tapis be-
tween the supporters and opponents OF
tie socislistc PLANK.
p. J. INQUIRE DENIED
the action OF the English laboring men
politically was based upon the planks
given in the political programme. :" he
read an extract from an English news
paper. which charged John Burns with
acting as a decoy for the Liberal party.
He denounced the attempt 70 force the
Federation into a political party; each
member bad been assured upon joining
his union that It's pledges should not
conflict with his political views in any
particular.
At - o'clock the previous question
was called for and the roll call resulted
in the striking out Of the Dreamo ole By
a vote of l, Sos 20 sol. A vote was then
taken on plank IL" without debate. II
was adopted. The convention decided
TO consolidate planks ? and II, making
the plank read:
directing legislation through the
referendum.
II was adopted. Recess.
On the reassemblng OF the conven-
tion y. r. Hysell, OF the mine workers,
moved that a committee Of three be
appointed 10 draft resolutions in regard
10 the decision OF the decision Of Judge
Woods aud the Imprisonment Of De6s
and others.
\. r. Hysell, Thomas J. Morgan and
Thomas Tracey were appointed.
Thomas J. Morgan presented chart
10 show the relative numbers snd
wealth Of workingmen, business men,
capitalists add milliOuaires. His speech
was 8 vigorous advocacy OF socialism.
A Eve minute limit bad been made, but
when his time was up half dozen men
volunteered TO give him their time, and
Ee spoke for half an hour.
Thomas ]. Morgan, Of Chicago, said
ln regard TO the Debs sentence: The
deciaion, aside from its immediate ef-
fscis On Mr.. Debs, is a good thing for
the labor movement IL shows what
may be expected from legislatures and
courts that are controlled by capital
lists"
William B. Presesst. president the
Typogra aicai Uslon. said: II sm op-
posed 20 the punishment OF o8e man
for the aeks Of another believe1 thai
the injunation that Debs violated was
against b real legal rights