The morning call., 1894-12-18
SOP TO GOMPERS.
Sent as a Delegate to
England
FOR SALVE TO HIS HURT.
While Mcbride Is President of
the Federation.
NOT AN UNEXPECTED PRESENT.
The Men Who Followed Him Had
Lost Confidence i'm Their
Old Leader.

tue American feQe1atlon Oh LaDOT ulQ
more business to-day than on any preced-
ing day. The members had expended
their surplus energy in discussing the
merits of the political programme and
were ready to do business to-day. There
were some urDrises in the days action,
the most important of them being the de-
feat of President Gompers for reelection.
l. had been known that an effort was
being made to displace him, but when the
convention adjourned on Saturday night
it was not believed that it would succeed.
Sunday was, however, devoted to cleo
tioneering by the Mcbride contingent and
| when the delegates came together this
morning it was generally understood that
Mr. Gompers would be retired. His cleo
ton as fraternal delegate TO the British
Labor Congress was intended as sort of
evidence that the convention recognized
his loyalty, while questioning his ability
to best serve the federation as it's presi-
dent.
The delegates to the convention were
nearly all in their seats when the roll was
called. The first business was to deter
mine the future location of the head
quarters Of the federation. Indianapolis
and Washington were the only contestants
and the vote resulted: indianapolis 1890,
Washington 926. A motion to make
Indianapolis the location for three years
was amended to make 1t five years and
referred to the committee on laws.
The election of officers was then taken
up. Gompers and John Mcbride, presi-
dent OF the union mine-workers. were the
only candidates fer president The vote
resulted: Mcbride 1162, Gompers 937.
1t was evident at the start that the ques-
ton had been settled so far as the individual
mem bers were concerned, and the vote
proceeded without incident, except that
several delegates announced that they
voted against Gumpers by instructions
from their unions.
Mr.. Gompers at once wrote and dis
patched the folio wing message to Mr.. Nc
. Briae. VINO is now i'll at his home:
John Mcbride, Columbus, Ohio: Congratu-
lations upon your election as president of the
Federation. None Will be more loyal than TO
aid and make your administration successful
SAMUEL GoMPERs.
For first vice-president L. J. Morgan Of
Chicago and Mr.. Mcclure of Philadelphia
were nominated. The vote was; 1866 for
Mcclure. 226 for Morgan. The election
was made unanimous.
James Duncan of Baltimore was made
second vice-president by vote of 21S5 to
60 for Charles Bechtold of ST. Louis. For
third vice-president James Brettell and
Roady Kenehan of Denver were nomi-
mated. The result was: Brettell 459,
Kenehan 1714. Mr.. Elderkin of the Sea-
mems Union was elected fourth vice.
president, the vote being: Elderkin 1918,
Mahon 918.
The election of secretary was next In
order. There were several candidates, A.
McGraith of Boston receiving the most
votes, and his election was made unan-
| imous.
For treasurer John B. Lennon, the in
cumbent, was nominated, and as there
was no opposition be was elected by ac-
clamation.
Then Mr.. Gompers took the floor and
announced his satisfaction upon being re.
leved from the responsibilities of the
presidency of the organization. He said
he had been made an old man In his conn.,
parative youth by the burdens of the Office,
but he felt that he represented principle
and would not lie down. He preferred tC
be moved down. He regretted no act OF
his official career. He reviewed his al.
legiance to the federation. If he had mel
defeat In the Chicago convention he would
have gone out 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 shoul6
try to drag down John Mcbride or tC
strike at the heart Of union labor through
John Mcbride he will find me harder
III, hou
SELF"
For the place for the next meeting New
York and st. Louis were placed In nomi
nation. The vote was: New York, 1885
st. Louis, 555.
Delegate Lennon moved that two frater.
nal delegates be sent to the British trades
congress to be held ia Cardiff, Wales.
This was carried. and Samuel Gompers, P.
J. Mcclure and p FL. Penna were placed
in nomination. The vote resulted as fol
lows: Gompers 1747. MCGUIRE 1139, Penns
$40. On motion of Mr.. Penna the choice
was made unanimous. Secretary Evans
read a telegram sent by the officers of tn.
Federation OF Labor notifying John Nc.
Bride of his election as president of tha
body.
The special committee appointed tc
draft resolutions on the Mcclure seamen's
rights bill, now before Congress. reported
resolutions providing that committee of
three, one of whom should be mem Der of
the Seamen's Union. go to Washington tc
lobby, asking John Burns to give the mat
ter attention in his meetings in America
and urging local unions to call up thei
Congressman to favor the bill. The repor
was agreed TO.
The COMMITTEE on resolutions continued
IT'S report. A resolution was adopted
against the Baltimore currency plan, a:
was one opposed to sweat shops" and
recommending laws to abolish them
| Resolutions were also embodied in the re
port providing for engrossed resolution:
of esteem to be presented TO John Burni
/ and Richard Holmes, the English frater
nal delegates; opposing an alleged move
ment to secure an extension of the mari
time employment laws to cover railroad
and other labor contracts on land; favor
ing an eight hour day; favoripg the libsr