Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-12-22
GoMPERs BEATEN.
He Is Succeeded as President OF the Amer.
lean Federation by Mcbride.


lean Federation by Mcbride.
DENVER, Col, Dec. 1e..--The delegates
to the convention of the American
Federation of Labor were nearly all
in their seats when the roll was called
Monday. The first business was to de-
termine the future location of the
headquarters of the federation. The
vote resulted: indianapolis, 1,200;
Washington, 926. The election of of
gcers was then taken up.
Mr.. Gompers and John Mcbride,
president of the United Nine Workers,
were the only candidates for presi-
dent. The vote resulted: Mcbride,
1,162; Gompers, 937. President Com
pers moved that it be made unanimous,
but delegate objecting that vote
failed.
Vice presidents were elected as fol-
lows: First, p, j. Mcclure, Philadel-
phia; second, James Duncan, Balti-
more; third, Roady Kenehan, Denver;
fourth, L. j. Elderkin, Chicago; for
secretary, A. McCraith, of Boston.
New York was selected as the place
for holding of the next convention.
The committee on resolutions re-
ported favorably upon number Of
resolutions as follows:
Condemning attempts to secure for trans
portation lines the involuntary servitude laws
of the maritime trade; TO restrict transient
provincial immigration by national legislation;
opposing the Baltimore plan of financial legis-
laton; to secure state legislation to
abolish the sweating system declar-
ing for work day of not more
than eight hours; advocating the liberia
tion of Beatty and Dempsey, Homestead
strikers. now incarcerated in the Allegheney
penitentiary; urging the adoption Of the refer
endum In national and state legislation; con-
demning the padrone system of labor employ
ment against blacklistng of railway en-
ployes; against further bond issues, unless
| specifically authorized by the lower house of
congress.
AT this point telegram from John
Mcbride, who is sick at his home in
Columbus, o., was read, in which he
accepted the Office of president in
terms expressive of his gratitude at
the honor conferred and announcing
his determination to faithfully and
fearlessly perform the duties of the
Office.
John Mcbride has just turned his 4Uth year
He was born and raised in the mining regions
| of northwestern Ohio. Fortunately he secured
a common-school education before he entered
the mines and at IS he became secre-
| tary OF the local lodge OF the Miners and
| Mine LaborerS' Benevolent association
| Shortly afterward he was elected secretary OF
the Tuscarawas Valley Miners association and
at once came to the front as q leader among
men of his craft In 1882 he was elected presi-
| dent of the Ohio Miners association and con-
| tinued ut the head of that organization fol
| seven years. The memorable strike in the
Hooking valley in 1884 was severe test of his
| resources and demonstrated his exceptiona
ability as q labor leader
In 1884 and 1885 he represented Stark county
in the Ohio legislature and secured the en-
actment of number of laws in the inter
| ests of labor. In 1886 he was nominated OF
the democratic ticket for secretary of state
but was defeated. In 1887 he succeeded il
bringing the operators and miners togethe
under an interstate agreement for the main
tenance OF wages, which was abrogated by th
Indiana and Illinois operators in 1882 and wa
revived result of the great strike las
spring In 1880 Mr.. Mcbride retired from activ
leadership among the miners, when the Miners
Progressive union and n. Il. A. 1876, knights O
Labor, were consolidated under the title o
the United Mine Workers of America. H
served as state labor commissioner under Gov
Campbell for two years and in 1893 wa
elected president OF the United Mine
Workers, which position he has since held
Last spring he organized and conducts
the greatest miners strike in the history G
the country, in which upward of 100000 me
were involved, and which was successful be
yond his greatest expectations. He was in
strumental in the organization of the Ameri
can Federation of Labor and presided at tn
meeting in this city in December, 1885, whe
he was elected president, but declined to &C
cept.