The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-12-19


force before 1873 regardless of the action of
any other nation.
Delegate Thomas ]. Morgan, of Chicago,
offered an amendment that the silver mines
be secured as the property of the govern
ment before the adoption of the resolution.
He received no second.
bic because he said it assumed that all the
trouble in this country due to the de-
monetization of silver. and moved to strike
out all except the bare declaration for the
re-enactment of the law.
Mr.. Lloyd made strong speech in favor
OF his resolution in its entirety. He favored
lie money, but believed the restoration of
silver would be a temporary alienation of
existing evils.
The consideration of that part Of the mat
ter was deferred until after the report of
the committee on conference. With this
amendment the report was adopted. Pres
ident Gompers read dispatch from Cnica-
go containing an alleged interview with E.
Y. Debs, in which he denied having asked
Gompers explained that he had never stated
such thing. Said he: When, during the
Chicago conference, l asked him. What
would you have the Federation of Labor
do? he said, If l were in Your place
would order the workngmen Of America to
walk out -
rvs report submitted and adopted
1T recommended the setting aside OF 10
fund, and that deficit of sl,271 in that fund
be replaced from the general fund.
DENVER, Col, Dec IA red-hot fight
broke out in the convention hall of the
American Federation of Labor today over
the political program submitted by
the last previous convention to the vari-
Gus unions.
John F. Tobin. of the boot and shoe
workers asserted that the presidents, sec
retaries and other officers OF the labor or
CARNATIONS use their positions to secure
political election and Appointment. Objec-
ton came at once from a dozen men, in
Guiding President Gompers and Secretary
Evans. Mr.. Tobin remarked that such a
SHOW of feeling was all tne proof he
wanted that his snot had hit the mark
President GOmpers denounced a lie the
general charge which had included him and
dehed Mr.. Tobin or any other delegate to
point out to vulnerable place in his
career as to honesty. He charged that it
was cowardly attack upon organized
labor.
Immediately after the convention assem-
pied today letter from Gov. Waite was
read. 1t was characteristic document
touching on the action of President Harri-
son and President Cleveland in calling out
the federal troops for the settling of labor
and other troubles and urging workingmen
TO unite in political action.
THE POLITICAL PROGRAM.
At 1 o'clock the political program"
which was submitted by the last conven-
ton to the various unions to be acted
upon by them and then by the Federation,
was taken up. 1t follows:
Whereas, The trade unionists of Great
Britain have, by the light of experience
and the logic Of progress. adopted the prin-
clple 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
"a cd he fojJ
wit:
Compulsory education: direct legislation;
a legal S-hour working day; sanitary in
Spection of workshops, mines and homes;
liability Of employers for injury to health,
body or life: the abolition Of the contract
system in all public work; the abolition of
the sweating system; the municipal owner
ship of street cars and gas and electric
plants for public distribution of light, heat
and power; the naturalization of tele-
graphs, telephone, railroads and mines; the
ownership by the people of all means of
production and distributions; the principle of
referendum in all legislation; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the convention hereby in
dorse this political action of our British
comrades; and
Resolved. That the program and basis
or political labor movement be and is
hereby submitted for the consideration of
the labor organza tons of America, with
the request that their delegates to the next
annual convention OF the American Fedora
ton of Labor be instructed on this most
important subject.
The preamble was stigmatized by Mr..
Strasser bold misreprese nta ton This
brought Mr.. Morgan. author of the plat
form. to his feet with very spirited re-
Joinder. Mr.. Strasser moved that the pre-
amble be stricken out. II was claimed that
the labor unions OF England had no politi-
cal organization. john f Tobin, of the
boot and shoe workers.
STIRRED Up A STORM
when he asserted that there was a politi-
cal organization among laborng men, and
that presidents and secretaries and other
officers of the labor organiZa tons use their
positions to secure political election and
appointment. Objections came from a
dozen men, including President Gompers
Secretary Evans and other fedora ton Off
GERS. Mr.. Tobin remarked that such show
of feeling was all the proof he wanted that
his shot had hit 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 included him, and
defied Mr. Tobin. Mr.. Morgan or any other
delegate to point to vulnerable place in
his career as to honesty. He charged that
it was cowardly, covert attack upon or
ganized labor. He was mad clear through
and his words were very bitter. Others
followed in mder vein, but
occupied by Tobn and Gompers showed the
nature of the fight between the supporters
and opponents OF the socialistc plan
P. ]. Mcguire denied that the action of
the English laboring men politically was
based upon the planks given in the "politi-
cal program" He read extract from an
English newspaper which charged John
Burns with acting decoy for the
Liberal party. He denounced the attempt
to force the federation into a political
party. Each member had been assured upon
joining his union that its pledges should
not conflict with his political views in any
particular. He said the 200 labor leaders
of Great Britain who were holding munich
pal offices are greatly outnumbered by their
American brethren in similar positions
AT II o'clock the previous question was
called for, and the roll call resulted in the
striking out of the preamble by vote of
1866 to SO1, vote was then taken on
plank / without debate. 1t was adopted.
The convention decided to consolidate
blanks and II, making the plank read:
Direct legislation through the referen-
dunn" 1t was adopted.
Delegate Strasser offered an additional
plank demanding the repeal of the
OBJECTIONABLE LAWS
regarding seamen. He wanted it made
one of the leading planks. Delegates ia
vorng plank 10 saw in the motion an at
tempt to change the numbering Of the
plank so as to sidetrack their favorite.
Discussion this subject was unfinished
when, al $780, recess was taken.
On the reassembling of the convention n
r. Hysell, of the mine workers, moved
that "a committee of three be appOinte6 To