Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1894-11-30
Gree ling to Trade UniOnists.

will be held in the Old Chamber of
Commerce, 14th and Lawrence Streets,
Denver, Colo, and will be called to
order at 10 o'clock in the morning of
December 10th, 1894, and continue IN
session each succeeding day until the
business before the convention shall
be concluded.
In inviting the trade unlonlsts OF
America to participate in our conven-
ton, it is not amiss to call your atten-
ton to the fact that the past year has
witnessed strange scenes and incidents,
30 strange that the whole world stood
aghast lest the free institutions OF our
country were about to be shattered.
the rights secured and guaranteed
were to be treated with contempt, and
the liberties CT our people trampled
under foot.
The judiciary yielding to the wealth
and bidding of avaricious corporations,
has, by the fragrant issuance of lnJunc-
tons restraining union men from ex-
ercising their legal and natural right
and furnishing them for contempt,
practically flung to the winds the
right of trial by jury. The right OF
masses o. labor to organize for self
protection is placed in jeopardy; the
courts deciding our organizations to
be conspiracies.
For the first time in the history OF
the country, and in contravention to
all constitutional law and rights, the
Federal troops, in spite and against
the protests of the state authorities,
were sent into several states Ostensl-
bly, to maintain interstate commerce
uninterrupted, but in truth to over
awe workmen engaged III contest III
defense of their rights and to aid their
fellow workers. These facts must re-
ceive our consideration, and In no I'M
certain tones must we declare our po
sition upon them, and our unceaslng
effort for their solution, and the final
emancipation of labor.
For more than year the people OF
our country have been suffering from
great industrial, commercial and
financial crisis. Hundreds of thou
sands of our fellow workers have been
yainly seeking opportunities to earn
their bread by the sweat of their
brows. Though this lack of employ
ment Is in no wise the fault OF tue
workers, yet the unemployed are
mainly dependent upon our efforts for
permanent relief; hence wise legisla-
ton, some tangible, even heroic, ac-
ton OF our convention will be neces-
sary to relieve us from those awful
conditions which confront us. Some
action must be taken by which both
those over-employed ard unemployed
NAV be benefited and relieved of
their burdens.
The failure of Congress to give heed
to the voice and demands of labor in
legislation deserves our greatest
thought.
The effor S to unite labor's forces
must be carried on to successful end.
The programme submitted to the
last convention will be reported upon,
and it will require all the experience,
tact, Judgment, earnestness and hon
esty OF our fellow unionists to take
such action that will protect and fur
ther the interests and welfare of the
wage earners In connection with this
and all other matters which Will be
brought before our convention.
Now IS the time that tries men S
souls" 1t requires all the courage,
virtue and manhood within us to with
stand the fearful havoc the conse-
quences of the monied power, the cor
porate and capitalist class, in their
rush to crafty their avarice and greed.
In this scramble women of labor are
the victims and children the sacrifices.
Even men without organization, with
out Intelligence and without tenacity
of purpose to maintain their rights,
are moved down and crushed beneath
the juggernaut of mammon. The only
hope for the perpetuity of the institu-
tions of our country, the safety OF
women and defense of children, the
protection of our manhood and the
progress of our race, lies In the organ
lzation of the masses of labor. The
demands of the toilers of America can
only find intelligent expression and
become crystalized into laws and hab-
lis of daily life by organization in the
unions of labor and by representation
at the conventions of the American
Federation of Labor.
The representa- ion in the conven-
ton will be upon the following basis
international and national unions with
less than 1000 members, one delegate
for 4, 900 members or more, two dele
gates; for 5000 members or more
three delegates; for 5000 members OF
more, four delegates: for 81, 900 mem
bers or more, five delegates, and SO on
Local, trade or federal labor unions
state federations, central labor unions
trades assemblies or trades councils
one delegate each. All organization.
to be entitled to representation must
have "a certificate of utilization (charter
at least thirty days before the date up
on which the convention is to be held
Any delegate representing a union
must he member of the union, and i
net q craftsman of the trade union
which sends him, the union must Civ,
the reason why such delegate wa.
chosen. Delegates must be elected a
least two weeks before the time O
holding the convention and the name!
of delegates forwarded to the secretary
Immediately.
The per capita tax or delegate tai
must be paid in full to entitle organ