The Washington times., 1894-04-30
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH.

The American Federation Of Labor at its
ever put forth by any representative labor
body on this continent. The Federation jumps
right into the political field and makes no bones
about it. Besides insisting in the strongest
terms on the naturalization OF all natural
monopolies, the International Typographical
Unions position regarding governmental
ownerhsip was seconded after the following
emphatic fashion:
Whereas, The telegraph, like the postal sys-
TEN, is a means for the dissemination Of intelli-
gence among the people, and one which in its
earliest history was constructed, owned, and op-
Grated under the supervision Of officers Of the
government; and
Whereas, Since its passage from public to pri-
vate control 1t has grown to be one Of the most
odious and tyranical monopolies with which the
people are affiicted, which EFFORTS from an un-
willing, helpless, and long suffering public div
idends on four or five times its real value, and
the management of which is notoriously inefi-
cent, expensive, and demoralizing; and
wheras, The International Typographical
Union, an organization forming part of this body,
at its last session unanimously resolved on an
aggressive movement In favor Of restoration TO
governmental ownership and control Of the
telegraph systems Of the country; therefore
he It
Resolved, By the American Federation Of
Labor, representing the organized trade and
labor unions of the United States, that in taking
this stand the International Typographical
Union has the cordial and earnest support of
this body and of the various organizations of
which it is composed: and be it further
Resolved, That the president of this fedora
tion be directed Immediately on adjournment of
this session, 10 communicate with all the various
International national, and central labor unions,
and also with all state and local federations,
titled TO representation in this body, informing
them Of this action in order that each may i'm
press upon Senators and Representatives in
Congress the necessity for the speedy enactment
Of this measure of reform into law, and that said
International national, and central labor unions,
and state and local federations be requested to
appoint subcommittee to cooperate with and
place themselves in communication with the
International typographical Union committee
at Washington; and be it still further
Resolved, That we, the delegates present at
this session, pledge ourselves, on returning to
our homes to inaugurate an energetic campaign
in furtherance of this measure, not only among
our respective organizations but also in the COM
munities in which live, and that our best
efforts will be directed to compass the defeat of
all candidates for legislative positions, national
and state, who will not unqualifedly pledge
themselves to support governmental ownership
and operation OF the telegraph.
Resolved, That copy of these resolutions,
signed by the president and secretary and
attested by the seal Of this Federation, be for
warded to the President of the Senate and
Speaker of the House of Representatives at the
national capital
A few years ago the passage Of such reso-
lutions. which were adopted unanimously,
the only objection raised being that they were
not sufficiently radical, would have disrupted
the organization. Workingmen no longer
stand in awe of united political action, for
they realize that by this course only can any
of the reforms demanded be accomplished.
And the men who gave to the world the
above resolutions are terribly in earnest, as
the politicians may learn later on.