The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-13
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR
Listens to Addresses by SOCIALIST Dele
gates From England.

-~tS~ soti tstlt1
New York. Dec. l2-When the fourth
dsys session of the aCteeu,h annual cen
VenJion cf the American Federation of
Labor opened not over fiftv delegates were
present Several reports were presented.
\ communication from the typesettnE
mschinis1s which asked for shorter
working hours. caused some comment.
The rules committee decided 70 have ths
matter settled hv the convention, IL was
claimed that this bo6y ~ men should
come under the head ~ the typographical
Union or the MachinistS' Union. There
is 70 be a conference Of the various dele
gates interested In these matters tonight.
and decision was deferred antu after that
time.
\ communication was received from
George Francis Train. who desired 70
address the convention. His offer was ac-
cep;e,i
President Mcbride introduced Mrs. Mary
Burt. president OF the Womans Christian
Temperance Union. OF New York. SAe
said she came 20 bring the greeting %
Miss Frances Willard. who through the
delegation took the members 81 the con-
Vent8ou by the hand In kindly sympathy
The Federation of Labor and the W. =
T. L. had many purposes IN common, and
through the well&diTected efforts o. The
Federation this country would take first
rank TN the industrial world. Mrs. Burt
workingmen. and said the federation
should seriously consider X.
Mrs. ]. II. Stuckenherg. national super
intendent Of the department OF temperance
and labor OF the ". G. r l., Of Cam
bridge, Mass. spoke at some length on
the object OF her society. She said the la
boring people had much 10 do TO look after
the liquor questions.
Mrs. Emile D. Martion national super
intendent Of the department Of purity in
literature and art. and Mrs. Frances ].
Barnes. national superintendent OF young
women's work Of the w {. T. T.. spoke
on similar subjects. II was voted 10 have
the speeches OF the first two representa-
tiyes printed in the official organ of the
Federation
Z. J. Convey. the English representative
CT the Miners Union. was then called 30
the platform. lie said he had good news
for the people. and that was that the big
strike Of shphuilders in Scotland had at
last been settled. and the capitalists had
failed. The terms are an increase of
wages now. and again in February. Mr..
Convey said he believed "a unionism. and
because of II he was here. In closing he
said: Il hope the time VIII come when
the English-speaking people shall become
united on one common ground against our
enemy-capital.
J. Mawdsley. the representative who
comes from the Spinners Union of Man
chester. England was then introduced. He
sad he would not talk on sentimental sub
fects. There had been enough Of 1t. lie
felt pretty sure II he were a capitalist ne
would he as wicked as the other capital
lists. And every other man In the hall. he
thought, would be the same. The men
who work for their deliverance should
work on business lines. They should talk
moro about pounds. shilings and pence
than about sentiment II the workinEmen
wanted 20 be on an equal footing with the
capitalists they must get down to a prac-
tical business method In his trade the
workers made liberal subscription week
~ and whenever the employers were
ready TO strike the workers were ready
fer them. Political freedom means noth-
ing for the woTkmen with the business or
glniZ8tion. The speaker deprecated The
differences between the socialists and or
ganizations OF workngmen. He thought
the two organizations might differ as 10
methods of accomplishment. hut their OBJ
iects were practically the same. Why not
work together and adopt tho best means,
no natter by whom suggested. as fast as
they present themselves.
A large number Of resolutions We're re-
ferred 10 committees Among others was
one providing for a petition Ia congress In
favor Of the recognition OF the belligerent
rights OF Cuba. and another protesting
against any legislation that will open tho
way TO sunday labor. The convention adj
lourned until tomorrow.