The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-10
TO ADVANCE LABOR
AMERICAN FEDERATION IN SESSION
IN NEW YORK CITY.
Vice President Mcbride Denounces the
Adninistration's Financial Course-Ad-
vocates Recognition of the Cubans-
Crificises the National and state Con-
situations as Not Being Adapted to Con-
serve the Rights of Present-Day People
-Agitstor Swinton Speaks - Father
Ducey Represents the Pope.

New York, Dec s.s-The fifteenth an
nual convention of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor began in Madison
Square garden today. Delegates were
present from all over the United States,
Canada and Great Britain.
Vice President Mcbride presided and
introduced ]. W. Sullivan of Typogra-
phfca1 Union No. s. whi delivered the
address Of welcome. The report of the
president, secretary and treasurer were
read and referred.
President Mcbride then read his an
nual address, occupying the floor fully
half an hour.
THE greatest crime Of the nineteenth
century" he charged, was that COM
mitted by the present national admins
tration in adding to the bonded indebt-
edness of the country during time OF
peace" He charged that the people
had been deliberately and numerically
robbed in the interest Of eastern bank
ers.
The speaker had warm word TO say
for the Cuban patriots, and he urged
the convention TO adopt resolutions pc
titfoning congress to ct least recognize
them as belligerents.
In conclusion the speaker turned his
attention to state constitutions. He
declared that the constitution of the
nation and the constitutions of many
of the states stood today as a monu-
m.ent of the past greatness and grand
ness of our country.
To PROTECT DEAD MEN.
He said these constitutions We're made
for the purpose of protecting men and
methods now dead, and were not suit
ed for the changed industrial conditions
and improved mental status of the
present time. Hence the common peo-
pie, if they would better their conii-
tfon, shoulod turn their attention TO the
cutting away of these constitutional
barriers which invalidate Legislation
enacted in the peoples interest.
The chairman then introduced Labor
Asitator John Swinton, who spoke in
part as follows:
The federation of Labor is a power
in the United States. 1t is made UP of
men who make all things and are the
natural owners thereof. I take much
pleasure in seeing the English repre-
senta tives. I hope that this asSocia-
tion will send delegates to all parts of
the earth as well as have foreign dele
gates present at our conventions. There
is much Ito learn from the British as
Sembly. The union has done great
things, having advanced the price Of
labor and secured recognition in par
lfament.
1.-The largest thing in orga nized labor
is the act and fact of organization 1t
has grew from nothing, being in its
early days kicked and sneered. By
hard work IL has won the right of eXis-
tence and you must maintain ii under
penalty of death. Fifty years ago there
was little need of organiZa ton, for there
was work for all. Times, however, have
changed. Another thing is the right to
strike against wrong. 1t used to be
more unlawful Ito strike than now.
Since that infamous Judge Woods
mounted the bench and the government
SENT the militia to Chicago, there is a
change.
IF THERE WE'RE MORE.
IF there were no labor organizations
wages would be half, hours half as long
again, and capital would rule.
How can you meet the questions of
the changed times? How can you COM
bat the LAW? If you pass resolutions it
will ram them down your throat There
are many other questions, such as the
big rnonopolies. They will have TO be
met by such a body as this"
Father Ducey was then introduced
and said:
II am here because the pope wants
me to be. If some of you do not. In
1891 an encyclical was issued by the
pope in regard to labor, and il is my
duty as a minister to be present where
slcsh matters arise. What Mr.. Swim
ton has said is perfectly true"
A Ir,ass meteing under the auspices or
the American Federation Of Labor was