New-York tribune., 1895-12-11

MRS. MDONALD-VALEST AND MISS FAIR
VIEW BEFORE THE FEDERATION.
JOHN MBRIDE EXoNERATED FROM THE CHARGES
PREFERRED AGAINST HIM-REsoLUTIONs

JOHN BRIDE EXoNERATED FROM THE CHARGES
PREFERRED AGAINST HIM. RESOLUTIONS
OF VARIOUS KINDS OFFERED.
The interesting feature of the second days session
OF the American Federation OF Labor, which was
called to order at $50 o'clock yesterday morning by
John Mcbride. the president. In the assembly y-rooms
or Madison Square Garden, was the presence Of two
women speakers who held the attention OF those
present the greater part of the day. 1t truly
womans day at the meeting. although special
time had been set apart for discussions and ad-
dresses by women. The speakers were Mrs. Eva
McDonald-Valest. the labor editor Of THE Mime
apolis Tribune" and Miss Florence Farvew Be
sides the addresses. the only important business be-
fore the convention was the reading OF large
batch Of resolutions which offered for ap-
proval, the report OF the Executive Council and the
report Of the Committee on Credentials.
Mrs, McDonad-Vaest said that she and her hus-
band were going to Europe for the purpose OF study
Ing labor conditions there. 1--WE propose to see the
Continent on bicycles" continued the speaker,
and to live among the working people. Letters VIII
be sent to the Federation relating experiences.
vote OF thanks rendered Mrs. Mcdonald
Valest and a resolution that she be paid for the
proposed letters carried Mrs. Mcdonald
Valest objected the resolution, but 1t passed
in spite OF her desire TO have 1t rejected.
Miss Florence Fairview read poem denouncing
the alleged oppression Of labor. Her remarks were
10 the eUeCt that the W0rkinSmen knew Nnat tHcy
were striving for although the contrary was gener-
ally believed. The workingmen, she said, wanted
the earth and all of It's fruits. and had been trying
TO obtain their rights for generations. Sne con-
tended that the workingman would acquire what
righttully belonged 10 him until ne got the women
70 help him. Referring to womans suffrage Miss
posed to try to vote for Federal ofcers She told
OF her efforts In the cause Of organized labor ana
she asked the recognition OF the Federation OF LABOR
as an organizer and A worker. She Indignantly de-
MED charge which was recently made against
her that she had used the labor organizations as
mearS of making money. and said that she hat
supported herself while working for the labor In
terest. She expressed herself being glad because
or the opposition to her efforts. for by II she had
gained much experience and had been taught not
only how to deal with women, but with men.
She wanted to see, she said, the workinSmen ana
women OF this country thoroughly organized that
given signal every needle, every wheel. every
plane, every Implement of labor would become idle
until the working classes obtained what they de-
manded She asked the careful attention Of the Fed
Grafton TO the prison contract laws. She urged the
Federation to support effort 10 raise the age or
consent 10 twenty-one years.
Resolutions were offered calling the attention OF
the President OF the United States TO the alleged
fragrant violation OF the eght-hour law by Govern
ment officials especially OF the Treasury Depart
preferred against the Secretary OF the Treasury Tor
failure to live up to the law and that the charges
be sent President Cleveland They also call for
the free and unlimited coinage of silver at ratio
its object the Endorsement by the Federation of the
effort of the International Union OF HorseshOers TO
secure a nine-hour work day.
A member OF the Executive Council reported that
ferred by Mark Wild against John Mcbride, and
that he had received no evidence to show that Nc
Bride had betrayed the interest OF organized labor
or been guilty of corrupt practices. as alleged