Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-12-14
of system of bonded Indebtedness on the

of system of bonded Indebtedness on the |
part of the government.
1.-THE eastern bankers, if permitted, will |
continue draining the gold reserve until
new bonds replace the old ones and an |
interest-bcaring Indebtedness has been |
again established and the life of the ma
tional banks prolonged beyond the present
generation of men.
"Have we political programme7 This
is n disputed question. The Denver con-
vention, by separate and distinct votes,
adopted IL declarations of political belief
but a motion to adopt as whole was de-
feated, and in consequence of this II is
held by some that the previous declara-
tions were invaldated, while others are
of the opinion that each declaration was
complete in itself and that the motion to
adopt as q whole was superlluous, and It's
adoption or rejection by the convention
could neither add nor take from the decar-
ations previously made. In my judgment
the latter position Is the correct one, but
/ have not been called upon TO render
decision on the question, and to satisfy
those who entertained doubts in the mat
ter ask that you clearly define the posi-
ton you intend to hold along political
lines.
whether the declarations made at the
Denver convention are approved or disap-
proved by you, the self-evident truth con-
fronts us that wage-workers cannot hope
to be free in the shops, mines and factories
while trudging in party slavery to the
polls AS an organization we may decide
to leave politics alone, but unfortunately
for the interests of the organization and
its members, politics will not let us alone,
hence we are compelled, not from senti-
mental, but from purely business stand
point, to consider and act politically In
such manner and along such lines as Will
yield practical results to the trade union
movement in its efforts to ameliorate the
wage-workerS' condition in life.
at,,er qrno
we all agree that reforms are needed and
| 1t should be our purpose at this time to
| act only matters of moment upon
| which all are In hearty accord. and if
| this Is done It will be an easy matter to
| form a plan of action both political and
| cooperative that will succeed in taking
| fro our federal courts powers which
| have lately been arrogated by and not
| delegated to them: to agree upon method
| of shortening the hours of labor, by leg
islation to eight per day, or less. thus.
| enhancing the value of work and wages.
| At this time 1t is not independent party,
| but independent voting that will accom-
| plish benefcient and speedy results. By
| cooperating in the support of men and
| measures favorable to labor interests you
would soon have all parties striving to
secure the votes of organized labor: by
| this method the nationalizing of the means
| of transportation and communication
! could be accomplished and the municipal
ownership of water, heat, light and. %er
| plants be assured"
The secretary reported that during
the year the organization spent for the
defense of miners and other unions, for
the defense of Debs, the lecturing tour
of Burns and Holmes. ETC., $3,467. The
receipts for the year were 1S,943.54; |;
expenses, $16,612.42, leaving balances
on hand October 81, 1895, of $2,331.12
The secretary says: The total amount
contributed to the Debs fund this year
and last was $1,3s6.41. He continues:
"While we cannot report any great APP
parent gains in the field of labor during
the past year, the agitation and eauca-
ton that is progressing along economic
lines is particularly noticeable"
The report of John B. Lennon, treas
urer, shows that the total income dur
ing the year was $1S,943.54; total cx-
penses, S16,612.42; balance in hands OF
treasurer, $2,331.12.
After brief addresses by John Swim
ton and Father Ducey, the convention
adjourned until to-day.
A mass-meeting was held at Cooper
union at night. Samuel Gompers acted
as chairman of the meeting. Mr.. Com
pers made a brief address, in which ht
said that the objects of the convention
of the American Federation of Laboi
were to bring about unity of action be
tween the trades unions of the country
and To decide what might be best to ad
vance the interests of the toilers of thu
country.
The chairman then introduced JohI
Mcbride. president of the American
Federation of Labor, who talked abou
! the liberties of the people and com
) pared the cause of the Cubans now t,
5 that of the Americans at the time o
. the revolution. Addresses were als'
: made by John B. Lennon. the fedora
:. tion's treasurer; James O'Connell, pres
: ident of the International Machinists
| association and Henry WeiSSman