The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-23

mORstrntlng the necessity for renewed
vigilance on our part.
One OF the reasons Is the unfair re-
lRtion capital bears TO labor. TO over
como this evil we are banded together;
our mission Is ~ unite and strengthen
the weak and oppressed 10 inspire
confidence, courage and hope; to de-
mnnh voice IN determining all queB-
lions wherein labor becomes factor;
to stand as an aTbiter for the oppressed
and a menace 70 the opprcssor.
The YEARS Work.
Tho good work alTcndy accomplished
by this assembly fully determines the
wisdom and necessity for It's continued
existence. At the commencement OF
| this term the conditions which con-
| fTonted the working classes were sim
| ply appalling, calculated TO try mems
souls; time OF general Btagnntion
| OF business all over the country, In
fact all over the world. Dlatrust and
lack OF confidence prevailed In every
branch OF trade. invaded the ranks Of
organized labor, scattering the weak
and severely testing therBtrength OF the
strong, a time when organization and
cooperation would suggest to the
thinking mind their adoption as the
/
suits might he secured. Notwithstnnd.
| Ing this adverse condition OF Rnalrs,
am glad to be able TO congratulate you
| and through you the workingmen, you
represent, that through corporation
we have been able to successfully COM
| bat and fruBtrnte the combined EFFORTS
| OF capitalists, corrupt judges and leg
islators in their their attempts TO over
| throw and destroy organisation among
| the wording classes, We have for the
| purpose OF securing the enactment OF
better laws, time after time appealed TO
both OF the leading political parties
being mlsled by their oft repeated pro-
misses to legislRte In the Interest OF the
people, We have assisted In the cleo
tlon OF members OF our own organiza-
tion TO legislative positions only 10 find
them pledged and governed by the po-
lltlcal party to which they were attach
ed, Instruments In the hands OF de-
signing politicians TO thwart the ends
for which they were selected. In view
| OF our past experience and ohserVa-
ton would suggest that We as an or
ganlzatlon keep aloof from all political
entanglements until such time as we
can nominate and elect men independ-
emit OF the present existing parties;
that time will arrive Just when we have
manhood enough TO break away from
party enthraIlment and unite as work.
lngmen should unite
Returning Confidence.
We occupy to-day a position, so far
as relates to trades represented and
number OF delegates, something short
OF what prevailed when adverse con-
ditlons came upon us With evidence
OF returning prosperity comes CORES
pondlng restoration Of confidence. Or
CARNATIONS that have lapsed are reor-
ganlzing, new associations are knock
Ing for admission; everything indicates
a general revival OF that character and
spirit which guarantees and VIII Sc
cure 10 uB oil OF the rights, benefits
and privileges due the working classes
OF this great country. This In add.
tlon 10 having passed through the past
year maintaining our orsaniEauon,
coming out with renewed confidence IN
our ability and the business OF our
cause. are all subjects for congratula-
ton.
many perplcxlng difficulties, averted
number OF threatened strikes and de-
monstrated the wisdom OF declining to
resort TO boycott only as last resort,
/ would suggest that appeal TO that
method TO settle troubles which may
arise be less frequent hereafter
Much OF the SUCCESS which has at
tended our eftorts during the past year
Fhould be credited 10 the standing COM
mIttees. composed OF conservative, sem
sible mon, and their work has invaria-
bly, brought satisfactory results, and 70
the incoming president would say
much depends upon the careful selec-
tion OF standing committees. particu-
iarly the arbitration committee
Several Recommendations.
1 would respectfully recommend the
enactment of law more clearly denn-
ing the qualification necessary to en-
lille q delegate 10 become member OF
this assembly. The present law per
mita q member OF any trade TO act as
representatiye OF any other trade. This,
in my opinion, should not be, except In
mixed assemblies. Then the delegate
should be an active member OF the as
sembiy In question. ! also believe u
would be to the best interests OF the as
sonibly TO change Article ~, Section l.
making It possible for certain officers to
succeed themselves by a majority vote
OF the assembly.
Dor Day celebration be hereafter held
upon the day set aside as National
Labor Day.
You will notice in the report OF our
secretary that our expenses In the last
three years have been greater than the
recelpta, and that the receipts from the
main source through which we derive
revenue Labor Day celebration. have
fallen on each year, torewarnlng us OF
the necessity fpractlclng greater econ
nmy or providing other means through
which TO repienish our treasury. In
view Of tho fact that our finances
through liberal distribution and IN
creased current expenses are likely 10
become exhausted before our annual
Labor Day celebration, would suEgost
10 those who succeed us the advisable
ity Of appointing q committee OF ways
and means 10 arrange for series OF
lectures or n mid-winter entertainment
OF some kind to avert the imposition OF
n per capltn tax upon the locals.
/ wiBh before closing 10 acknowledge
the obligations we are under 10 the rop-
reaentativea OF the press for the assist
nnce they have rendered us IN ndvnne-
ing the welfare OF the assembly and
those whom wn represent. Their as
ISOLATION with ne has been OF such
plenBRnt and profitable character Ms To
warrant the wlrmest expressions OF
our appreciation.
In conclusion I again thank you
and bcspcak for my successor n con.
tnuanco Of the support and respect
'Ou 80 "''''' ' W. II. RILEY.
Killed by Train.
Special Dispatch to the IntclllgSnccr.
sTEtfRENVIf,LE Ohio, Dec, 29,-