New-York tribune., 1895-09-18

JOHN JENKINS
Mdlands. Alderman Tillett was one OF the
smallest and most boyish figures in the con-
gress, with a smooth face and long hair. but
with believing voice which could be heard
from the remotest corner Of the gallery. Born
in Bristol. he had been a jack OF all trades.
working In brickyards, coapts. shoeshops and
fishing -smacks and finally taking prominent
part In the great London dock strike. standing
for Parliament, lecturing on the labor question
at oxford and Cambridge, preaching lay SER
n ons in Congregational churches and standing
trial in his native town for melting a riot on
charges which were not sustained by evidence
An aggressive debater was this London Coun-
cillor, as he stood on the platform shouting
until he was hoarse. brandshing his arms and
denouncing John Burns as the champion Of the
arstocracy Of labor
A quieter and more effective speaker was Mr..
Inskip who declined TO quibble over the consti-
tutional questions raised by the critics Of the
Parliamentary Committee and arraigned the
political agtators who were Indifferent to the
interests of labor and only anxious to advertise
themselves reorganization Of the congress,
in the Judgment Of this cool, practical. conserva-
tive trades -unionist from Leicester. had become
an imperative necessity, and the committee had
the standing orders
The debate In its final stage became duel be
tween two Of the most influential labor leaders,
both members Of Parliament-Henry Broad
hurst and John Burns. Mr.. Broadhurst made
the more logical speech, discussing the action OF
the committee with moderation and good
temper. and protesting against usurpation or
authority by which veterans like himself were
excluded from the congress after standing by
the cause OF labor for generation. He had
deep rich voice. and knew how to use It, and his
speech was illuminated by flashes of humor
which pleased friend and foe alike.
JOHN BURNS REPLIES
After this burly champion of the New Union
lists had closed his argument with really elo-
quent appeal for tolerance and liberaty John
Burns replied TO him in a harsh. rasping voice,
but with tremendous energy and force. He
would be excluded like Mr.. Broadhurst, II the
new standing orders were not set aside. but he
had instigated the action Of David Holmes. the
chairman Of the committee. in giving the casting
vote and he personally responsible for the
scheme of reorganizat ton 1t was his fight and
he was determined to win It. With stern face.
flashing eyes and the manner of man who was
terribly in earnest, he advocated the adoption or
a policy which would bring the congress again
representative body of the millions OF workers
whose average wages were 80 shillings a week
in ordinary times and nothing when they were
UNEMPLOYED Mr. Burns was angrily inter
rupted and repeatedly called TO order, but he
had carefully prepared his closing passage, and
could not be diverted from it. Although the up
roar tremendous his voice rang out high
above the tumult. and he had the satisfaction
OF forcing his adversaries to hear the last word.
When Mr.. Wilson had closed the debate. dele
gate asked II the vote was to be by representation
or by show Of hands. The chairman instantly re-
piled you will vote according to the new stand
ing orders" The standing orders had been sus-
pended in order TO allow the congress to discuss a
resolution censurtng the committee for enforcing
them without authority. bat as soon as vote was
reached the new rules were applied arbitrarily by
the chair At once there was general uproar. The
ruling OF the chair was challenged from every
quarter of the house. A hundred delegates were
on their feet shouting at once. Mr.. Wilson angry
moved that the chairman should leave the chair,
and there were supporting voices from all sides
There were loud cries Of shame Leave the
chair and "Trtckery,'
The chairman. meanwhile. was ringing a large
hand bell and vainly endeavoring to restore order
He was resolute man and was not to be intimi-
dated BY the threats Of secession which were
heard from various quarters. He forced the tell
ers to start on their rounds about the tables. and
when the tumult had subsided. announced the
results OF the voting. According TO representa-
ton there were 95 900 votes for the resolution and
so4. 900 against It. The committee had been tri-
umphantly sustained and the Trades-Cnion Con-
gress emancpated from the domination Of So
cialistic agitators and professional politicians.
THE CONGRESS REDEEMED.
The effect Of the new standing orders was TO
undermine the strongholds Of the New Unionists
The trade councils disfranchised: all repre-
sentatives who were neither workers al thelr
trade nor permanent union officials under salary
were excluded. and In place OF the principle OF
zone man. one vote" proxy or plural votihg was
substituted The new rules. by allowing one vote
for each thousand workers represented. RENTED
the control Of the congress to few Of the largest
and most powerful trades unions. notably the coll
liers. miners and textile workers. The decisive
vote by which the action OF the Parliamentary
Committee was sustained by the congress was
not taken by show of hands but on the basis OF
the numoer OF workers actually represented by
each delegate The principle may have been a
sound one for a labor council. but the methods by
which II was introduced were certainly anomalous
II not revolutionary. new constitution was en-
forced and put in practice before II had been
adopted by the congress. The objects accom-
nlshed were salutary and necessary but the
means by which the end was attained could be
justified only on the ground OF expedisncy
The effects OF this revolution in the direction OF
conservatism were clearly illustrated on the fol-
lowing day when a motion amending the ad-
dress OF the Parliamentary Committee and COM
claiming tina nothing had been done to carry into
s1ect tine Norwich resolution in favor Of national
a.. ,oc NJ IN, In nd was rejected BY an overwheim-