Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-10
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Its Sessions Opened in New York.
Great Local Interest.

NEW YORK, December 9.-The Con-
venfion OF tha American Federation OF
Labor was opened this morning at Madi-
son-sduare Garden. Labor-leaders from
all over this country Canada, and Great
Britain are present to lend their prestige
to the importance of the convention as
an assemblage of the leading organiza-
ton OF the working class In tn unlteu
States.
The greatest interest is already dis
nIaved i'm the election Of officers, and IN
candidates are actively canvassing for
votes. Samuel Gompers, ex-president or
the federation. Is sure 10 be candidate
for the office again. Interest also centres
ia the proposition TO remove the mead
quarters from indianapolis.
The convention will remain in session
for more than a week. Many important
questions will come up for debate ana
action. Among the matters TO be con-
sidered is the subject OF a general move
ment for the eight-hour work-day on May
l. 1895. Wednesday evening there
will be grand ball and re-
union OF all the labor leaders
al Madison-Square Garden. Invitations
have been sent to men OF prominence i'm
nearly all the walks OF life.
The convention opened IN the assembly
rooms OF Madison-Square Garden shortly
after 10 o'clock. The hall was elabOrately
decorated with bunting and streamers.
and banners Of various labor organiza-
tions wera strung upon the walls
As this is the first time in twelve
years that the fedora tion has met in this
city, the convention has excited excep-
tlona local interest, and the assembly
rooms and corridors were crowded some
time before the proceedings began.
John Mcbride. president Of the fedora
tion. called the convention TO order, and
introduced J. w. Sullivan. OF this city,
who delivered the address N welcome.
President Mcbride responded In appro-
pirate terms.
The following Committee on Credentials
was appointed by the President: r. J.
Elderkin, T. f. Tracey. j. G. Darnel,
ID. =. Rowland. William Mailly
The convention then took a recess until
2 o'clock. i'm order 10 give the committee
time 10 prepare its report There are
only one or two contesting delegations
Upon the reassembllng OF the convention
the Committee on Credentials reported in
favor Of seating eighty-three delegates.
and that there were six contests. for
the consideration OF which the committee
asked further time The report was ac-
cepted.
The chairman announced the commit
tees. after which he read his annual
report. II is i'm large part embodied in
President Mcl3ride's address.
The reports Of the secretary and trea-
surer show that during the year there
was spent for the defence OF miners
and other unions, for the defence Of
Debs. the lecturng tour Of Burns and
Holmes. etc. $.i67. The receipts for the
year were SIS 1913; expenses, Sl5,6l2. leaving
a balance on hand October 81. 1895. Of
1881
The secretary says: "While we cannot
report any great apparent gains In the
field OF labor during the past year. the
agitation and education that are progress
Ing along economic lines are particularly
JOHN SWINTON.
At the conclusion OF the rearing of
the reports. John Swinton. the Well