The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-12-13
labor IEIlGRg II SESSION
Members Of the Federation Of Labor Hold
Their Annual Hsetion.
John swinton anu Father Oueey Talk &
the Delegates Assembled IN New
York. City-Obieets Of ths
Convention.

NEW LUhhs DEC 1Vs-Iu ne HItG5utl
annual convention of the American
Federation OF Labor began in Madison
Square Garden yesterday. Delegates
were present from all over the United
States, Canada and Great Britain, Vice
President Mcbride presided, and intro
duced J. w. Sullivan of Typographical
Union No 6, who delivered the adj
dress of welcome The reports of the
president. secretary and treasurer
were read and referred to the proper
committees. The chairman then in
troduced Labor Agitator John Swim
ton, who spoke in part as follows:
The Federation of Labor is a power
in the United States. The largest
thing in labor organization is the act
and fact Of organization. It has grown
from nothing, being in its early days
kicked and sneered at By hard work
it has won the right of existence, and
you must maintain it Under penalty of
death. Fifty years ago there was lit
tie need of organization, for there was
work for all. Times. however, have
changed. Another thing is the right
to strike against wrong. It used to be
more unlawful to strike than now.
Since that infamous Judge Woods
mounted the bench and the govern
ment sent the militia to Chicago there
is a change. If there were no labor
organizations, wages would be half;
hours, half as long again, and capital
would rule. How can you meet the
questions of the changed times? How
can you combat the law? If you pass
resolutions twill ram them down your
throat There are many other ques-
tions, such as the big monopolies.
They will have to be met by such
body as this"
Father Ducey was then introduced,
and said: II am here because the pope
wants me to be, if some of you do not
In 1891 an encyclical was issued by the
pope in regard to labor, and it is my
duty as a minister to be present"
Father Ducey quoted great deal of
Scripture, and said that no murderer
shall enter the kingdom of Heaven,
and drew as a comparison the oppres-
sion of the laborer, who is often killed
by want, not being able to secure en-
ployment There are many" said
he, continuing, that live in luxury
and pile up fortunes with the blood
money Of the poor. There is enough
here for all, and it should be so far al
lowed that no man need appeal for
aims. God intended the wOrkingman
should have proper food 1t remains
for the ministers to teach the require
ments of mankind" Father Ducey
said that the disruption of the Knights
of Labor was caused by the wrongful
use of a statement issued by Cardinal
Gibbons. 1t was to cause a feeling
between the Catholics and Protestants
and succeeded. Adjournment was
then taken until this morning.
A mass meeting was held at Cooper
union last night under the auspices Of
the American Federation of Labor.
Samuel Gompers acted as chairman Of
the meeting. Mr.. GOmpers made a
brief address, in which he said that
the objects of the convention of the
American Federation of Labor were to
bring about unity of action between
the trades unions of the country, and
to decide what might be best to ad-
vance the interests Of the toilers of the
country. The chairman then intro
duced John Mcbride, president of the
American Federation of Labor, who
addressed the meeting.