The evening times., 1895-12-09
MUST GO INTO POLITICS.
So Says President Mcbride Of
the Federation Of Labor.
NOW MEETING AT NEW YORK
While Recognizing aud Urging Politi-
cal Action. President Mcbride Pre-
SCENTS No Defiised Plan, But Merely
Suggests Independent Voting for
Cand iuates Who Are In sympathy

New York, Dec. ,9.-The convention of
the American Federation of Labor was
opened this morning at Madison Squa re
Garden. Labor leaders from all over the
country, CANADA and Great Britain are
present to lend their prestige to the i'm
pOrtance OF the convention as ana sseinblage
OF the leading representatives OF the organ
ized working class Of the United states.
The greatest interest is alread dfspIa yci
in the election of officers, and the friends of
candidates are actively canysssing for votes.
Samuel Gompers, ex- president OF the
Federation, IN sare to bc candidate for
the office again. Interest also ceDters in
the proposition to remove the headquarters
from Indianapolis.
The convention will remain in session
for more tirana week. Many important GHes
tons Will Gene up Tor Gehate and action.
Among the matters TO be considered is
the subject OF a general movement Tor the
eight-aour work day on May /. 1856.
Wednesday evening there will be a greDd
ball and r.union of all tie labor leaders
at Madison Square Garden. Invitations
have been scs;t TO n;eu OF prominence i'll
Iearly all the walks OF life.
On the vexcd question of political ac-
ton, which has attracted SO much attention
to the present gathering, and upon which
nearly every delegate has been instructed
by his respective organization, the presi-
dent spoke at length, adopting in a measure
the views of both the conservative and
socialistic factions This is what he said:
POLITICAL ACTION.
Have we political program?
This is a disDlteed question. The Denver
convention by sefuEaie md distinct votes
adopted twelve declarations OF practical be-
defeated. and in. Consequence of this ii is
hela by same THAI The previous declarations
were ipyalidated. while Others are of he
opinion that each declaration was complete
in Itself. aud tha; the motion to adopt as 4
whole WAS superfluous. and its adoption or
rejection by tue convention could neither
add To or take from the declarations pre-
vioIsly made. y
I'm my judgment. the latter position is
tue correct one. butli have not been called
upon to r-nder a decision upon the question
and to satisfy those who have entertained
doubts in the matter. a. SIX that you clearly
define the position you intend To bold along
political lines.
Whether the declarations made at the
Denver senrefthn are approved or disap-
proved by y.I1, the seifevident truth con-
fronts us that wage-workers can not hope
to be free ia the ships. mines and factories
CAN'T WAIT FOR EVOLUTION.
The ideal state OF society or form of
government aimed at by State Socialists,
Philosophical Ana aliisis. Popu!ists. Single
Takers and others shnIld not bc permitted
TO stand in the way Of immediate and prac-
teal efforts. because the IDEAL state uf
society h,iped for can only DE reached. If
ever it is reached, by an educational evulu-
ionary process. which means too great a
delay to suit tn nasscs uf our wage
workers, who are asking for relief from
the ills OF t,day, rather than agitatng
for reform that VIII secure the comfort
and happiness of c,anIing generations.
According TO the rnoI reliable statistics
ohtainabie, There are fully twenty three
millions of people employed. or should be,
at gainful occupations in this country, and
in view Of the fact that about one-tcnth of
that number are members Of organized
labor, and only a large portion Of the
latter In the American Federation of abor,
II would be a useless waste of time and
effort for you TO attempt political reform
WORK along independent party lines.
INDEPENDENT VOTING.
''At this time 1t is not independent party,
but independent voting that will accomplish
beneficeDt and speedy results.
by cooperating III the suppert Of men
and measures favorable to labor interests
you would soon have all parties striving 10
secure the votes OF organized labor. BY this
means the Matchmaking of the means of
transportation and communication could be
accomplished aud the municipal ownership
Of water heat, light and power plants be
assured"
President Mcbride, in closing, attacked the
bond issue OF the government, and expressed
his deepest sympathy. with the cause of the
Cuban patriots.