The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-18
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Charges Against the American
Federation's President.
A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE PASSED.
After Discussing the Charges of Political
Activity the Convention, by Unanimous
Vote, Indorses MT. Gompsrs-secrstary
MoCrsith, the Accuser, Rstirss.

Vote, Iadorses Mr.. Gompsrs-secret ary
| MoCrsith, the Accuser. Rstirss.
CINCINNATI Dec 1s.-At yesterdays
session of the American Federation of
Labor convention Delegate Mahon, of the
Street Railway union, created sensation
by rising to privileged question and
stated that very grave rumors were being
circulated against the general officers and
moving that committee of five be ap-
pointed to investigate these charges. 1t
was finally decided to consider the charges
IN executive session.
1t is stated by delegates that the charges
have been made against other officers by
Secretary August McCraith, who circu-
lated them privately this week. The
charges are willful negligence in cooper
ating with the officers of different unions
during strikes and on other occasions
The principal charge is that the officers
co-operated with certain political leaders
during the recent campaign, and that
come of those who revoked the commits
sion of W. c. Pomeroy as organizer were
themselves guilty of the same offense in
using their official prestige for political
purposes.
The executive session continued from
p m until 8 p. m, and resulted in the
vindication Of President Gompers and the
retirement of Secretary McCraith, whose
term expires next month. While the
rumors Of charges surprised President
Gompers and all others except select
few Of the delegates, there seems to have
been much agitation Wednesday night
over the sensation that was to be sprung.
Ex-Secretary A. G. Wines and Secretary
August McCraith were separated by
friends while quarreling in room at the
Dennison House in the early morning
hours and revolvers are said to have been
drawn.
The trouble was between President
Gompers and Secretary McCraith, and
dated back to the last campaign. In the
absence of President Gompers 1t is said
that McCraith edited The Federationist
McCraith is considered socialist, and
was afterward silver man, but In tho
absence Of President Gompers he kept out
articles on the silver question that had
been previously appearing in the organ of
the federation. At a subsequent meeting
of the executive council this matter, with
other differences between the president
and secretary were considered, and Secre-
tary McCraith was compelled to apologize
to President Gompers.
1t is charged that after this action of
the executive council Secretary McCraith
conspired against President Gompers and
tried to make case against the president
on the correspondence Of the latter with
certain prominent political leaders in the
silver movement Secretary McCraith held
that in replying to the letter Of the silver
leadersPr President Gompers went beyond the
power of the president of the federation.
While Secretary McCraith is called an an
archist by many delegates he Is recog-
nlzed by all as o consistent trade union
LIST, and as being averse even to any sort
of utilization with political parties 1t is
claimed that President Gompers does not
affiliate with any party, but that his cor
with the advocates of free
silver was in accordance with resolutions
adopted at the last three national conven-
tions.of the federation. It was out of this
that sprang the rumors
about President Gompers being closely
with National Chairman Jones
and others.
The debate in executive session was tur-
bulent and acrimonious. President Com
pers was finally requested to make state
nent, but he said only few words and
that all his correspondence
md his actions in the official capacity Of
oresidentof the federation were as open to
,he delegates and the world as the CORE
'pondence which Secretary McCraith had
,een fit to bring to this convention.
After considerable discussion, which re-
1anfn IN w IN hui ri tod |
he rumors of serious charges on President
iompers Delegate Penna, of the Miners
lnion, offered the following:
Having heard the charges of alleged
by President Gompers dur
ng the recent political campaign, Re-
olved, That we indorse the presidents
POSITION, dismiss tho charges and exone-
ate him from all blame"
There were only three dissenting voices
or the resolution, and the three voting in
he negative announced that they did SO
IN account of their opposition to free sill
or, which they would not indorsc in any
orm, although they desired to indorse
President Gompers.
Another resolution, adopted without q !
voice, declares in unqualified
lnguuge our confidence in President
amuel Gompers us a man worthy of the
ause he has espoused and for which he
as sacrificed his time health and abil-
~" A similar resolution of confidence
Tas unanimously adopted in indorsing
he five members of the executive council
After the action Of the convention in
session, Secretary McCraith an
ounced that he would retire, and the
'iends of Delegate Morrison, of the Chi
lgo Typographical union, are now conf
ent of Morrison's election without OPP
ostion. 1t is tho general opinion that
Il of the old officers will be reelected ex-
ant Sarratarv MnCrnitb