The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-20
A BLACK EYE.
Labor Commissioner Bird is HUI
inflated.
Expelled From the Trades As
sembly
KANSAS
IT.
Charge That Bird Claimed tt
Own the Order.
Governor Morrill, Also Severely
Scored.

Kansas City, April 20.-The Trades
Assembly of this city yesterday ex-
PEELED from membership State Labor
Commissioner w. C. Bird. of Kansas,
and adopted resolutions scoring Gov
ernor Morrill, for seeking to have the
state printing done by convicts.
The assembly represents nearly 5000
wOrkingmen.
Yesterdays meeting of the assembly
took place at Sawyer's hail. corner of
Fourth and Minnesota avenue, at
.. m.
Mr.. Bird was not present. although
he had been invited.
When Mr.. Bird became a candidate
for the office of state labor commits
sioner he was endorsed by the Trades
Assembly, and it was principally due
to the assembly's efforts that he re-
ceived the appointment.
The cause Of the Trades Assemb1y's
actions is fully set forth In the follow
ing:
To the Omeers and Members OF the
Trades Assembly. Greeting.
Kansas City, Kan. April 19.-The fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions are
hereby presented for your considera-
ton and adoption:
Whereas, There appeared a letter in
the Kansas City Star on Sunday, March
- 1880 Sd44 letter DE4ll5 SlSAlEQ DA one
w. G. Bird. and has never been denied.
and,
whereas, The said w. G. Bird holds
a delegateship in this honorable body,
also being appointed state labor com
missioner by the honorable governor Of
Kansas; and
Whereas, The said w. G. Bird doth
claim the possession of the entire labor
organizations Of the state of Kansas to
-
to one Nathaniel Barnes, as hirelings
or slaves; and.
Whereas, The said w. G. Bird claims
that the leaders of the labor organiza>
tions are to be used in like manner;
and,
Whereas, The said W G. Bird also
claims that the clergymen of the state
are not too good but their power can
be used also; also the power Of the jun
ior order of American Mechanics and
the "A. p. A.; and.
Whereas The said w G. Bird put
forth all his claims, not caring for nor
consulting any of the above men
toned organizations or parties, the
Trades Assembly begins to view with
alarm the boastful and audaciOus W.
g. Bird; therefore. be it
Resolved, That the trades assembly,
in regular session condemns the words
self as an enemy of labor, one who IS
not fit representative of any labor or
ganiZatiOn, and be it further
Resolved. That the said w c. Bird
be given his credentials and be debar-
red the privilege of the floor
The resolutions were adopted by a
unanimous vote after short speeches
by number Of those present. The fol-
lowing resolutions were also adopted:
Whereas Tt has come under the no
tice of this body that the governor of
Kansas E. N. Morrill,, did recommend
to the penItentiary directors that peni-
tertiary printing be done by cOnvicts
instead Of by the state printer. as the
law explicitly provides, and believing
this to be a grave injustice to the print
err class Of our wage earning pOpula-
ton, and an infringement of moral law
and of statutory enactment; therefore
be it
Resolved. That we. the members Of
the trades assembly of Kansas CITY
ord as discountenancing any such IL
legal and unjust action by the chief ex-
ecutive
Second-We would call attention to
article 4. section IS. of the constitution
of the state Of Kansas, which says:
'.All public printing shall be done by a
state printer and all public printing
shall be done at the capital, and the
prices for the same shall be regulated
by law" be it further
Resolved, That this body Of organ
lied labor, the trades assembly of Kan
sas City, Kan, takes this occasion to
express our gratitude and esteem for.
fusing to honor the vouchers to pay for
the convict printing, and by this act
did q favor not only to those of our
brothers earning a living from this