The sun., 1896-12-19
LABOR'S POLITICAL STAND.
THE FEDERATIoN FOR SILVER
AND THE SUPREME COURT.

A Rssolution Dnnouueing the Supreme
Court Bentsn-Another FnvortnE FREQ
Coinage Passed ervheintuEiy-Cnm
pnigu Talk Threshcd over In Debate.
CINCISSATt, Dec. 1S.-At tho opening OF this
mornings session of the Convention of the
American Federation OF Labor the following
resolution, in reduced on Wednesday by Dele
gate Ash Of Boston. came up under special
order:
"Hherens, The written Constitutions of the
several States constituting the United Statcs
and also the Constitution OF the United States
provide that the supreme Court OF the United
States and the Supreme Courts of the several
States shall exercise the right of reviewing
legislation: and
"Whercds In the exercise of rights conferred
the courts OF the several States and also the
Supreme Court of the United States have re-
peatediy set aside null and void laws duly
ana formally enacted by the representatives OF
the people; and
"Whereds. The exercise OF such authority by
the aforesaid courts violates the fundamental
principles of a political organization, which
claims to be n Government OF the people, by the
people. and for the people: and
"Whercds. No authority contained to paper or
exercised by courts can be greater than the Will
of the people when enacted iuto law; therefore,
"Rcsolr6d, That we. the delegates of the
American Federation OF Labor, in convention
assembled. demand such amendments to the
Constitution OF the United States and the Con-
stitutions OF the several States thereof as will
deprive the aforesaid courts of power to set
aside the laws duly enacted by the chosen rep
resentatives of the people, as we believe tho
proper function OF the courts Ia to exponnd ana
administer law. but not to make #"
The resolutions ELECTED much discussion. the
prcpondersnce OF which was that they would
be construed rs rofectng upon the courts or
tallx hA ton
Supreme Court. and place the Federation Of
Labor in a position before the public which II
the defeat OF the resolution by vote of "A
TO 81.
the former action OF the Federation iayorng
free coinage OF silver at 10 to be reconsdcred.
and the Resolutions Committee. through which
that rs the subject was one which working.
men had become divided, the best Interests OF
the Federation would best bo served by refusing
to give 1t any consideration;
The matter caused "a lively movement among
orstorv filed tho hail. Delegates Weissman
AMI Ca.ahnn indulged in personalites mo
ton that the whole matter be laid on the table
was lost by o vote Of l3I to a3l. Delegate Var
nell offered substitute reafilrming the former
action OF the Federation on the silver question
freely made use of. the benefits the workingmen n
would have from free coinage being presented
in about the same way as oh the stump during
Delegate John B. Lennon Of the Journeymen
Taiors offered as n substitute to tho resolutions
presented by Delegate Yarne!l resol uton re-
affirming the stand taken by the American
Federation OF Labor at Its three past conven-
tons favoring ,the free and unlimited coinage
OF silver at the ratio Of 10 10 by the Cnlted
States without the consent Hr approval OF any any
other nation. and disavowng any intention
that this action should be construed as endors-
ing any political party.
Delegate Garland OF the Amalgamated Asso-
citation of Iron and Steel Workers offered a
resolution favoring protectiNetarif, but mat
ters were by this time in sucn tangle that
cool delegates greeted u with general
"Oh. don't from all parts of the hall. aud Mr..
Garland withdrew the resolution before 1t re-
ceived a second. .
President Gompers had considerable difficulty
keeping delegates In their seats. as there were
stili some who felt disappointed at not having
had q chance to speak. On the roll call the
Lennon substitute was carried oy vote OF
1885 against 302.
Samuel tiompers was re-e'ected President Of
the Federation. The annual meeting next year
will be held In Nashville.