Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-12-19

Cincinnati. O.. December 18.-There
was a full attendance at the morning
session of the American Federation Oh
Labor. President GOmpers, after the
unanimous vindicatiOn and indOrse-
ment which he received at the eXecu-
tive session last night, was in cheerful
spirits. His accuser, Secretary Angus
tus McCraith, was at his desk as usual,
but his friends were freely expressing
their regrets at his course yesterday IN
instigating the charges presented by
Delegate Malone.
1t was ordered that the selection OF
the place for holding the next annual
convention be made Immediately after
the election of officers at the afternoon
session. The special order OF the hour
was the following resolution by Dele
gate Ashe, of Boston:
Whereas, The written constitutions
of the several States constituting the
United States. and also the cOnstitu-
ton of the United States provide that
the Supreme Courts Of the United
States, and the Supreme Courts OF the
several States, shall exercise the right
of reviewing legislation; and,
Whereas. In the exercise OF the
rights conferred, the courts Of the sew
eral States and also the Supreme Court
Of the United States have repeatedly
set aside as null and void laws duly
and formally enacted by the represent
atives of the people; and,
Whereas. The exercise Of such au-
thcrity by the cforesaid courts violates
the fundamental principles of a polit-
ical organization which claims to be
government Of the people. by the peo-
pie and for the people; and,
Whereas, NO authority contained
on paper. or G. -ercised by courts can
be greater than the will of the people
when formally enacted into law; there
fore.
Resolved. 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 constitutions OF
the several States thereof, as will de-
prive the aforesaid courts Of power to
set aside laws duly enacted by the
lega 'ly chosen representatives OF the
uacrle. IS we believe the proper tunc-
tion Of COURTS is to eXpound ana ad-
minister law. but not to make 1t.
The discussion was participated IN
bv most of the delegates who review
ed the imprisonment OF Eugene Y. DeDs
and other labor leaders who have been
prosecuted on account of violence at
tending strikes. There was considera-
ble oDpositi0n TO the resolution. The
decision on the income tax was referred
TO bitterly. Some OF the speakers con-
demned the courts severely, but most
Of the sneakers held that the constitu-
tions were against the laboring classes
more than the courts and favored aool-
isbing all constitutions, as 1t was so
difficult to amend these instruments so
as to comply with the changes OF time
The Ashe resolution was defeated'
yeas Il; nays A.
Delegate O'Sullivan raised the point
that the resolution by Delegate NC
Guira to increase the dues had not re-
ceived The requisite twO-Jhirds vote yes
ter5ay.
The Walters Association presented a
memorial requesting that w. Pomeroy
lie given a hearing before his alternate
be seated Received and fled.
A resolution extending aid and CO.
operation to the Colorado miners was
adopted.
The committee on resolutions re-
ported the silver resolution of Mr.. Wis
man. OF Brooklyn, without recommen-
dation. except to state when the pre-
viCus three national conventions or the
Federation voted for free silver it was
an economic question, and now that 1t
had become a political question. the
committee asked that the issue be not
received. or I'm any manner reconsider
cd ard that the resolution Of Mr.. Weis-
man no tabled without debate or any
motions Tie WeismaD resolution pro
,-ided for the recommendation of the
resolutions for free silver adopted at
The three preceding national conven-
tiors DELEGATE MahOn moved not TO
concur in the report, and made a very
hitter speech attacking even Delegate
Tohn T T0bin. who was presiding
Delorate O'SuIlivan moved to concur I'm
the roport and hoped that the controversy
would not again disturb and consume the
time Of the convention.
Delegates Weisman. of Brooklyn. and
r<arobau. Of Denver. induleod I'm very
Dorsonal controversy on the floor over the
silver question. The personalities were
finally directed by DELEGATE Nenehan 10
Chairman Tobin. Delegate NarreH made
a ,-i-orous silver speech and tried to offer
o. substitute. but was prevented by a mo-
tfon TO Law the whole matter on the table.
The motion to table the Weisman silver
resolution. the report and motion thereon,
,-ee defeated: yeas e3l. nays 1857.
Mr. yarneH. of Colorado then offered
oe o. substitute a resolution reafiirmine the
action of the national conventions of 1888,
1904 and 1885 in endorsing the free and un-
limited coinage Of silver at the ratio Of
1e to + Tx-Pres'dent John Mcbride and
Delegates Nlahon. Lloyd Boyce and others
Is.dine i'm the debate for the substitute.
,y-afsrao opposed the resolution because
of it's expression for silver O'Donnell and
others because they wanted no more pc
r+ioal issues referred TO in the Fedora
tion.
pa,egate Lennon offered a substitute for
the substitute reafirming the action of
the previous conventions on silver and
denying that I'm so doing the Federation
end 1rses or viii ondor=e any political party
chat has or may adopt free coinage Mr..
Yarneu accepted Mr.. lemons substitute
as an amendment.
Delegate Garland offered a resolution
endorsing a high protective tariff. ruled
out of order as not germane 20 the subject.
After speeches by Weisman. Woodbury.,
Penna Askew. Phillips and others. with
Vice President O'Connen closing the d.
bate. as chairman Of the committee on