The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-19

Delegates to the British Trades Consr es
Nashville Chosen the Place OF Hold
ing the Next Annual Convention-Mor'
Attention Hereafter to be Paid the
South-EIght-Hour Law Demonstrated
by an Apt Object Jesson-The Armour
notwithstanding of the Day.
Cincinnati, O., Dec. 1S.-There was a
full attendance at the morning session
DE- the American Federation Of Labor.
President Gonpers, after the unani-
nous vindication and endorsement which
he received at the executive session las,
night, was in cheerful spirits. His &C
cuser, Secretary McCraith, was at his
desk as usual, but his friends were freely
Expressing their regret at his course yes
terday in instigating tht charges present
I'd TO Delegate Malone.
In was ordered that the selection Of the
place for holding the next annual con-
sentior be made Immediately after the
Election Of officers at the afternoon ses-
Zion.
ASHES RESOLUTION.
The special order of the hour was the
following resolution by Delegate Ashe
Of Boston:
Whereas, The written constitutions OF
the several states constituting the United
States, provides that the supreme court
Of the United States, and the supreme
court Of the several states shall exercise
the right Of reviewing legislation and,
Whereas. In the exercise of the rights
50 conferred, the courts Of the several
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 representatives of the PEG
PIE; and,
Whereas, No authority contained on
paper, or exercised by courts can be
greater than the will Of the people, when
formally enacted into law; therefore,
Resolved, That we, the delegates of
the American Federation Of Labor in con
vention assembled, demand such amend
n}entS to the constitution of the United
States and the constitutions of the sew
eral states thereof as will deprive the
aforesaid courts of power TO set aside
laws duly enacted by legally chosen rep
-esentatiVes Of the people, as we believe
the proper functions OF courts to be TO
expound and administer law, but not to
make it,
DEFEATED.
The discussion was participated in by
Imprisonment of Eugene Y. Debs and
other labor leaders who have been prose-
cuted on account OF strikes. There was
considerable opposition to the resolution
The decision on the income tax was re-
5erred to bitterly. Some Of the speakers
condemned the courts severely, but most
of the speakers held that the constitu-
tions were against the laboring classes
more than the courts, and favored abol-
Chi oil cfftr
cult to amend these instruments so as TO
comply with the changes of times.
The Ashe resolution was defeated; yeas
n; nays A.
Delegate O'Sullivan raised the point
That the resolution by Delegate Mcguire
to raise the dues had not received the
requisite two-thirds vote yesterday.
The Walters association presented a
memorial requesting that w. c. Pomeroy
be given a hearing, which was received
and filed.
A resolution extending aid and cooper
alton to the Colorado miners was adopt |
ed.
THE SILVER RESOLUTION.
The committee on resolutions reported
the silver resolution of Mr.. Weisman OF |
Brooklyn, without recommendation eX-
cept to state when the previous three
national conventions of the federation |
voted for free silver, it was an economic |
question and now that it had become a |
political question the committee asked /
that the question be not revived and |
that the question Of Mr.. Wesman be |
tabled without any debate or motions.
The Weisman resolutions provided for
free silver. as adopted at the preceding
national convention. Delegate Malone |
moved not to concur in the report and
made very bitter speech attacking
even Delegate John Tobin, who was pre-
siding.
Delegate O'Sullivan moved to concur
In the report, and hoped that the con-
troversy would not again disturb and |
consume the time of the convention.
Delegate Weisman Of Brooklyn and
Kenehan of Denver INDUCED in a very
personal controversy on the floor over
the silver question. The personalities
finally directed by Delegate Kenehan to
Chairman Tobin- Delegate YarneIl made
vigorous silver speech, and tried to
offer substitute, but was prevented by
n motion to lay the whole matter on the
table.
The motion to table the Weisman silver
resoiutionfi the report and motions there
on, was defeated-yeaS. 931, NAYS 361
Mr.. Yarnell of Colorado then offered
as substitute resolution reafrrming
the action OF the national conventions of
1895, 1894 and 1885. in endorsing the free
and unlimited coinage of silver at the
ratio of 10 to l. EX-President John Nc
Bride and Delegates Malone. Lloyd,
Boyce and others leading IN the debate
for the substitute.
Mr.. Weisman opposed the resolution be-
cause of its expression for silver. Dele
gate O'D0nnell and others opposed il be
cause they waited no more political is
sues referred 10 in the Federation
Delegate Lennon offered a substitute
for the substitute, reaffirming the action
OF the three previous conventions and re-
fuSing to affiliate with any union that
endorses or viii endorse any political par
~ that has or may adopt free coinage.
Mr.. Yarnell accepted Mr. Lemons sub
stltute as an amendment
Delegate Garland offered a resolution
endorsing high protective tariff: ruled
out of order as not germane 10 the sub
ject
After speeches by Neisman. Woodbury..
Penna, Askew. Phillips and Others. with
Niee-PTesident O'Conneu closing the de-
bate as chairman of the committee on