The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-24
The FEDERATION OF LABOR.
ALL OFFICERS EXCEPT SECRE-
TARY MCRAITH WE'RE UNANI.
MOUSLY REFLECTED.
RESOLUTION AGAINST THE COURTS.
Was Voted Down-Motion to Table q
Silver Resolution Was Lost-The
Next Meeting Will Be Held ut
Nashville. Tenn.

Cincinnati, Dec. 1S-When the Amer.
can Federation of Labor met today the
special order of the hour was resolution
introduced by Delegate Ashe of Boston
as follows:
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 to the constitutions of
the several states thereof as will deprive
the supreme court of the United States
and the supreme courts Of the several
states of the power to set aside laws duly
enacted by the legally chosen representa-
tives Of the people, as we believe the
proper function of courts to be to ex-
pound and administer law, but not to
make it."
The resolution was defeated: years, 21;
nays. "A.
The committee on resolutions reported
the resolution of Mr.. Weissman of Brook
Ign without recommendation, except to
state that when the three previous ma
tiOnal conventions of the federation
voted for free silver it was then an eco
nomic question, and now that it had be-
come a political question the committee
asked that the issue be not revived or in
any manner recOnsidered and that the res
Olution be tabled without debate or any
motions.
The Weismann resolution provided for
the reconsideration of the resolutions for
free silver, adopted at the three preceding
national conventions.
Delegate Malone moved not to concur
in the report and made very bitter
speech.
The motion to table the Weismann sill
yer resolution, the reports and motions
thereon were defeated; yeas, 93; nays,
1877.
Mr.. Garland offered resolution en-
dorsing high protective tariff. Ruled
out of order as not german to the sub
ject.
Recess was then taken.
On reassembling, several committees
reported, after which Delegate johnson
was called to the chair to preside during
the election of officers. The special or
der for the election, however, was post
poned to consider ad seriatim the annual
report of President Gompers, which occu-
pied most of the afternoon. The COM
mittee's recommendations for action I'M
der the different sections of the annual
report was concurred in and the report
was adopted as whole.
When nominations for officers was
called for. the name of Samuel Gompers
for president, was received with cheers.
and on motion of John Mcbride, the sec
rotary was directed to cast the entire
vote of the convention for him.
President Gompers, upon being re-
elected, made an impressive speech.
Mr.. Mcclure of Philadelphia was unan-
imously reelected for vice president, but
declined, after ten years continued SER
vice, in order to devote all his time to
the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners.
Mr.. McGuire's declination was not ac-
cepted, and was called out of order.
James Duncan of Baltimore was re-
elected second vice president, without op-
position.
James O'Connell of Chicago was re-
elected third vice president.
Thomas Edward Hirsch of Baltimore
presented the name of Frank Morrison
of Chicago for secretary, vice August
McCraith.
MIR. Morrison received the unanimous
vote of the convention.
John Il. Lennon of Bloomington, Ills,
was reelected treasurer, and George VI.
Fox of Cincinnati, president of the Moul-
ders Union, and George Mcneil, presi-
dent of the Federation of Boston, were
selected as delegates to the British trades
congress.
Nashville was selected as the next place
of meeting, over st. Louis, Kansas City
and Salt Lake CITY.
The committees reported mass of I'M
finished business, all Of which was or
dcred printed for consideration tomorrow.
The committee on eight hour law urged
all unions to cooperate for the enforce
ment of eight hours. the observance of
Sundays and all holidays. Adjourned
until tomorrow.