Evening journal., 1896-12-18

refused to mention the charges unless the
convention went into executive session.
Many bitter speeches followed, mostly
directed against Mahon' action. Delegate
Tobin. president of the Shoemakers' asso-
citation, was Of opinion that Mahon and
others were chasing shadows.
Finally motion requiring Mahon to
specify the charges in writing was carried
-yeas, 40; nays 29-after which a recess
was taken.
At an executive session Of the conven-
ton Mahon told his story. He said he had
heard thar President Gompers had during
the recent political campaign been in close
communication with Chairman Jones Of
the national Democratic committee, and
that it was regarding the free silver move
ment
Then Secretary August McCraith took
mp the story. lie said he had noticed at the
headquarters of the federation in Indian
apolis that Gompers had Eeen in CORE
spondence with Chairman Jones ana that
he had negotiated with persons regarding
the political action of the wcrkingmen.
Thinking that Gompers had exceeded his
rights, AlcCraith spoke to several mem
bers Of the executive council about the
matter, and in that way tho stories against
Gompers started.
The Gompers-Jones Correspondence.
49, .l-.,ea
that passed between Gompers and Chair-
man Jones, in which arrangements were
made for the two TO meet on the silver
question. Gompers had written Jones that
he was too busy to visit Chicago, but that
If Jones would call on him in Indianapolis
he would be pleased to talk the matter
over with him. None of the letters was
private, and Gompers had filed them with
other correspondence
McCraith had heard that Gompers Ind
gone TO Chicago to discuss the matter with
Jones' but it developed at the session that
the executive council knew of Gompcrs'
visit and that it was not on politics, but
TO confer with the president of an internn-
ti1nal trade union on labor matters.
Gonpers took the floor and admitted all
and said he was ready to answer any ques-
tion, but none was asked him.
Delegate Penna of the Mine Workers
union then introduced the following reso.
luton
Having heard the charges Of alleged
wrongdoing by President Samuel Com
pers IN the recent political campaign;
Resolved, That we indorse the nresi.
dents position, dismiss the charges and
exonerate him from blame.
The resolution was adopted with but
three dissenting votes
The three who voted against the resolu-
tiOn announced that they did so solely on
account of their opposition to free coinaga
of silver, which they would not indorse in
any form, and that they desired to indorse
President Gompers.
The following, offered by George W.
McNeill, was then unanimously adopted
Resolved, That the delegates to the
sixteenth annual convention Of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor do hereby de-
clare in unqualified language their conf
dence in President Samuel A. Gompers as
man worthy OF the cause he has espoused
and for which he has sacrificed his time,
health and ability"
A similar resolution was unanimously
adopted indorsing the five members of the
executive council.
The effect of the affair will be the re-
election Of Gompers as president, against
whom there had been much opposition.
The announcement was made that No
Craith will not be candidate for re-elec-
tlon.
Gompers' Plan Endorsed.
The committee strongly indorsed the
plan Of President Gompers for the fedora
tion to employ special organizers and lee
turers to assist the trades unions needing
assistance Several delegates criticised the
engineers for their lukewarmness toward
strikes. Delegate Delong cited union con-
Germs In Chicago where there We're strikes
anu work went on because the engineers
furnished power while new men took the
places OF strikers Mr. O'Sulliyan's mo-
tion was carried unanimously
Mr.. O'Sullivan then moved to further
amend the report SO as to instruct the in
coming executive council to organize all
wage earners, unskilled as we'll as skilled
laborers, This motion also was carried,
and the report of the committee was then
approved.
President Gompers announced that he
had invited Ex-Governor Charles Foster.
chairman of the Ohio commission on tine
Investigation of convict labor. To address
the convention. Mr. Foster could NOT he
present but he sent letter on mo snb-
'rt which was read and ordered rrinted
ir lac proceedings.
The special COMMITTEES on the Armour
bycott at Kansas City reported for moro
Wig g1rously pushing the fight