Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-19
MEET NEXT IN NASHVILLE
Convention of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor.
FREE SILVER AT 16 TO |
Was the Overwhelming Sentiment of the Dele
gates on Ballot.
SAMUEL GoNPERS WAS REELECTED
BY Unanimous Vote-List of Other Off
GERS Chosen-A Manly Appeal for
Overworked and Underpaid
Laborers in the South.

Cineinnati, o., Dec. 1S.-At the open
ing of this mornings session of the con-
vention of the American Federation of
Labor the following resolution, intro
duced Wednesday by Delegate Ash, of
Boston, came up under special orders:
Whereas, the written constitutions of
the several states constituting the United
States and also the constitution of the
United States provide that the supreme
court of the United States and the SUI
preme courts of the several states shall
exercise the right of reviewing legisla-
ton, and,
Whereas, in the exercise of rights con-
ferred 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 people, and,
Whereas, the exercise of such authority
by The aforesaid courts violates the fun
damental principles of a political argan-
iZation which claims to be a government
Of the people, by the people and for the
people, and,
Whereas, no authority contained on pa
per or exercised by the courts can be
greater than the will of the people when
enacted in law therefore,
Resolved, That we, the delegates of the
American Federation of Labor, in con-
vention assembled, demand such amend
ments 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 the legally chosen
representatives of the people, as we be-
lieve the proper functions of the courts
to eXpound and administer law, but to
make it.
The resolutions ELECTED much discus
sion the preponderance of opinion being
that they would be construed as re-
fleeing upon the courts of the country,
and especially the United States supreme
court, and place the Federation of Labor
in q position before the public which 1t
did not wish to occupy.
Th vote resulted in the defeat of the
resol ltions by a vote of IA to 21
Delegate Woisemann offered q resolu-
tion that the former action of the Fed
Grafton, faVoring free coinage of silver at
16 to l, be reconSidered, and the reSolu-
tions committee, through which it was
presented to the convention, recommend
ed that as the subject was one on which
working men had become divided, the
best interests of the Federation would
be best served by refusing to give it any
consideration.
The resolution precipitated a heated
debate, which continued until within
Of the morning session. The subject was
disposed of finally by the adoption
1885 against 302-of a resolution reaffirm-
ing the stand taken by the American
Federation of Labor at its three past
conventions favoring the free and unlim-
tied coinage Of silver ait the ratio of 16
to 1 by the United States without the
consent or approval of any other nation,
and dsavowing any intention that this
action should be construed as indorsing
any political party.
An effort was made to bring before
the convention a resolution favoring
protective tariff. That was instantly rec
ognized as another subject fruitful of
controversy, and was greeted with a gem
eral "Oh, don't" so the resolution was
withdrawn.
At the afternoon session the special or
der for the annual election was deferred
to hear the report of the committee on
presidents report. 1t indorsed all the
recommendations of President Gompers.
The report was adopted by unanimous
vote of the convention.
The following officers were then elected,
the secretary being instructed in every
case to cast the unanimous vote of the
convention for the nominee:
Presldent-Samuel Gompers, of New
York.
First Vice President-P. J. Mcclure, of
Philadelphia.
Second Vice President-James Duncan,
of Baltimore.
Third Vice President-James O'Connell,
of Chicago.
Fourth Vice Presidential. M. Garland,
OF Pittsburg.
Secretary-Frank Morrison, of Bloom
ington, Ill.
Treasurer-John D. Lonnon, of New
York.
The selection of the place for holding
the next annual convention being in
order Delegate Henry Lloyd nominated
Nashville, Tenn. Delegate Howard, or
the Cotton Mule Splnners association,
whose experience as an organizer In the
south enabled him to speak from actual
knowledge of conditions prevailing in
that section, in seconding the motion,
made a pathetic appeal to the delegates
to extend to the. overworked and under
paid laborers men, women and children
of the south, the great benefit that would
be derived from holding national con-
ventien of the American Federation of
Labor among them. In order that they
might learn of the great good resulting
from organiza tion. Mr.. Smales, the Nash
vile delegate extended an invitation from
the Governor, the mayor, the business
men and one signed by 500 ladies'. Kan
sas City, Salt Lake City and st. Louis
were also nominated.
The vote resulted: Nashville, 1,6lS;
Kansas City, 1886; Salt Lake City, 262; st.