The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-19
Nashville Selected the Next Place
of Meeting, Over st. Louis. Kansas
City and Salt Lake City.
DEBS RESOLUTION REJECTED
OF THE FEDERAL AND
STATE JUDICIARY DEFEATED.
Previous Action of the Federation ON
the silver Question Reafirmed Aft
er "a Heated Political Debate.

CINCINNATI, Dec. lS.-Samuel Gompers
was unanimously reelected president Of
the American Federation of Labor this
afternoon. August McCraith. who preferred
the charges against the president yester-
day. was not candidate for reelection 10
the secretaryship and the place given
to Frank Morrison. of Chicago. representing
the Typographical Union OF that city.
Nashville selected the next meet
ing place. The officers elected follow:
President-Samuel Gompers.
Vice President-P. j. Mcguire, of Phila-
delphia.
Second Vice President-JGmcs Duncan. of
Third Vice President James O'Connell.
of Chicago.
Fourth Vice President-M. NJ. Garland. of
Secretary-Frank Morrison. of Chicago.
Treasurer-John Il. Lennon, of Blooming
ton, Ill.
Delegates to the British Trades Congress
George L. McNeill o; Boston. and Martin
Fox. of Cincinnati
The unanimous reelection OF President
Gompers was not unexpected after the
events Of yesterday. The complete exon
Grafton Of that gentleman from the charges
made by Secretary McCraith was regarded
as equivalent to reelection. and not one
delegate had the temerity to propose
other candidate. President Prescott. of the
international Typographical Union. had
been suggested as a successor TO Mr.. Gcm-
pers if the latter was retired. but Mr.. Pres
colt did not permit his name TO be used.
Several propositions gave rise to spirited
debates during the day. One was a reso-
luton demanding such changes in the fed
eral and State constitutions would de-
prive courts "of power 10 set aside laws
duly enacted by the legally chosen repre-
sentatives Of the people. IL was supported
by delegates who thought the federal courts
acted in an arbitrary manner during the
strike precipitated by Eugene v. Debs at
Chicago. The resolution was defeated. The
silver question in several forms was also
discussed. with great warmth at times.
The outcome was the adoption OF a reso-
luton reaffirming the action of previous
conventions as to the free coinage OF silver.
but refusing to indorse any political party.
ANTI-JUDICIARY RESOLUTION.
There was a full attendance at the MORN
ing session. President Gompers. after the
unanimous vindication and Endorsement
which he received at the executive session
| last night, was i'm cheerful spirits. His ac-
| cuser, Secretary August McCraith. was at
his desk usual but his friends were
freely expressing their regret at his course
yesterday i'm instigating the charges pre-
sented by Delegate Malone. The special
order of the hour the following resolu-
tiOn by Delegate Ashe. of Boston:
Whereas. the written constitutions OF
! the several States constituting the United
| States, and also the Constitution OF the
! United States. provide that the Supreme
| Courts of the United States and the Su-
preme 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 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 funda-
mental principles Of a political organiza-
| tion which claims TO be government of
the people, by the people and for the peo-
pie; .;ynSl.a and, 10 au,nor,,v oon,a,nsa IN No.
per, 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 conven-
| ton assembled demand such amendments
to the constitIti1n OF =, the me snltea States
thereof. as will deprive the Aforesaid courts
\ of power TO set aside laws duly enacted
/ the people. as we believe the proper func-
ton of courts 10 be TO expound and admin
I lister law. but not TO make it..
/ The discussion was participated In by
most of the delegates. who reviewed the
| imprisonment OF Eugene V. Debs and other
/ labor leaders who have been prosecuted on
! account of strikes. There was considerable
1 Opposition TO the resolution The decision
/ on the income tax was referred 10 bitterly.
Some of the speakers condemned the courts
/ severely. but most Of the speakers held that
i the constitutions were against the iaboring
classes more than the courts. and favored
| aboIishing all constitutions. as IL was SO
difficult TO amend these instruments so as
10 comply with the changes OF times The
| Ashe resolution was defeated-yeas. q;
| nays, A.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
| The committee on resolutions reported
| the silver resolution of Mr. Weisman. OF
| Brooklyn. with the recommendation and
| remark that when the previous three ma
| tionaI conventions OF the Federation voted
for free silver it was then an economic
question and now that IL has become a
| political question the committee asked that
the issue be not revived or I'm any manner
reconsidered and that the resolution OF Mr.
| Weisman be tabled without debate or any
| motion The resolution provided for the
| reconsideration OF the resolution for free
coinage adopted at the three preceding ma
| tional conventions.
| the report and made "a very bitter speech.
| attacking even Delegate John r. ToDin.
| who was presiding. Delegate Sullivan
moved TO concur in the report and hoped
! this old controversy would not again dis
| turb and consume the time OF the conven.
| tion. Delegates Weisman. OF Brooklyn. and
| Kenehan. OF Denver. indulged In very
| personal controversy on the floor over the
! question. The personalities were finally di-
| rected by Delegate kenehan TO Chairman
| Tobin. Delegate farnell made vigorous
silver speech and tried 10 offer substitute.
| but was prevented by motion 10 lay the
| whole matter the table. The motion &c
table the Weisman resolution, the rep0rt
and motions thereon. was defeated-yeas.
Mr. Yarnen, OF Colorado then offered IA
a substitute a resolution reaiirming the ac~
1894 and 1880 In indorsing the Tree and ~