The morning times., 1896-08-03
KEEP Professionalism
President GOmperS Gives Ad-
vice to Trades UniOniStS.
GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT
Interesting Address at an Open
Meeting In Typographical Temple.
Effect Of Unionism in washington
During the Past Twelve Years and
Its Future II Rightly Pursued.

Sduuei uolblerS, preSluent OF Tue AHheii-
eau Federation Of Labor. addressed the
trades unionists Of the city yesterday after
noon at Typographical Temple. The adj
dress WASH practical tslk on several ques-
tions of vital Importance to the labOring
classes and was delivered in an informal
manner.
These matters he discussed in tenn
perate, logical manner, pointing out the
remedy for existing evils rather than at
tributing them TO class W party. Only
once during his address did he refer to
politics. This was when he said that
while it was the duty of every one to take
deep aud active interest in all public
questions, particularly those which re-
lated in any way 10 the welfare Of the
laboring Glasses, above all things to be
careful that the discussion of the qucs-
tons be strictly prohibited within the
halls OF labor meetings.
The meeting was held under the aus
pces OF the Central Labor Union, which
is affiliated with the American Federation
OF Labor. The call was for 3 O'Clock,
but owning to the noii-arrival OF Mr..
connections, the meeting was rot opened
MR.. GoMPERs INTRODUCED.
The speaker was introduced by Presi-
dent Spobn, who spoke of Mr.. Gompers as
one of the most sincere advocates of the
interests OF The iaboring classes, leader
whose reputation for battling for the rights
of the workingmen and women OF the couH-
try was well known over two continents
one whose name was treasured word
among the working people of all countries.
Mr.. Gompers, after explaining the cause
of his delay, said that he would not de-
tain the audience long, as he knew well
that after their long wait most of them
were anxious to return home. In referring
to his first visit to the city several years
ago he said he was glad TO notice that
there was u great change in the condi-
tons and surroundings For fifteen years
past the labor movement i'll this city, he
said, had been diverted from its natural
course and purpose by the Vaccinations
81 men who would ride rough shod over the
laborins classes into prOmine nee and place.
Ten years ago / feared that trade
uDionists III this City were letting their
rights be tramped upon and called to task
these people whom termed the buccaneers
of labor. Shortly after read in the papcN
interviews with these local rulers that if
dared come back here | would be treated
TO a dose Of unmatched chickens l
came, and in opening my address para
phrased a quotation from Shakespeare and
said, If you have any unmatched chickens
prepare TO throw them, for l intend re-
iterlting what have said here before.
ADVANCEMENT OF IAROR
since then, however. there has been
i great change in the sentiment of the
people, especially the latoring classes.
They opened their eyes and saw for them
selves, and decided no longer TO be used
IS stepping stones FOR the adya HoenIcn; OF
the selfish interests OF others.
Trades uniuns have organized undez
tile banner of he American Federation of
Labor whose sole aim is the bettcrmebt and
development uf the interests of the toiling
masses. Our purpose is te eGuaIize, to
build up, not TO tear down. IL is not "A
movement Tor the benefit of few, for
there are none so low as cannot aspire
TO the highest honor, and none so hirl.
who will not 20 down, ana if not able
TO alleviate, viii share the suffcrirgs of
the most humble.
1t is the duty OF all sincere members
81 organized labor to go forth and preach
the gospel of the cause; tell what we have
suffered whit we have accomplished in
the past, and also proclaini what we eX-
pect To do in the future. citation on
these lines has increased the membership
over 80 per cent during the last five
months, and there is no doubt that it
will in
NO PARTISAN POLITICS.
"still,' he continued, while this is
being done, always bear i'll mind that
above all things beware of allowing
partisan politics to creep into the dis.
cussions at labor meetings. Such should
be avoided with as much care as the
discussion of religious topics.
The trades union movement is as
much above party politics as the sun
is above the earth, and this fact was
never so forcibly impressed upon me as
in Dublin, Ireland.
There the t.ades unonists were diyid-
ed,'' he said, ''Parneu and anti ParncIl,
and would fight each other to the death
on political matters, but never within
the labor hall was the subject of politics
49, '''SH W ny any VI thc'h. EtlIei
November we will still have need for
the protection given US by our labor
organizations, for it is Eot the Mckinley
bill nor the. Wilson bill, but the dollar
bill in which the masses are interested,
and 1t is through organized labor, and
not politics, that we viii get them"
In conclusion he congratulated the menu
beers on the firm organization they had
established, and the great change which
had been brought about in public senti-
ment. President Gompers will leave here
early this morning for Baltimore, his
objective point, however. being New York,
where, on the 9TH instant nc will ad-
dress the tailors at Cooper Hall.
PLANNING FOR LABOR DAY