The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-15
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
sixteenth Annual Session Convene In
.CIncinnnti - The prtslueni'S Annual
AalLiIrss.

sixteenth Annual Session Convene In
.CLncinunI - The prtsiuenrS Annual
Address
CINCINNATI, o.. Dec. H.-ThC six
tccnlh annual convention OF The Fcdcr-
alton OF Labor was called to order here
at 10 a. M. to-day by President Samuel
GOmpcrs. About 100 delegates were
present, and many visitors. Martin
Fox, president OF the Iron MOldcrs' Un.
ton Of North America, hnd been selected
by the labor organizations OF Cincinnati
10 deliver the address OF welcome. Ow-
Ing to the death OF his mother, Mr.. Fox
was no; present. and his address was
read by L. ]. Denny. In the welcoming
address more effective action for the
eight hour law and other reforms were
recommended. Special greetings were
extended TO Delegates Samuel Woods
and John Mallinsun, OF England, and
Louis VIgourcaux. OF France. who were
seated with Secretary MCGraith and
Assistant Secretary Martin Walters, on
the stage.
Prcsldrn, Gompcrs, in responding to
the address OF welcome, referred 10 nt-
tncks on the organization because II was
Iract union. He showed how the fullest
scope was given to individual opinions
and rights In the American Federation
of Labor and thus the ai!llintIOr OF dit-
icrrnt labor organizations was possible
In one general federation. II" appealed
for continued efforts for the cultivation
o: public opinion. as well rs for favorable
legislation, md for the most earnest CO.
operation Of all labor organizations. At
ter the appointment OF the committee on
credentials and officers OF the cOnven-
lion. recess was taken Till go p. m,
awaiting the report Of the committee on
credentials.
At their hotel last night. President
G0mpers and John Philips were robbed
Of $50 each Wood and Mallinson, Eng
l!sh delegates, We're robbed OF cash and
Jcwclry, and several delegates OF other
articles.
The earlier part Of the afternoon was
devoted 70 the Informal consideration OF
4 resolution 10 exclude from the conren-
tiOn all representatives % non-unIOn
newspapers. When the convention wns
permanently organized. after the par
tial rephrt OF the committee on creden-
t!aiA was adopted. the resolution oy-
CottinS non-uniJn newspapers and re-
AuSlIlE Nllt4ll ltkll "-flltdllDU III IIlt con-
ventlcn was adopted without reference.
Mr.. J. F. O'SuIlIvnr. OF Boston, was the
only one asking 10 be recorded in the
negative.
The committee on credentials made A
partial report seating lis out Of rs
Most OF the others had failed to present
their credentials TO the committee, but
there were some bitter contests Wood
and Malllnson. of England. and Vigo-
reauN. Of France. were seated with al!
the privileges OF the American dele
gales.
The different recommendations In the
annual report OF Presiicn. Gompers
were referred GO the appropriate conf
mittees.
Rev. ]. ". NIngrudcr. pastor Of Wes-
ley Chapel. was present. and invited
President Go-nTers 10 occupy his pull
pit next Sunday afternoon. President
Gompcrs accepted the Invitation, and
announced that he would speak on ~
Rough Sketch OF Rugged Struggle"
Secretary McGrntth reported that the
receipts FOR the year showed m in
crease OF l5 per cent over last year.
while the balance on hand Is % per
cent greater. The membership was In
creased GS.2S2 during the year and
heavy appropriations were met for
strikes and 6the: PURPOSES In the in
tcrcst OF che federation.