The record-union., 1896-12-19
Defeated by Vote of Fcrty.Two to
Twenty-Five.
The Congress Reaffirms the Stand
Taken in Past Conventions of
the Federation FavOring the Un-
limited Coinage of Silver at the
the Consent or Approval of Any
Other Nation.


ing of this mornings session of the
convention of the American Federation
of Labor the resolution introduced
Wednesday by Delegate Ashe of Bos-
ton came up under special order. The
resolution demands such amendments
to the Constitution of the United States
as shall deprive the Supreme Court of
the United States and the Supreme
Courts of the several States OF the
power of reviewing and setting aside
laws duly enacted by the representa-
tives of the people. The resolution
elected much discussion. The vote re-
suited in the defeat Of the resolution by
a vote of A to p.
Delegate WeiSemann offered a reso-
luton that the former action of the
federation favoring the free coinage of
silver at 16 to ] be reconsidered by the
Resolutions Committee, through which
it was presented to the convention; re-
commencing that as the subject was
one on which workingmen had become
divided, the best interests of the fed
GRAFTON would be best served by refus-
ing to give it any consideration.
Delegate Yarnell offered a substitute
reaffirming the former action of the
federation on the silver question.
Delegate John r. Lennon of the
Journeymen Tailors offered as a sub
stitute to the resolutions presented by
Delegate Yarnell a resolution reaffirm-
ing the stand taken by the American
Federation of Labor at it's three past
conventions, favoring the free and un-
limited coinage of silver at the ratio of
IS to l by the Uniteu States, without
the consent or approval of any other
nation, and disavowing any intention
that this action should be construed as
idorsing any political party.
The Lennon substitute was carried
by a vote of 80 against 80.
The convention then adjourned until
2:30 p. m.
At the afternoon session the special
order for the annual election was de-
ferred to hear the report of the Com
nrittee on the Presidents Report. 1t in
dorsed all the recommendations of
President Gompers in every instance,
and was indorsed by a unanimous vote
of the convention.
The following officers were then
elected, in every case the Secretary be-
ing instructed to cast the unanimous
vote of the convention for the nomi-
nee:
President, Samuel Gompers of New
York; First Vice-President, P. j. Nc
Guire of Philadelphia; Second Vice
President, James Duncan of Balti-
To,
O'Connell of Chicago; Fourth Vice
President. NJ. NJ. Garland of Pittsburg;
Secretary, Frank Morrison of Bloom
ington, ILL.,; Treasurer, John d. Lennon
of New York.
The only change in the list of officers
from those chosen at the last conven-
ton was in the Secretaryship.
In response to an enthusiastic call
from the delegates President Gompers
thanking it for it's testimonial of con-
fidence, and saying that in view of re-
cent events his practically unanimous
reelection was one of the greatest, If
not the greatest, satisfaction of his life.
Mr.. Mcclure, the First Vice Presi-
dent, declined to be a candidate, stating
that after ten years of service, in which
time he had seen the organization de-
velop to a point where he knew it was
out of all danger, and in view Of the
fact that his own organization demand
ed all the time he had to give it, he
must withdraw for younger men. who
could probably serve the federation bet
ter than he could. The delegates re
fused to accept his declination and
unanimously reelected him, and when
they called on him for a speech he
simply rose to his feet and said: II am
not satisfied"
Martin Fox and George F.. Mcneil
were elected fraternal delegates to the
British Trades Union Congress, which
is to assemble at Birmingham. Eng
land, on the first Monday in September.
1891, and John B. Lennon and Horace
NJ Eaton were chosen alternates.
The selection of a place for holding
tie next annual convention being in
order, Nashville, Kansas City, Salt
Lake City and st. Louis were named.
On roll call the vote resulted in the
choice of Nashville.
The Committee on the Eight-Hour
Movement handed in its report, which
instructed the Executive Council to do
everything in its power to attain the
end aimed at; that the entire constitu-
ency of the American Federation of
Labor strive for the accomplishment of
a. universal eight-hour work day, and
that aid would be furnished in sustain
ing the contest in this respect now on
in the State of Utah. The report was
ordered printed. and will come up for
action later.
The special committee Endorsement
of the boycott against the Kansas City
Armour Packing Company. including
the Armour Company in Chicago, as
it was satisfied the two concerns were
under the one head and working to-
gether in the fight against organized
labor, was presented. All Of the COM
mittee recommendations will come be-
fore the convention at a future time.
1t was moved that when the conven-
tion adjourn it be to reconvene at 1:30
o'clock Delegate Phillips protested.
and his protest met with such an
unanimous outburst of approval that the
motion was withdrawn.