The record-union., 1896-12-16
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND
DAYS SESSION.
The Convention Rejects the Creden-
tials of an Illinois Dele.
gate.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 1o-The second
days session of the American Fedora
ton of Labor was called to order this
morning by President Gompers, who
yielded the chair to Vice President Nc
Guire of Philadelphia
The Auditing Committee reported
that they had examined the accounts of
officers and found them correct.
The case of Delegate Ryan of the Tin
Cornice Workers was taken from the
Committee on Credentials and referred
to the Committee on Grievances.
AT the afternoon session the case of
William G. Pomeroy wsSs Staken up.
Pomeroy'S seat is contested by f. O.
Woodbury. of Chicago. on the ground
that Pomeroy owes S3SS to the Illinois
State Federation of Labor. He is also
charged with violating the constitution
of the Federation of Labor by issuing
a circular in the interest of a political
party bearing his signature as General
Organizer of the Federation of Labor.
and this seemed to be the real nut which
the convention had to crack.
Pomeroys defense on the first charge
is that the money to pay the claim is
on deposit, but payment has been de-
layed by attachment, and that the
amount will be turned over as soon as
pending litigation is concluded. On the
second charge he sets up as defense
that the circular was issued in conSe-
quence of and to offset the effect of a
circular previously issued in the in
terest of another political party. and
clio 1xy Tob
dent of the American Federation of
Labor Owing to an accident by which
he badly wrenched his ankle, Pomeroy
was unable to be in attendance at the
convention while his case was being
acted on.
A motion was made that the Creden-
tials of Mr.. Pomeroy be rejected.
On motion the charges preferred by
the Illinois State Federation We're or
dered read before the convention.
Delegates Ed. O'Donnell Of Central
Labor Union, Boston; John B. Lennon
Of Journeymen Tailors' Union of
America, and Vice-President O'Connell
made speeches against the admission of
William c. Pomeroy as a delegate, con-
fining their remarks to the political as
pect of the case, and condemning in un-
measured terms his action in issuing a
political partisan circular which he
signed as Organizer of the American
Federation of Labor.
Speeches along the same general lines
We're made by o. E. Woodbury. and
Thomas l. Kidd of the Illinois State
Federation and Dnvid D. Kregling of
O. r Ty,,ol l.,., r Cc,
three latter also referred to the charges
from the Illinois branch, and stigma
tiZed Pomeroy as a defaulter, and his
defense that payment OF the claim
against him was prevented by litigation
as false and unfounded. They held
that the withholding of the money was
only one violation of the contract, and
that there were others; in fact, Pomeroy
had acted in bad faith with the Illinois
branch throughout his dealings with
it,.
James Duncan of the Granite Cutters
National Union, after a speech in which
he called attention to the fact that the
objection was against the man and not
the organization issuing his credentials.
moved that the credentials be approved,
the delegate seated and the matter re-
ferred to the Chicago Hotel and Res
taurant Alliance for action.
The debate, which had taken on a
somewhat exciting aspect. was cut
short by a motion for the previous ques-
ton, which had many prompt seconds
The amendment was voted down by
an overwhelming majority. and the
original question was then called for 1t
was that the credentials be rejected, and
William c. Pomeroy refused a seat in
the convention. The roll was called and
resulted in vote of 1879 yeas and 1876
nays.
The convention then adjourned until
8 a. m. tomorrow.