The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-19
LAB0R'S CLASH WITH THE LAW
GOVERNMENT BY INJUNCTION De-
FORE THE FEDERATION.

The Convention Fears the Adoption
of the Ash Resolution Might lie
Misconstrued by the People at
Large and Tables 1.-THE COnvcn-
tiOn Declares in Favor of Free
Coinage OF silver at 10 TO 1, But
DOdges the Tariff.
Cincinnati o.. Dec. 1S-At the opening
Of this mornings session of the conven-
ton of American Federation of Labor, the
following resolution, introduced Wednes-
day, by Delegate Ash OF Boston, came up
under special order:
Whereas, The written constitutions OF
the several states constituting the United
States, and also the constitution of the
United States. provide that the supreme
court of the United states and the supreme
courts of the several states shall exer-
else the right Of reviewing legislation, and,
Whereas, In the exercise of rights con-
ferred, 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 fun
damental principles of a political orRani-
zation, which claims to be a government
OF the people, by the people, and for the
people, and
Whereas no authority contained on pa
per, or exercised by courts can be greater
than the will of the people when enacted
in law, therefore,
Resolved, that we, the delegates of the
American Federation of Labor in conven-
ton assembled, demand such amendments
n al lon nf he TTntta
and the constitutions of the several states
thereof, as will deprive the aforesaid
courts OF power to set aside laws duly en-
acted by the legally chosen representa-
tives OF the people as we believe the proper
functions of the court to be to expound
and administer law, but not to make it,
The resolutions elected much discuss
sion, the preponderance Of the opinion be-
ing that they would be construed as re-
tiecting upon the courts of the country,
and especially the United States supreme
court and place the federation of labor in
position before the public which it did
not wish to occupy.
The vote resulted In the defeat OF the
resolutions by a vote of II to 81
Delegate Weisemann offered a resolu-
ton that the former action Of the feder-
alton, favoring free coinage Of silver at
l6 to !, be reconsidered and the resolutions
committee, through which 1t was pre-
sented to the convention, recommend that
as the subject was one on which working
men had become divided, the best inter-
ests of the federation would best be serv-
ed by refusing to give II any consideration.
The resolution precipitated a heated de-
bate which continued until within a few
moments Of the hour for adjournment OF
the morning session. The subject was dis
posed Of finally by the adopton-by vote
of ], 1886 against 302-of a resolution reafirm-
Ing the stand taken by the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor at its three past conven-
tions favorlng the free and unlimited coin
age of silver a the ratio of 16 to 1 by the
United States without the consent or APP
proval Of any other nation, and disavoW-
ing any intention that this action should
be construed as indorsing any political
party.
An effort was made TO bring before the
convention a resolution favoring a pro-
tective tariff. That was instantly recog-
nized as another subject fruitful Of cou-
troversy, and was greeted with general
"Oh, don't" SO the resolution was with
drawn.
AT the afternoon session the special or
der for the annual election was deferred
TO hear the report Of the committee on
the presidents report 1t indo-sed all the
communications of President Gompers.
The report was adopted by an unanimous
vote of the convention.
The following officers were then elected,
case to cast the unanimous vote OF the
convention for the nominee;
President-Samuel Gompers of New
York.
First Vice Presldent-P. ]. Mcclure of
Philadelphia.
Second Vice President--James Duncan
Of Baltimore, Md.
Third Vice Presldent-James O'Connell
of Chicago.
Fourth Vice Presidential M. Garland
of Pittsburg
Secretary-Frank Morrison Of Blooming
ton, ILL.,
Treasurer-John d. Lennon Of New
York.
The selection of the place for holding
the next annual convention being in or
der, Delegate Henry Lloyd nominated
Nashville, Tenn.
Delegate Howard OF the Cotton Mule
Spinners' Association, whose experience
as an organizer in the south enabled him
to speak from actual knowledge of condi-
tions prevailing In that section, in sec
ondng the motion, made a pathetic ap-
peal to the delegates to extend
to the overworked and underpaid
laborers, men, women and children of the
south, the great benefit that would be de-
rived from holding a national convention
OF the American federation oflabor among
them in order that they might learn of the
great good resulting from organization.
Mr.. Smales, the Nashville delegate. ex-
tended an invitation from the governor,
the mayor, the business men and one sign
ed by five hundred ladies.
Kansas City, Salt Lake City and st.
Louis were also nominated. The vote re-
suited: Nashville, l,6lS; Kansas City, 1886;
Salt Lake City 262; st. Louis, 250.