New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-15
FEDERATION or LIBOR MEETS.
PRESIDENT GOMPERs REVIEWS THE WORK ~
BEHALF OF THE ORGANIzATlON DIR
ING TIE YEAR.

ING THE YEAR.
Cincinnati Dec 1.-THE sixteenth annual con
vention OF the American Federation OF Labor as
semblcd at odd Fellows Hail 10 o'clock this
morning. II is the largest In number and the most
important meeting ever held by the Federation.
Ono hundred and twenty-f delegates some Of
them from Europe are in attendance. The conven-
ton was called 10 order b. President Samuel
Gompcrs Fred Basely. president OF the Cincinnati
Central Labor Council. welcomed the delegates
behalf OF the local committee. and f. j. Denny.
OF the Iron Mouldcrs' Union. on behalf of Cincin-
nat.
Mayor Caldwell! delivered an address OF welcome.
which responded 10 10y PresIen, Gompers. Tn"
temporary organizations was then effected and the
convention proceeded with the business before IT,
In his annual ADDRESS Presiden, Gompors said In
part:
In the matter legislation by Congress during
the year bin has been introduced amcndlns the
Eight-lour law and making IL apply to all Gov
ernnena work. whether Performed direct or by
contract report on the bill is expected az this
session The bin providing that officers of organi-
zations of labor In the performance OF their duties
shall not be subject to injunction proceedings AMI
thereby placed in a position conumacious OF the
awaits the action OF the House. The Non-partisan
Commission bill. commonly known the Phillips
action OF the senate. The bill which provides that
permitted to be transported into any other state
has also been reported TO the House by the Com
In the matter of our amendment, to the Eight
Hour law, we nave nud many manifestations Of
opposition from quarters which should have Ia
vored Il.
that representatives OF mis- Federation be- cor
stantly at the service OF tho Government during
the session OF Congress. to guard ard further the
legislation which our organizations demand IN the
interests ~ labor.
Union clause was adopted In its Constitution
authorizing the Legislature 20 limit the hours Of
Ia that cgh, hours shall constitute days yort
Tho mine owners violated tho law. convicted
LII No. Gtafs
court declared the law constitutional Tho mine
owners have now appealed to the rnltcl States
Supreme Court. The corporations and trusts or
the State have united for the purpose OF having
the eight hour constitutional provision OF the State
our membership during the year has increased
Beyond doubt tew If any. viii contend ,ha,
workers should refuse TO avail themselves OF their
,h@ Inc between political action in the ncr"s %;
the recent political campaign that IS. in refusing
TO commit our organization myself to either o,
the parties | by no means allayci personal or or
partlsans OF one side | was suppose. To be work
ing in tho interests % the silver barons': by the
other captured for the gold bugs" Men
were unable to be governed by the single purpose
to try 20 steer our craft o. tradcs-unionisn coar
from the shoals and rocks upon which many o.
labor's previous efforts were wrecked
We earnestly seek the sincere cooperation ~ all
fa'r-mindel men and women OF our time. and de-
care openly aud unequivocallv our purpose to c-
mand The general enforcement OF the cight-hour
workday. May /. 1855, and to that end We shall
bend our every cNorf.
Some opposition to the re-e.ccion OF President
Gompers and Secretary Mccrath developed this
morning Tho candidacy OF Harry Lloyd OF Ros-
ton. member OF the Carpenters Intcrna ionai
Union for president announced Frank Morri-
son, OF Chicago delegate from the International
Typographical Union. Is an active candidate for
secretary He is doing considerable WORK and this
morning II stated that he would start Off with
two-thirds OF the 2S votes OF his cran. although
President Prescott of the international Typoeraph-
ical Union Is said he In favor o. the rejection
OF McCraith.
There is considerable talk of frobrand that
has been prepared for the convention In the shape
of resolutions pledgng the Federation TO give IT'S
support and influence to the agitation that the
supporters OF silver nt Is to intend 10 carry
for the next four Any move In this d-
recion will he vigorously fought by President Com
pcrs and many other old FEEDER itionlsis and IN
not likely to succeed. as II Is constitutional law
that consideration OF political party questions shall
not he con .idered discussed by the organza ton