The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-12-19
DIDN'T PASS 1T
Resolution Relating to the Su'
preme Court and the
Constitution
Voted Down by the Delegates to
the American Federation
Convention.
Some Delegates Favored Total
Abolition of State and Fed
eral Constitutions.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 19-There was
full attendance at the morning session |
of the American Federation of Labor.
President Gompers, after the unanl. |
NOUS yindication and endorsement
which he received at the executive ses-
sion, was in cheerful spirit. His
accuser, Secretary August McGraith,
was at his desk as usual, but his friends
were freely expressing their regret at
his course in instigating the charges
presented by Delegate Malone.
1t was ordered that the selection of
the place for holding the next annual
convention be made Immediately after
the election of officers at the afternoon
session. The special order Of the hour
was the following resolution by Dele
gate Ashe of Boston.
Whereas. the written constitutions of
the several states constituting the
United States, and also the cOnstitu-
ton of the United States, provide that
the supreme court of the United States
and the supreme court Of the several
states shall exercise the right of review.
ing legislation, and,
Whereas, in the exercise Of the rights
so conferred, the courts of the several
states and 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 author
ity by the aforesaid courts violates the
fundamental principles Of politica,
organization which claims to be a gov
ernment of the people, by the people
and for the people, and,
Whereas, no authority contained on
paper, or exercised by courts. can be
greater than the will Of the people
when formally enacted into law, there
fore,
Resolved, That we, the delegates OF
the American Federation Of Labor, in
convention assembled, demand such
amendments to the constitution of the
United States, and the constitutions OF
the several states thereof, as will de.
prive the aforesaid courts of power tC
set aside laws duly enacted by the
legally chosen representatives of the
people, as we believe the proper func.
ton of courts to be to expound and
administer law, but not to make it.
i The discussion was participated in
by most of the delegates, who reviewed
the imprisonment of Eugene V. Debs
and other labor leaders, who have been
prosecuted on account of strikes. There
was considerable opposition to the reso'
luton. The decision on the income
tax was referred to bitterly. Some OF
the speakers condemned the courts &C.
verely, but most of the speakers helt
that the constitutions were against the
laboring classes more than the courts
and favored abolishing all constitution
as it was so difficult to amend these in
struments so as to comply with th'
changes Of the times.
i When the vote was taken on the res
olution it was defeated, 2l yeas to A
nays.
A resolution extending aid and co
operation to the Colorado miners wa
adopted.
The silver question was next taken III
and a resolution was adopted reaffirm
ing the action Of the national conven
tions of 1898, 1895 and 1895, in endors
ing the free and unlimited coinage o
silver at the ratio Of 16 to /.
Mr.. Gompers YVES reelected presiden
by unanimous vote.