The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-16
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Some Lively Scenes at the Second
Days Session.

Cincinnati. O.. Dec. 1.-THE second
ton of Labor was called to order this
morning by President Gompers, who
Yielded the chair to Vice-President Nc
CURE, of Philadelphia.
The auditing committee reported they
had examined the accounts of officers
and found them correct. The case of
Delegate Ryan, of the tin cornice work.
ers, was taken from the committee on
credentials, and referred to the COM
mittee on grievances.
At the afternoon session, the case of
William c. Pomeroy was taken up.
PomeroyS seat is contested by Z. o.
Woodbury. of Chicago, on the ground
that Pomeroy owes 1888 TO the Illinois
State Federation of Labor. He is also
charged with violating the constitu-
ton of the Federation of Labor by
issuing a circular in the interest of
political party. bearing his signature
as general organizer of the Federation
of Labor, and this seemed to be -he
real nut which the convention had to
crack. Pomeroy's defense on the first
charge is that the money to pay the
claim is on deposit, but payment has
been delayed 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 a
defense that the circular was issued in
consequence of and to offset the effect
of circular previously issued in the
interest of another political party and
signed by John Mcbride as ex-presi-
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 were ordered
read, before the convention.
Delegate Ed O'Donnell of Central
Labor Union. Boston; John B. Lem
mon, OF JOurneymen TailOrs' union of
America, and Vice-President OConnell
made speeches against the admission
of William c. Pomeroy as delegate,
combining their remarks to the politi-
cal aspect of the case, and condemn
ing, in unmeasured 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 line
were made by o. E. Woodbury., of the
Illinois State Federation Thomas I.
Kidd, of the Illinois State Federation.
and David Kregling, of st. Louis
Trades and Labor Council. The three
latter also referred to the charges from J
the Illinois branch, and stigmatized
Pomeroy as a defaulter and his defense
that the 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; that in fact. Pom
eroy had acted in bad faith with the
Illinois branch throughout his dealings
with it.
James Duncan, of the Granite Cut
ters' National union, after a speech in
which he called attention to the fact
that the objection was against the man
and not against the organization issu-
ing his credentials, moved that the ere
dentials be approved, the delegate
seated and the matter referred to the
Chicago Hotel and Restaurant Alliance
for action. The debate, which had
taken on a somewhat excited aspect,
was cut short by a motion for the pre-
vious question, which had many
prompt seconds.
The amendment was voted down by
an overwhelming majority. and the
original question was then called for 1t I
was that the credentials be rejected,
and William c. Pomeroy refused a seat
in the convention. The roll was called |
and resulted in a vote of 1876 yeas and |
1856 NAYS.
The convention then adjourned until |
a m tomorrow