Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-19
LABOR FEDERATION.
RESOLUTIONS TOUCHING POWERS
OF THE COURTS DEFEATED.
The FREE COINAGE OF SILVER
Position OF the Federation on This
Subject ReraIrmed Protective
Tariff Idea Doy7ned-Gompcrs Re-
Elected President.

CINCINNATI, December ls.-At the
opening OF this mornings session Of the
convention OF the American Federation
Of Labor the following resolution. intro
duced Wednesday 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 Su-
preme courts OF the several States shall
exercise the right Of reviewing legisla-
ton: 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: ana
whereas. the exercise OF such au-
| thority by the aforesaid courts violates
the fundamental principles Of political
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
enacted into law: therefore,
Resolved. That we. the delegates OF
the American Federation OF Labor in
convention assembled. demand such
amendments 10 the Constitution Of the
United States and the constitutions OF
the several States thereof as will deprive
the aforesaid courts OF the power 10 set
aside laws duly enacted by the legally
chosen representatives OF the people, as
we believe the proper function Of the
courts is 10 expound and administer law,
but not make it,
The resolutions elected much discus
sion. The preponderance Of opinion was
that they would be construed as reflect
ing upon the courts Of the country. and
especially the United States Supreme
Court, and place the Federation Of Labor
in "a position before the public which
il did not wish TO occupy.
The result was the defeat Of the reso-
luton by a vote Of a to q.
Delegate e. y-mau OAerel "A resolution
that the former action OF the Federation.
favorng the free coinage Of silver at
1G TO ], be recOnsidered. and the Resou-
tion Committee. through which II was
presented 10 the convention. recommended
workingmen had become divided. the in
terests Of the Federation would best be
served by resusal to give it any con-
sideration
HEATED DEBATE.
The resolution precipitated heated
debate which continued until within
few minutes of the hour for adjourn
ment Of the morning session.
The subject was disposed Of finally by
the adoption of a resolution reaffirming
the stand taken by the American Fede-
ration Of Labor al its three past con-
ventions. fayOrng the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver at the ratio OF l6 10
by the United States without the con-
sent or approval of any other nation.
and disavowing any intention that this
action should be construed as endorsing
any political party, by vote Of 1885
20 302.
An effort was made 10 bring before the
convention a resolution favoring a pro-
tective tariff. That was instantly recog-
nizei as another subject fruitful Of con-
troversy. and was greeted with gene
raj "Oh, don't" so the resolution was
Withdrawn.
At the afternoon session the special
order for the annual session was de-
ferred TO hear the report OF the COM
mittee on the president report II en-
| dOrsed all the recomme endations Of Presi-
dent Gompers The report was adopted
by a unanimous vote Of the convention.
The following officers We're then elected,
the secretary being instructed IN every
case to cast the unanimous vote OF the
convention for the nominee:
President. Samuel Gompers. Of New
York.
First Vice-President. p. J. Mcclure. OF
Philadelphia.
Second Vice-President. James Judkln,
OF Baltimore, Nd.
Third Vice-President, James O'Connell.
Of Chicago.
-Four Vice President. NJ. NJ Garland. Of
Pttsburg
Secretary. Frank Morrison. of Bloom
lnston. H.
treasurer. John d. Lennon. Of New
York.
NASHVILLE NEXT TIME
The selection Of a place for holding the
next annual convention being in order.
Delegate Henry Lloyd nominated Nash
Vile. Tenn. Delegate Howard. Of the Cot
ton Mule Spinners' Association, whose ex-
perience as an organizer in the South en-
abed him 10 speak from actual knowledge
of conditions relating 10 that section, in
scconciug the motion made a pathetic
appeal to the delegates to extend TO the
overwOrked and underpaid labOrers, men,
women and children, of the South. the
great benefit that would be derived from
holding a national convention Of The
American Federation OF Labor among
them. in order that they might learn OF
the great good resulting from organiza-
ton. Mr. Smales. the Nashville delegate,
e3,tended an invitation from the Governor.
the Mayor. and the businessmen. and one
signed by SO ladies' Kansas City. Salt
Lake city and So. Louis were also nomi-
mated. The vote res-,ted:
Nashville. 1.6lS; Kansas City, 1886; Salt
lake CITY. 262 St Louis. 80