Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-24
FEDERATED LABOR
The Annual Convention at Cincinnati
Next Month.
IMPORTANT WORK LAID OFF FOR IT
Educational Qualification for !mml-
grants Opposed by the Federation
VARIOUS OTHER MATTERS

The sixteenth annual convention OF the
American Federation of Labor, which be-
gins in Cincinnati December IA. VIII De the
most interesting thus far held Ill the MIS-
tory of the organization. Information
from serni-official sources states that much
that is of material importance will be
brought before the delegates for their con-
sideration. Among these will be PROPOSE
ton urging Congress to pass, at It's next
session. the bill giving trial by jury and
other. safeguards in prosecution for con
tempt cases, and limiting the power of fed
eral judges, which was adopted at the last
session by the Senate. but did not reach
the House. indorsing the efforts of the
Seaman's International Union to secure re-
lief from Congress for the many heavy
burdens they are now compelled to bear,
and urging the passage of the bills now
pending in their interest, and to oppose the
passage OF the immigration bill pending IN
Congress at the close of the last session.
The immigration Question.
The preamble and resolutions which will
be offered fer adoption at the convention
set forth that There is an immigration
bill pending before Congress, which pro-
poses to apply the educational test to those
seeking admission to our shores, such bill
having already passed the House. Illiteracy
does not necessarily make criminals any
mere than education creates Paragons. In
spite OIL education, We DO not md honesty in
legislative halls, nor even sound reasoning
On the contrary. the honest men are found
in the common walks of life, and there too
can be found the best intellects if they per-
SlSt in frank expression. To say that men
tend to crime because illiterate is to dis
pute natures grandest Iaw-that mankind
tends to advance. gradually mounting high
er and higher in ratio with the freedom
which they enjoy. If this advance cannot
be made. the fault rests not in lack of abili-
ty, but lack of opportunity. If the oppor
tunity is limited, the logical and just RENE
dy is to remove the limit. If legislatures
refuse to do this, they themselves are
wrongdoers and oppressors of the unfortu-
nate and uneducat ted.
1.-The American Federation of Labor is on
record against further restriction of immi-
grafton other than by the laws already
enacted. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That we designate the pro-
posed law as Illogical, unjust and an at
tempt at patchwork. well as to throw a
sep to the discontinued, while shading the
real evils of our social system; and be it
further
Resolved. That copies of these resoIu
tions be forwarded to the House and Sen
ate at the next session of Congress, and to
the President of the United States
other Items of Work.
Other matters which to come up for
consideration and upon which it Is antic1-
pated the action of the convention will
be favorable are: The engagement by
President Gompers of the services of Vice
President Duncan on the seamen's bills
pending in Congress; to confirm the in
dorsement by the executive council of a
circular issued by the International Typo
graphical Union relative to the government
ownership of telegraph: to cooperate with
the seamen's organizations in attaining
their desired ends; to adopt a plan on
eight-hour agitation for the coming year.
and to take favorable action on the rail-
way arbitration bill, &c.
Increase of Membership.
tive council will, it Is understood, state
that during the past fiscal year there was.
as compared with the corresponding period
the financial receipts amounting to 81 SO
per cent; that during the past seven
months 1871 charters have been granted to
organizations. of which six were national
twenty-one central and two state; also
that the American Federation of Labor
gained during the past year about 7OUD
members. Notwithstanding that during the
had been done.
Steps will also be taken to make the
union label and the boycott more effective
than ever, likewise to organize all
branches of the bicycle trade. such as
polisisers. filers. machinists, assemblers and
Others so that there will be an allied trades
council in each city to be composed of
which should be consulted upon all matters
affecting the several organizations, and
thus avoid conflict or hasty action.