Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11
Seventeenth Annual Convention Of
the American Federation.
PROBABLE CONTEST OVER PRESIDENCY
Many important Matters Slated for
Consideration.
IN THE DISTRICT

American Federation of Labor will be
called to order in the hall of the house of
representatives, at Nashville, Tenn, prompt
ly at 10 o'clock Monday morning by Mr..
Samuel Gompers. president of the organi-
cation. 1t is expected that there will be
full attendance Of delegates, among them
being many of the prominent leaders of a
constituency numbering almost 100000 in
the trades union organizations. Governor
Taylor of Tennessee will deliver an adj
dress OF welcome the delegates, and
Mayor Dudley will extend to them the free
Com of the city of Nashville.
The convention will in some. respects be
more important than any yet held since its
organization. There is likely to be some
thing of a contest for the presidency Of
the organization. though 1t is generally be-
lieved that President Gompers, who is now
serving his nineteenth term. will again be
reelected. Other sspirants for the honor
are Henry Weissmann of New York. form
er president Of the Bakers and Connection
ers' NatioLal Union; w. b. Prescott Of In
dianapolis president of the International
Typographical Union, and James O'Connell
Of Chicago third vice president of the A.
r. OF L., and grand raster machinist of
the National Organization Of Machinists
Ihere will, 1t Is believed. be some changes
In the composition of the executive COM
mittee. and Edward Boyce, president of
the Western Federation of Miners will
probably be given a place therein. Mr.
Boyce Is leader Of party affiliated with
the A. F. Of L., which believes that the or
sanlzation Is managed on lines which are
TOO conservative, and should he secure a
seat In the executive council he will prob
ably endeavor to have it become much
more aggressive. He is also anxious to
have the headquarters of the A. F. Of l.,
removed from Washington and located in
a western city, and 1t is said he also wishes
to divide the A. F. Of L. into two bodies
one to be called the western federation.
Those who are on the inside say he will
fail in both schemes.
4 Local Question.
Probably the most important Of all the
subjects to be considered at the convention
will be a paper adopted by the Central La
Dor Union of Washington, and sent to the
higher body for Endorsement, as follows:
Political conditions exist in the District
of Columbia which deny the right of citi-
Zenship and outrages the cardinal princi-
Piles of this republic. Residents are politi-
cal aliens, and, under the existing govern
ment, are reduced to the condition of SUBJ
jects, dependent upon the will and wthims
of an appointed triumvirate, which, by
virtue Of its tenure. is not responsible to
the people. Every department of our Dis
trict government is controlled by officials
who hold place and power without our con-
sent. and taxes are imposed and laws en-
acted 1Or our government LII violation or
that principle for which our fathers strug
gled and transmitted to US as an heirloom
the right of representation and the con-
sent of the governed in all matters affect
ing the life, liberty and property of the
citizen.
Without the franchise the citizens are
powerless to enforce any demand for the
general good: petitions are UNDECIDED and
grievances unredressed Therefore, believ-
ing that of right should be free and
enjoy all the rights and privileges of other
citizens, we appeal to those of the great in
dustrial brotherhood to aid US in our eff
forts to secure the franchise
The delegate from the Central Labor
Union, Mr.. Silver, will bring this matter to
the attention of the American Federation
of Labor and in behalf of the organization
request that the representatives of organ
lied labor and all central bodies through
out the country shall petition their respect
i've representatives in Congress to favor
legislation which will secure to the resi-
dents of the District of Columbia the rights
and privileges Of American citizenship.
Next in Importance, 1t is considered. will
De the order issued about three weeks ago
by Grand Master Machinst O'Conneil of
the Machinists National Union instructing
the members of the local unions throughout
the United States to demand the displace
ment of printers who are acting as tenders
for linotype machines and the employment
in their stead of machinists.
Among other propositions to be consid-
cred will be that of the Cincinnati (Ohio)
Central Labor Council, which will ask for
the Endorsement of movement for politi
cal action by the working class, indepen-
dent Of the two old political parties.