The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-25
FOR FIFTEEN REASONS
Federation of Labor Opposes Ma
tiOnnl Guard Bill.

The executive council of the State
Federation of Labor last evening paid
its respects to the McGiN national
guard bill, known as H. F. 80, by the
adoption of the following resolution,
after a discussion during which the
proposed measure was thoroughly dis
sected:
Dor executive council, in behalf of the labor
organizations of Minnesota, that we are I'M
qdalifiedly opposed to H. F. 49, introduced
by Representative McGin entitled among
other things, AN act to increase the effici-
ency of the national guard of Minnesota
We are opposed to the bill for the following
reasons:
First.It injects into the so-called military
code a number of far-reach ng provisions
which seem to have escaped the vigilance of
our legislator
be called IAN act to Russiarize the state Of
Minnesota and create the adjutant general
cZar thereof
Third-It provides that no tax assessor can
draw pay for any services performed until
he has acted as recruiting agent for the
state militia.
Fourth-It compels census collectors to
bring in names of possible recruits
Fifth-It compels the assessor to establish
a system of espionage upon private dwell
ings and hotels that would do credit to the
sultan of Turkey
Sixth-It aims to place the state of Mime
sofa on a war footing, notwithstanding that
peace prevails in the land and universal ar
bltrat1on seems to find a responsive chord
in all breasts except those of militia COM
missioned officers
Seventh-It enables the military authori-
ties to increase the peace footing of the regi-
ments from eight TO fifteen companies in a
regiment.
Ninth-It creates a system of military
courts which Will take precedence of civil
courts and this would tend to keep the state
IN continual state of agitation and event
uaay tend to the abolition of trial by Jury.
Tenth-lt compels the sheriff and other
civil officers elected by the people to act as
minions of the military courts, and provides
for heavy penalties for their violations of
orders issued by militia officers.
EleVenth-It gives authority to the adm
tant general to condemn property of individ-
ualS without the authority of the legislature
or warrant of law, and compels the attorney
opera functionary.
Twelfth-It provides for an increase OF
state allowance to batteries of artillery from
$500 TO $3.50 ~
Thirteenth-1t increases the state allow
ance for camp expenses.
Fourteenth-Fhe state militia now receives
an annual appropriation of $40 COO, and this
ACT must necessarily increase it, and we
think they receive all the financial consider
alton that they deserve now
Fltteenth-lt contains so many new and
starting provisions that the widest stretch
of imagination cannot construe il TO he a
recodification,'' its friends allege. # is
IN fact an entirely new code whose proyis-
AOns oA0 ISpuSHdnl 10 our Tree institutions
These are a few reasons why we. as cttf.
gems, feel that this bill should not become
law. We ask the senate to give it careful
CONSIDERATION, and hope that your honorable
Do1y Will defeat the measure.
A complaint was made to the effect
that unauthorized persons appearing
before the committees of both branches
of the legislature representing thar
they were representatives of organized
labor, and in that capacity, wrongly
assumed, were advocating certain pro
posed measures on which the class thew
presume to represent have taken no
position. Hereafter accredited repre-
sentatiVes of the federation will be nro-
Vided with credentials.
The stand of the trades and labor as
sembly in opposition to the immigra-
ton bureau bill was Endorsed.