Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-31
LABOR CONFERENCE.
1T IS APPARENTLY NOT VERY sUC-
CCssFUL.
SPECIAL SESSION or CONGRESS-.
Ratchford Insists That This Ought
10 lie Asked mt Ouce-"GOvern-
ment by Injunction, Denounced
Debs's Social Democracy.

Ing, had busy day. What the conference
has accomplished, IL anything. 10 in doubt.
IL is not believed that the leaders have
attained any definite result, and in fact,
the president OF one Of the national or
ganizations said tonight that the failure
of the conference was a foregone con-
clusion. II should feel very much cha
grined," said this gentleman, "if 1 had
had any part in calling the conference"
The Committee On Resolutions and Plan
of Action was at work all afternoon and
evening. and tonight Mr.. Sovereign an
rounced that they had formulated
plan. but he declined to give any details.
The platform, it is expected, will be sub
mitted TO the conference Tomorrow The
number of different organizations repre-
sented in the conference makes on un-
w!oIdy body, and it is evident that the
convention will have TO fix upon plat
form formulated by five men, represent
ing as many branches of organized labor
Mr.. Ratchford's plan 10 ask Mr.. Nc
Kinley to convene Congress in extra ses-
sion TO enact q measure to provide for
the settlement of the present labor difii-
culties, or, as he put it, Ito define the
rights Of citizens, if any" did not meet
with the approval he had hoped for. and
it is not believed the idea will be moor
porated in the platform.
Although present in the conference all
day, Mr.. Debs did not speak, nor dld ne
put in an appearance at this afternoon
mass-Ineeting. where he was widely dd-
yertisel TO make an address. He Is
represented on the Resolutions Commit
tee by Mr.. Berger, and as he mas re-
mained pretty close TO the gentlemen
composing that committee, II Is safe to
predict mat his Social Democracy idea
will be reported.
1t Is thought adjournment will be reach-
ed some time tomorrow.
The report on credentials, after some
discussion, was adopted. 1t was decided,
however that delegates be recognized as
coming from the particular organization
they represent instead of the general
body.
ONE WOMAN DELEGATE.
The report showed also the presence
Of one woman delegate-Mfs. Mary
Jones. Of Chicago-who represents the
Social Democracy.
After considerable discussion the Com
was named, as follows: w. G. Pearce,
Of the miners; w. ID. Mahon, OF the
street-railway men; Victor Berger, OF
Milwaukee, who represents the Social
Democracy, and in whose favor Mt.
Debs declined; G. G. Clemens, of Topeka,
representing the Populists. and James X.
Sovereign.
Mr.. Ratchford then took the floor. He
went over the miners strike from It's
Inception TO the present day, and dwelt
particularly upon government by IN
junction"
He pleaded for prompt action, and.
coming to the point OF his argument, ad-
yocated a special session of Congress as
the best and, i'm fact, the only relief. Il
believe" said Mr.. Ratchford, "a special
session of Congress Is necessary, 10 de-
fine the relations of the people of the
country to-day. The President Of the
United States should call such n session
of Congress to act on the matter Of In
functions, and find means Of relief from
the existing troubles in the labor world"
I'm case of refusal" said Mr.. Ratch-
ford, impressively. after an outburst OF
cheering had subsidized "it Will then De
time TO consider more extreme measures.
/ am in favor, If the President refuses
to call Congress together, of complete
paralysis of business. i believe then, in
a sympathetic strike"
Mr.. Pat O'Neil. of Rich Hill, Mo-, who
said he represented 1900 unorganized
picks. favored a labor revolution He was
a Socialist. he said. and believed in the
miners taking things in their own hands.
if necessary. His fiery harangue pleased
the audience greatly.
THIS THE CRUCIAL TEST.
Mr. Sovereign put himself on record
L 10.
believed this would be the last conven-
ton 10 be held under present conditions,
and that the crucial test now confront
ed organized labor.
Mr. Mahon, of Detroit. said resolu-
tions committee was useless. The con-
vention should vote on Ratchfords pro-
position, and then so home. The power
of the nation, he said, was In the
courts and If anybody was TO be con-
vened let it be the courts. He was op-
posed to Mr.. Ratchford's proposition.
Mr. Mahon, as did his predecessor,
took q fling at Senator Hanna, saying the
President would have TO get Hanna's
consent TO the convening Of Congress.
James NJ. Carson, president OF the H.
linois miners, recited at great length the
condition of the miners OF the State.
and said he believed his men would be
beaten in two weeks.
Telegrams of greeting and protests
against government by injunction"
were received from the Popuist Execu-
tive Committee of the Sixteenth Congress
sional District of Ohio, the German
Trades Assembly of Philadelphia, and
the Atlanta Federation of Trades.
polite reply ito quit monkeying," and
strike for "the single tax on land
values" was then read from the Youngs-
town (O) Single-taxers, and the talk
went on.
RATCHFORD IN REJOfNDER.
Mr. Ratchford took exception to Mr..
carson's statement that the Illinois
miners had lost the strike. He said the
miners were winning the strike. and far
thermore. his men were net asking this
convention for aid TheA WANTED this
gathering to eradicate if~possible. the
power of injunction. Taking a hing al
Miner Pat. Reilly, he said man who
advocated the use OF Winchesters mad
no place in the convention.
"Down our way" said Mr.. Ratchford,
miners don't know how to handle guns"
lanes Hogan, formerly Of the Ameri-
can Railway Union. and now represent
ING the Social Democracy of Chicago;
General Bradley, of Commonwel fame.
aud General Heineman, Texas
Populist, kept up the fow of words un-
til s o'clock, when the convention ad-
iourned until tomorrow morning at
o'clock at which time the Resolutions
Committee is expected to report.
THE MASS MEETING.
ST. LOUIS, August So.-Less than one
thousand people, among whom were
large number of ladies, assembled In
Nassie Hall TO listen TO addresses by
hr0IRlI The