The San Francisco call., 1897-12-14

shall SO great wrong be inflicted upon any OF
our people.
ne steps that have been taken toward
securing an eight-hour workday are re-
viewed and the address continues:
Nothlng remaius now but for the final de-
cIslon @ ol thls convention as 10 the ways and
meal means oy which the project shall be carried
Iuto eHecl, or Whelher the judgment of the
convention is that the time stated is in view
OF lhuustIlal conditions, practical one or
1hetner II would be advisable TO await the iull
nOoui ilue ol an Industrial revival for its gem
cral ana simultaneous enforcement This
ful consideration.
Nothing, perhaps wouId ho mora burtful
ttt Inn an unWlse decision. OF course we do not
anticipate that Al one given moment the gem
@ elhl elght- hour dav will be achieved, but there
can De no doubt but what q concentration of
thought and effort TO attain this and the des-
iBAdtloh ot particular day TO endeavor TO Sc
- - VIII 'argely attract the ate tion OF all
auH @ succeed IN accomplishing much. If the
IooS ncht o1 thlS convention is that May l,
IaI' - tHe one upon which the bugle call for
tooor snail be sounded none will enter it
win greater en- huSiaSm and uudaunted spiril
man We Yet IL the deliberate conclusion OF
tuls nVention is that the simultaneous effort
euouId De deferred unul a more opportune
tlme, say The postpOnement of II for ono year
nat should prevail
me legislative comm ittae ected by the
- C'Hetn nhhu convention p oc eded to the CAPT
"a TaI d iu mn ilate V pr ell Tor he p sage OF
-
81 81 success however, mas cen iargely mega
Nv. 81 ce niue Legislation vicious and mimi
feated. - 90
Dunng the early part of the year the Su-
Pdeme Court OF the United It ties rendered &
ueclsion IN case involving the right of sea-
men 10 quit their employme Mt ey"n v hen the
vessel was in sale hs rbor. The decision was
aIVerse to the rights OF the amen. In the
"Plhloh accompanying the decis on the court
gave expression and laid down doctrines en-
in fnr 0f ft,ar no n a
anu IN so many words inYalida ed the thIr-
tScn!h amendment to the constitution OF the
onited states prohibiting involun ary seryi-
t"ue- 1our at ept' on Is called 10 the dissent
lhg opinion OF the court, order tnat The fu
measure OF the wrong may he apprecls ted.
Inc decision i the most iar-reachlng which
me supreme Court has issued since Is famous
Drtd Scott decision, enforcing return of q
fugitive slave who escaped 10 another State.
IN view OF legislation which some seek,
plAclhg greater powers in the hands of tho
Government, it is submitted that greater eau
,lon should be exercised IN the future Than
mas been IN the past, IN order that some OF the
r:ghts which the people possess, or believe
tneY possess, may not be taken from them
through cour,-m6de law. A rehearing OF the
case has been applied for, but lhus far has not
been granted.
President Gompers recommends that
officers OF the federation bs chosen by
referenuum, and in conclusion says:
While con SC Gus OF my shortcomings can
say that no act of mine h as been done,
no effort left untried which promised 10
bring about more thorough organization and
sfhllatlon among our workers, a true apprecia-
Non OF the wrongs from Whicn al suffer, the
rights which are denied. the goal of our am bi-
uon aud the means by wh!cl they can be al
Ia lned.
Vic. President McGuire presided at the
afternoon session. which was well at
tended. Secretary Morrison reported that
81 $50 new members had been enrolled
during the year. The greatest item OF ex-
pense was 1886 for organization, and OF
this $1,000 had Deen used in ending organ
izers among the miners during the great
strike.
Expenses for the year were SIS, 1I3 The
report stated that the receipts from the
Feder9tionIst, the organ of the federation
had exceeded its expenditures. During
the year, the report states, 276 strikes had
been officially noticed. involving 165 407
worker. OF these 189 we're won; 81 were
com promised, and 80 lost.
The Secretary recommended that the
per capita laX for local and federal labor
Unions 10 the Federation be increased
from l to cents per member.
All resolutions offered under the pro-
gramme were referred 10 committees
The credentials committee made an addi-
uonaI repOr, showing that ninety dele
gates had reported. The convention ad-
Journed until o clock to- O-morroW.