The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-16
PROTEST FROM TOILERS
FEDERATION OF LABOR DELEGATES
SCORE JUDGE PAXsON,
And Oppose His appointment to the
Chairmanship of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 15.-To-day's
session of the American Federation of La
Dor was marked by many vigorous
speeches. Especially was this the case in re-
gard to the protest offered against the APP
pointment of Z. NJ. Paxson to be interstate
commerce commissioner. After referring a
communication from the New Jersey Fed
Grafton of Trades in reference to a sup
pressed report of a board of arbtrators in
regard to strikes, Edward Hartford, of the
Railway Employees Union, fraternal dele
gate from England, and Hon. ]. H. Wilson,
associate fraternal delegate, followed and
addressed the federation.
M. Henri Cardozo, a representative of the
French government investigating the steel
industries in the United States, was pre-
scented and spoke briefly, explaining the
purposes of his visit President Gompers,
in answer. said the federation invited in
vestigation and referred NJ Cardozo to the
leaders of the organization familiar with
the steel industries.
The report of the committee that bene-
fetal aid be given the textile workers of
Atlanta and that an adviser be sent to
them, after some discussion, was adopted.
The appearance of an advertisement in
the Federationist of Siegel Cooper & Co.
leading in the fight against the carrying
of the advertisement insisting that it was
better to have the paper refused admission
to the mails than to longer insert the ad-
vertisement. Several members opposed the
violation of contract and at last the mat
ter was referred to the executive council.
Then came the stir of the afternoon, when
the following resolution was taken up, pro-
viding for protest on the part of the ex-
ecutive council against the reported pro-
posed appointment of ]. II. Paxson to be
interstate-commerce commissioner:
Whereas, We are informed that E. NJ.
Paxson is to be appointed interstate-com-
merce commissioner; and
whereas, E. NJ. PaxSOn has shown by his
conduct in reSigning the high office of chief
justice of the Supreme Court of the State
Of Pennsylvania by telegraph for the pur-
pose of accepting an appointment a re-
ceiver of the Philadelphia e. Reading Rail-
road, and assisting in wrecking that COM
pany; and
Whereas, E. NJ Paxson has always
shown an intense hatred for organized Ia
Dor. and has on every occasion when an OPP
pOrtunity presented itself used his official
position 10 injure the interest of wage earn
ers, instanced by his action in descend
ing from the Supreme Court bench for the
purpose of acting as a committing magiS-
trate in the case of the Homestead strike,
in order to throw the weight of his judicial
position in the balance against wage earn
ers who are struggling for living wages;
therefore,
Resolved. That the executive council be
instructed to enter protest against his APP
pointment as interstate-commerce commits
sioner."
p. J. MCGUIRE in a caustic speech and
amid much applause, moved that the presi
dent of the federation be instructed to
telegraph the presidents of the organiza-
tions most violent protest against the ru-
mored appointment of Paxson. This mo-
ton was enthusiastically supported by
many speakers and was carried unanimous
ly. The Paxson resolutions will be reported
tomorrow
Detroit and Kansas City during the ses-
sion. put in strong bids for the next meet
ing. A public meeting well attended was
held tonight. at which President Gompers
and many others made addresses.