The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-15
TOPICS OF THE SONS OF TOLL.
FEDERATION OF LABOR DoEsN'T
WANT HAWAII ANNEXED.

Resolutions Relative to an S-Hour
Day Movement Referred TO "a Spec-
iHI COmmittee-SimiIar Action
Taken on the Convict Labor Ques-
tiOn-Rights of Citizens in the Dis
trict of Columbia To BE Investiga-
ted-An Old Fashioned Barbecue
nt Night.
Nashville, Tenn, Dec. H.-At the opens
ing os to-days session of the American
Federation of Labor a letter was read
from the Womans National Christian
Temperance Union expressing sympathy
with the labor movements and urging thaa
a stand be taken by the convention against
saloons.
Isaac Cowan of Canada was invited to-
address the convention in regard to tho
strike of the engineers of Great Britains
and responded. He explained the situa-
tion and said 1t grew out of an attemps
to establish the eight-hour day.
The committee on resolutions offered a
resolution lndorsing the establishment of
postal savings banks by congress, and
advising the secretary to issue a circular
urging immediate action in the matter.
The federation met at O'Clock and re-
SuIltu tue GOll5tiStdNlOi VI tilS ANpOAeS IN
the committees. The Hawaiian annexa-
ton question came up on a report from the
committee on resolutions and produced
some discussion and the committee report
ed on a resolution opposing the annexation
Of Hawaii offered by T. j. Elderkin and
presented the following substitute:
"Whereas, there Is at present pending in
the United States Senate a treaty provid-
ing for the annexation Of the Hawaiian is-
lands; and,
Whereas That annexation would ba
tahtamount to the admission of a slave
state, the representatives. of which would
necessarily work and vote for the enslaye-
ment of labor in general, therefore be 1t
Resolved by the American Federation
OF Labor, That we disapproye' of annexa-
tion. and
Resolved, That we urge the United
States Senate TO reject the treaty of an
neXation and to take such other steps as
may be necessary TO maintain amicabla
relations with Hawaii"
Andrew Furuseth made a warm speech
opposing annexation, and George e. Nc
Neill suggested that the substitute be-
amended so as TO provide for the incoming
executive council laying the matter be-
fore congress- and, il necessary, before
the President, showing the opposition OF
the federation to annexation. The substi-
tute, as amended was adopted
The resolution relative to an eight-hour'
day movements were referred to a special
committee.
The convict labor question was also re-
ferred to a special committee
It was determined to assist in the organ
lzation Of the tile-layers as recommended
by President Gompers, and "a committee
Is to be appointed for this purpose,
The report of the committee upon the
resolution presented by the Central Labor
Union of Washington city. relative to the
rights of citizenship in the District of Co
lumbia, was taken up and the COMMITTEES
recommended that the executive council
investigate the conditions and report az
the next convention
President Gompers desired to know ie
this was necessary. and upon the reasons
for such action being given, the report
was adopted.
A resolution was adopted providing for
the organization of all stationary engi-
neers preparatory for making the fight for
an eigtft-hour day on May /, 1898.
Tonight an old-fashioned barbecue was
given the delegates at the Tulane.
Speeches were made by many delegates,
and Gov. II. t. Taylor also made brief
address.
Tomorrow night public reception viii
be given by the federation and speeches
will be made by President Samuel Com
pers, ?. ]. Mcclure, first vice presidents
James O'Connell, third vice president; W.
=. Prescott president International Typo
graphical Union; George E. Mcneil OF
Boston, Andrew Furuseth of San Francis
co. Harry Lloyd, president of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joinerss
NJ. d. Ratchford. president of the coaf
miners; Robert Askew of the Northern
Mineral Workers; Thomas I. Kidd of tho
Amalagamated Machine Woodworkers.
The indications are that the federation
will be in session about ten days, though
business Is being pushed.