Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-07-28
TIE FIRST SESSION
Held at Noon in Assembly HaIl-The
Proceedings.

Held at Noon in Assembly HaI-The
Proceedings.
During the morning the representa-
tives of the various national bodies dis
cussed quietly among themselves the
question of the ACCESSIBILITY of admit
ting representatives of the press to the
meeting, and there was preponder-
ance of sentiment favorable to meeting
in secrecy, especially as all appeared
TO be at sea regarding the probable
course which would be pursued, and as
there was a wide variance OF opinion
on this subject.
There was a large crowd of leaders
about the Assembly hall during the
morning. and it was shortly after noon
when the doors were closed. 1t was
a representative body of men who faced
President Gompers when he raped
for order. Nearly every trade employ
ing large numbers of men was repre-
scented through one or more of its ma
tional officers. Ii was a we'll dressed,
intelligent looking body of men, and a
casual visitor would never suspect that
it was an assemblage of leaders of or
ganized workingmen. Conspicuous
figures in the body were those of Eu-
gene V. Debs. tall and intellectual
looking; NJ. NJ Garland. who appeared
to embody in his stalwart frame all the
qualities of leadership; Grand Master
Workman Sovereign, and Secretary
Frank Morrison, who bears a striking
resemblance to w. j. Bryan in fea-
lures. and looks even more like the
great Democratic leader when on the
street.
Mr.. Gompers called the meeting to
order, and on motion Of Mr.. Sovereign,
he was made permanent chairman.
Jesse Johnson, of Nashville, president
Of the International Printing Press
mems Union, placed Frank Morrison
in nomination for secretary. He was
chosen without opposition. Mr.. Nor
rison is secretary of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor Mr.. NJ. F. Tighe.
ex-president OF the Ohio Valley Trades
and Labor Assembly, was made SER
geant-at-arms. The following named
representatives Of national labor bodies
were present:
THE LABOR LEADERS.
Samuel Gompers. Of Washington. D.
c., president Of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor
Frank Morrison, of Washington, D.
C. secretary Of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor.
P. H. Morrissey. Of Peoria. Ills.
grand master of the Brotherhood Of
Railway Trainmen.
". d. Mahon. of Detroit, president Of
the street railway organization.
James R Sovereign. OF Sulphur
Springs. Ark, grand master workman
OF the Knights OF Labor.
James II. Sullivan, OF Baltimore.
president of the International Asso-
citation Of Painters and Decorators.
J. B. Lennon. OF Bloomington, Ills,
president of the Custom Tailors.
J. F. Mulholland, of Toledo. o..
president Of the International Union
OF Bicycle Workers.
Jesse Johnson, Of Nashville, Tenn,
president OF the international Printing
Freshmen 5 union Of North America.
TheodOrg Perry. OF Nashville, Tenn,
vice president Of the International
Typographical Union.
r. AgkeW. Of Detroit. president OF
the Northern Mineral Mine Workers
Progressive Union
JfW. Mckinney. OF Lafayette, Ind.
president OF the Brotherhood Of Paint
ers
: ". Rae. OF Chicago. second vice
PRESIDENT Of the Brotherhood Of Paint
D.. ". Perkins. Of Chicago president
the CigzrmakeEs Ri erna tional