The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-09-10
LABOR CONVENTION.
Results OF the Gathering OF Labor
Leaders at st. Louis.
The Platform setting Forth the Ideas Of
the Delegates Lsborers Asked -
Contribute the Earnings of
Friday. September q.

Friday. september 3.
ST.. LOUIS. Sept THE labor con-
vention at Masonic hall debated at
length a report from the committee on
resolutions and plans Of action con
corning the future course of the miners
strike.
The report set apart Friday. Septem-
Der 3, a day on which all labor organ
izations aud their friends shall con-
tribute TO the relief of the miners. 1t
further declared that IL the strike be
not ended by >eptemb Der 20 a mass con
vention be held at Chicago. Septembe Der
81, To consider the course then to be
pursued.
1t inveighed at length against gov
eminent by federal injunction" and
called attention in a threatening man
ner To that provision Of the federal
constitution. providing that citizens
have the right TO bear arms.
During the prolonged discussion. in
which Eugene v. Debs and ]. X. Sow
ereign took part, there weree evidences
of extreme dissatisfaction with the
committed report, most OF the speak
ers arguing that it was ALI sound and
fury. signifying nothing"
A number of the orators talked calm
ly of shot-guns and violence. but these
were not very enthusiastically received,
since they failed to make it clear who
and what were to be aimed at.
The section of the report providing
for a collection To support the miners
was adopted. Its scope al only be
realized when the figures are consid-
cred.
M. ID. Ratchford, president Of the
United Mine Workers union, says
there are 1900, 900 union laborers in
the country. One days pay for these
laborers will amount to IS. 600, 900, Mr..
Ratchford thinks, but he says the num-
Der of laborers may be 2. 600, 900. and
that will increase the amount To over
S. 900. 900.
The Platform.
The fears Of the more watchfuI fathers OF the
republic have been justified The judiciary has
become supreme. We witness n political phe-
nomenon absolutely new in the history OF the
world; a republic PROSTATE at the feet OF the
judges appointed TO administer the laws. They
acknowledge no superior.
Under the cunning form Of iniunctions courts
have assumed to enact criminal laws and. after
thus drawing to themselves the power OF legis-
lation. have repealed the bill OF rights and for
violations Of these court made la WIS have denied
the accused the right of trialb jury. The exer-
else OF the commonest rights OF freemen the
right OF assembly, the right Of free speech. the
right of travelling the public highways-haye
- legislation, under inJunctions. been maze a
crime, and armed forces disperse as mobs peo-
pie daring in company to exercise these rights
AT It's last term the supreme court OF the United
States decided that the thirteenth amendment,
forbidding involuntary seryitude. Is not yio-
lated by a~rresting a seaman, imprisoned him
till his vessel Is ready to leave port. and then
foreibly putting him on board to serve out the
term OF his contract: a decision under which
the old fugitive slave laws may yet be revived,
and striking laDorers besleged and returned 10
the service Of their masters.
Having drawn to themselves all the powers
OF the federal government until co ngresses and
presidents may act only by judicial pcrmis-
sion. the federal Judges have begun the
sublugation OF sovereign states, 50 that
unless . check is soon put upon the
progress Of usurpation. in a short time no
government, but the absolute dispotism OF fed
cral judges will exist anywhere over any por-
tion OF American soil The pending strike Of
coal miners. starved 10 feebleness By their
scant wages for arduous and dangerous toll;
the pending strike for the right to be fool
enough TO make labor possible. has been pro-
lific Of judicial uSurpation. showing the will
ingusss Of Judi lal despots to resort TO the most
shameless defiance OF decency a. well as Of Law
and humanity In order TO enable heartless
avarice TO drive its hungry scrfs back TO the
mines 20 faint and die at their drudgery: and
there remains to-day not one guaranteed right
OF American citizens the exercise OF which an
dnlun tlon has nCt somewhere made a crime.
Startled by these subversions OF constitu-
tional liberty. we have met as American citi-
zens 10 counsel toge her. and have come to the
following conclusions, that:
WHEREAS. The present strike OF the coal
miners has again demonstrated the fact that
our so-called liberty Il not freedom but l. a
stupendous sham, under which millions are de-
generating. while hundreds Of thOusands-men |
women aud children are starving an novels and
on the public highways.
WHEREAS. This condition has become per-
manent for "A large ami ever-increasing number
OF our population. as long as we permit a com
paratiyely small class OF legallzcd exploitcrs to
monopolize the means OF production and dis
tribution for their private benefit "a fact again
obvious In the case OF the miners
WHEREAS. Appcalst TO congress and tho courts
for relief are ~frultless, since the legislative as
well as the executive and judicial powers arc
under the control OF the capitalist class. so that
IL has come TO pass in this free country that
while cattle and swine have a right to the pub
lc highway Americans. so-cslled free men,
have not:
WHEREAS. Our CAPITALIST ella IS. as is again
shown in the pre- ent strike. Il armed. and has
not only policemen, marshals. sherifs and dep
uties. but also a regular army and militia at IL
command. In order To enforce government BY
injunction, ~uppre sstng lawful assemblage. free
speech and the rights TO the public highway
Will on the other hand the ~laboring men OF the
country are unarmed and defenseless. contrary
20 the words and the spirit OF the constitution
OF the United States. therefore be II
Resolved. That We hereby set apart Friday,
September 3. 1890, Is Good Friday" for tue
cause Of suffering labor In America, aud con-
erioute the earni ,gs OF that day to the support
of our struggling brothers, the miners. aud APP
peal to every friend OF labor throughout the
country to do likewise.
Resolrsd. That IL the str Ike Of the miners Il
not settled by Septem 'er 20, 1897. AM annou nee
meut made To that effect by the president o. tue
United Mine Workers. n general convention at
Chicago on Monday. September -, 1895, be aeld
by the repre- .entatives OF all unions, sections.
branches, lodges and kindred organizations OF
laboring men and friends OF their cause, for the
purpose OF considering further measures In the