Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1897-09-04
convention of Labor Leaders
at st. Louis Adjourns to
Reconvene Sept. 27.
Meeting Productive of Many
Resolutions and Some Sem
sational Speeches.
No Decisive Action Taken In
Regard to "Government
by Injunction"

CI. LoUlS, Sept. IL ue conference
OF labor leaders Of the country, which
has been in session here two days, fin.
ished its work during the evening. The
meeting was productive of several SEN
sational speeches and many resolutions,
yet no decisive action was taken in the
principal matter for which the gather
ing was summoned-the abolishment of
government by injunction. The con-
vention, which has been announced as
the last one of its kind to be held, while
adjourning sine die, has merely post.
poned action on the matters before it
for three weeks, as call for similar
conference to be held in Chicago Oh
Monday, Sept. q, was issued. The
convention ordered it's chairman, Mr..
Prescott of the International Typo.
graphical union, to request President
Mckinley, in the name OF the con-
vention, to
Call a Special Session of Congress
for the purpose Of defining the author
ity of judges in the matter of injunc-
tions," but, as the president will hardly
receive the communication in time to
convene congress in three weeks, even
should he consider the matter favor-
ably, the Chicago gathering may take
action which would render this move
void or decide to act in another manner.
Mr.. Debs and Social Democracy DOM
mated the convention and the famous
labor leader carried the gathering off it's
feet in one Of his characteristic
speeches.
A resolution introduced by MIR.
Mahon of Detroit calling upon all min
ers now at work to desert their posts,
terming then enemies of human liberty
SO long as they remained on duty, was
adopted. Mr.. Mahon had another reso-
luton prepared asking the convention
to call for 100 volunteers to 60 into the
town of Pocahontas, Va, on Sept. Is
and there hold a public meeting 'in de-
fiance of the mayor of that city, who
had set himself up in opposition to the
God.given and
Constitutional Right of Free Speech"
but at the last moment concluded not
to present it. The resolution will prob
q bly, come to the front at the Chicago
convention. Mr.. Ratchford, who was
especially pleased with the conventions
instructions rega riding the request for
the convening of congress, hurried
away to Columbus, where he will at
tend conference of mine workers and
operators. Mr.. Debs and, in fact, all
the leaders are gratitied at the result of
the conference.
The speech of Mr.. Debs just previous
to the adjournment of the convention
was enthus astically received, especially
his denunciation of plutocracy. 1.-The
time has not quite come to incite the
populace," said Mr.. Debs, shaking his
fist vehemently. II serve notice on the
plutocratic element of this country that
we are on the eve of another meeting
in Chicago which will be attended by
all branches of labor. That convention
will take up these same questions aud
will institute agitation and keep 1t go
ing until the public conscience and pub
lie heart are aroused. Then will come
such an uprising as the world has never
seen."
The Resolutions Adopted.
The report of the resolutions COM
mittee, as finally adopted by the con.
vention, were quite lengthy and devoted
largely to the denunciation OF govern
ment by injunction" and to statement
regarding the present miners strike.
They conclude as follows:
Resolved, That we consider the use
of the ballot as the best and safest means
for the amelioration of the hardshjps un-
der which the laboring classes suffer
Resolved, That the public ownership
of railroads and telegraphs is one of the
most necessary reforms for our body pol
itic.
Resolved, That we most emphatic
ally protest against government by in
junction, which plays havoc with even
such political liberty as workingmen have
saved from the steady encroachment OF
capitalism, and be it finally
Resolved, That no nation In which
the people are totally disarmed can long
remain free nation, and therefore, we
urge upon all Nberty-loving citizens to
remember and obey article two OF the
Constitution of the United States, which
reads as follows;
1.-THE right Of the people to keep and
hon n N nm, . shall not he infriuQed.h