The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-15
FEDERATION OF LABOR
1T is STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII,
And VIII Urge the Senate to Reject
the Treaty-RepOrts of Committees
-GeneraI Labor News.

NASH WILLIE, Tenn, Dec. l4.-AC the
opening of to-day's session of the American
Federation of Labor protests were made
against the credentials of several delegates,
and after some discussion it was decided
that the delegates should be seated and the
matter referred to the grievance committee.
letter was received from the national
Women's Christian Temperance Union, ex-
pressing sympathy with the labor move
ment and urging that stand be taken by
the convention against saloons.
Isaac Cowan, of Canada, was invited to
address the convention on the strike of the
engineers of Great Britain and responded.
He explained the situation. He said it grew
out of an attempt to establish the eight
hour day. The first lockout occurred in
July last, and about 10000 are without work.
Since the lockout the men have been sup
ported by the federation of Great Britain.
He said the British engineers are in great
need and they ask assistance from the
Americans
The committee on resolutions oHered
resolution indorsing the establishment of
postal savings banks by Congress and adj
vising the secretary to issue a circular urg-
ing immediate action in the matter. A mo-
ton to have bill drafted by the incoming
Establishment of postal savings banks and
secure it's introduction in Congress, was
carried.
The report of the executive council was
read by Vice President MCGUIRE The re-
port gave a full review of the work of the
past year, explaining the methods of the
council and the results Of each movement
which came under their jurisdiction. The
committees efforts at organization were re-
ported, and their settlements of differences
existing between various unions throughout
the country. The report was referred to
the committee on report Of executive coun-
Gil.
The Hawaiian annexation question came
up on report from the committee on reso-
iutons and produced some discussion me
committee reported on the resolution, nppos-
ing the annexation of Hawaii, offered by I.
]. ElderIkin, and presented the following
substitute:
Whereas, There is at present pending in
the United States Senate treaty providing
for the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands;
Whereas, That annexation would be tan
tamount to the admission OF slave state,
the representatives of which would recess
sarily work and vote Tor the enslaVement
of labor in general; therefore, be it
Resolved by the American Federation of
Labor, That we disapprove of annexation,
and
Resolved, That we urge the United States
Senate to reject the treaty OF annexation
necessary to maintain amicable relations
with Hawaii"
Andrew Furuseth made a warm speech,
opposing annexation, and George e. Mcneil
suggested that the substitute be amended
so as to provide for the incoming executive
council laying the matter before Congress
and, if necessary, before the President,
showing the opposition of the federation to
annexation. The substitute. as amended.
was adopted.
The resolutions relative to an eight hours
day movement was referred to the following
special committee: James Brennock, P. E.
Doyle T. L. Lewis, G. E. MCNEIL, w. B.
Prescott, Walter Thompson and ]. u. Sulli-
van. The convict labor question was also
referred to special committee, consisting or
David Black, Henry Lloyd, MIlard Lloyd,
James O'Dea, Charles Hank, Frank Dill
man and Ernst Krepp.
1t was determined to assist in the organl-
cation of the tileayers. as recommended by
President GomperS, and a committee is to be
appointed for this purpose.
The report of the committee on the reso-
lutions presented by the Central Labor
Union of Washington city, relative to the
reports of citizenship in the District or Co
recommended that the executive council IN
vestigate the conditions and report at the
next convention. President Gompers desired
to know if 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 engineers pre-
paratory to making the fight for an eight
hour day on May l, 1898.
Io-nlght All oid-1aShOneQ Darpecue was
given the delegates at the Tulane. Speeches
were made by many delegates and Governor
r. l.. Taylor also made brief address. To-
morrow night pubic reception will be held
by the federation and speeches will be made
by President Samuel Gompers; j. J. Nc
CURE, first vice president; James O'Connel,
third vice president; W. B. Prescott, Iresi,
dent of the International Typographical
Union; George Mcneil, of Boston, Andrew
Furuseth of San Francisco; Harry Lloyd,
president of the United brotherhood of Car
penters and Joiners; NJ d. Ratchford, presi-
dent of the coal miners; Robert Askew, of
the Northern Mineral Mine-workerS; Thorn
as 1. Kidd, of the Amaigamated Machine
WoodWOrkerS.
Indications are that the federation will be
in session about ten days. though business
is being pushed.