The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-28
THE LABOR CONVENTION
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL SESSION OF
THE STATE FEDERATION.
President Perkins Makes His Report
and Recommends Certain
Legisla ton.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE. Ind. Sept. 27.-The
fourteenth annual convention of the State
Federation of Labor met this morning,
with larger attendance of delegates than
lad been expected. Councilman Reinbold.
representing the Central Labor Union, called
the convention to order. and Mayor Steeg
welcomed the convention to the city. NJ.
Reinbold introduced w. d. Van Horn, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers, who well
coined the delegates. MIR. Reinbold then
presented to Mr.. Perkins. president of the
State Federation, gavel. which the latter
accepted in few well-chosen remarks. Mr..
Perkins then assumed the chair and called
the convention to order. and appointed the
following committees:
Roscoe Barnett, Indianapolis: Robert Codd.
South Bend; George Kicks Gas City; j. w.
Comstock. ElwOod
Rules-E. P. Berry. Indianapolis; j. w.
Peters. South Bend: S. G. Throckmorton,
Fort WAYNE; A F.. Burnett. Ewood;
- Hayworth. Muncie.
The following resolution was presented by
Mr.. r. P: Barry. of indianapolis Typo
graphical Union, No. l. and unanimously
Moved. that in view of the long and we'll
known antagonism of the Terre Haute
OF this city, that its representatives be de-
MED the courtesy of the convention until
sncn tlme as IL snail recognize ana employ
members OF Typographical Union, No. 76.
At IL o'clock the convention adjourned un-
til / 80 to visit the new Central Labor Union
In his annual address Mr.. Perkins said
that the chief duty of organized labor lay
In the direction of state legislation. and
particularly in retaining the advantages
gained by the passage CT the anti-convict
labor measure two years ago. He thinks
there is probability that men interested
in the employment of convict labor will en-
deavor to have the law repealed or amend
cd. 1t is charged that it has not been in
the hands of its friends. He believes that
the law may be made entirely satisfactory
If it's enforcement were sincerely desired by
those who have it In charge.
Mr.. Perkins is opposed to the law which
prevents the name of a candidate for office
appearing in more than one place on a bal
lot. He is opposed to the law on the ground
that it was passed not for the benefit of the
citizens. but for the purpose to give power
to political parties He 3 IN favor of wage
earners acting Independently in politics. aid
points to the fact that political managers
are making great efforts to get the labor
vote as an indication that the growing habit
of workingmen to act independently is hav-
ing its effect
Mr.. Perkins said there is marked i'm
provement in labor organization in the
State: He thinks the further organization
of labor will bring about better enforce
ment of labor laws. The president referred
to the controversy with the State Board Of
Agriculture over the employment of nom
union men at the fair grounds at Indian
apolis on Labor day. for which day the
grounds 1t is held that the state board is
a semi-state institution, and has no right
TO discriminate against union labor. as its
record shows 1t seems to be determined to
do. Mr.. Perkins has mild faith in the eff
cacy Of the arbitration law. although it has
not received the unqualified Endorsement of
labor
AT the afternoon session resolutions were
introduced and referred to the committee on
resolutions by Heuch,. Of Fort Wayne.
against the Conkey Printing Company of
Hammond; by Blackburn against the Kin
gan Company; by Merz of Logansport
against the American Tobacco Company:
by brewery delegate and also one from
the glass workers against the traffic in sec
one-hand bottles; at the request of the
State Board of Health against the second
hand use of bottles by druggists; by dele
gate again st the accession of the Philip
pine Islands and the building up of a large
standing army: by a printer delegate from
Fort Wayne in favor of the accession of the
Philippines: by a delegate deuouncing the
cid political parties for lack of interest in
the woriSingman by a delegate for an
amendment of the law fixing the rate of
interest at per cent: by delegate that
all convict-made goods sold i'm the State be
branded: by a Terre Haute delegate, that
las legal advertising be printed in nom
union newspaper.