The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1898-06-18

DULUTH AND SUPE1
to..recompile the same, so that when the
next proceedings are--published the con-
stitution will appear as corrected by the
amendments.
AS a measure Of economy, and also
with the belief that larger number OF
the labor unions of the state would be
represented at the conventions, and with
the further object of giving more time
to the consideration of measures which
come before the Federation, would
recommend the holding of annual con-
ventions only, to consist of sessions OF
two days each.
I also recommend that the directory OF
the Federation be published as soon
after the holding Of each convention as
possible, for the reason that if it is pub
lished four or five months afterward, it
will not have the effect it would have if
issued earlier.
- Your attention has frequently been
directed to the question of convict labor
and the competition of it's product with
that of free labor in various lines of in
dustry. In the past the effort organ
lied labor has made to remedy the evil
in this state at least, has not been united
nor has it been comprehensive, for the
reason that the trade directly injured by
this competition alone took an active
interest in the work, in consequences
whereof the attempted reform has been
directed against some special grievance
in a particular industry or institution.
The evil of convict labor will continue
until we as organized workmen show in
fact as we'll as in theory our solidarity
and our self-consciousness as to our
power and needs and are prepared to 60
before the intelligent portion Of the pub
lie with d definite plan Of action, q plan
in the interest Of the whole community.
I believe that this question is one to
n
which the Federation can we'll devote
some Of its best thought and that the
present is the time in which to do it, in
order that our influence and the indu-
ence Of the workingmen and their friends
throughout the state, regardless Of form
or party predictions, may be felt in the
political campaign of this fall and in the
halls Of the state legislature this winter.
That occupation for tho inmates Of
penal institutions is necessary, admit.
but this necessity does not excuse the
spirit of commercialism which has fou nd
place in the minds of managing boards
and euperint endente, whose chief ftobject
appears to be the showing Of 2 large bal.
ance Of receipts over expenditures re-i
gardless of its effect upon prisoner and
public. Their labors should be confined
to supplying the institutions Of the state
with products needed by them instead
Of putting them on the market in com
petition with those who are compelled
to. earn livelihood and at the same
time pay taxes for the maintenance Of
the institutions which are doing every
thing possible to destroy their business
and impoverish themselves and families.
I believe this convention should take
radical measures to eradicate the evil
which is confronting the working classes
in Minnesota through the competition Of
workhouse and prison labor. I would
therefore suggest that the incoming:
Federation Council be given authority to
or have formulated a bill do
ing away with the competition of penal
institutions with free labor, that the
same be submitted to all labor organiza-
tions for their approval before the next
election, and that nominees for the leg.
islature be requested to pledge them.
selves in favor of the bill. Those who
refuse to do so should be antagonized
with candidates from our own ranks and
every effort put forth to defeat them.
I recommend that stringent resolu-
tions be adopted denouncing the court
and jury who acquitted the murderers
of the. workmen at Hazelton, Pa, and
that copy of the same be forwarded to
President Ratchford of the Mine Work.
ers' Association. +: s
If the labor movement is to go for
ward, If we are to leave competing or
ganizations behind us in the race for su-,
premacy, more attention should be given
to the fraternal features, so that trades
unions may become absolutely indis-
pensable to the moro intelligent among
the workers. Social functions should
also he given more prominence, while
wives, child. an and other relatives
should be given to understand that our
interests are theirs, that what benefits
us will benefit them, and what is our in
jury will necessarily be theirs. If we
had more ample relief benefits, more
social intercourse, more persistent agi-
tation and more consideration and char
ity for the welfare and interests of
T