Evening star., 1898-01-04
Old Methods Changed.

1t is sufficient to say that this body mas
changed the old methods which in many
instances discredited the character of or.
ganized labor, and We have, to a large ex-
tent. secured the respect of the business
community by pursuing honest, undS-
gusei course of action, demanding only
that which was just for labor and doing
that which is just in return. 1t has thus
been possible to secure and maintain con-
tract relations with individuals and firms
who, under the old regime. were harasscd
and insulted by committees, and boycotted
to crafty personal spleen or for selfish and
sinister purposes.
''In several instances this body has been
a prominent and effective factor in defeat
ing the purpose of local monopolies which.
if consummated. would have resulted in
loss and injury to many of our allied men,
bership. Through the cooperative efforts
of our fellow workers in the states we
have succeeded in minimizing work which
would have been impossible had We relied
on local effort alone. We have also sue
ceeded in introducing the labor of the Dis
trict to our fellow workers elsewhere, have
broken down the selfish barrier which for
years effectually divided us from the great
commonwealth of labor. and closed US in
from the sympathy and help of those be-
yond our borders; in short, for the first
time in the history Of this District the hand
of loyal labor has been extended in frater-
nal greeting to every son of toll who is
aligned under the banner of trades union
ism.
Had We done nothing more than this We
would deserve the respect and encourage
ment of every trade unionist who. loyal to
the common cause of labor, desires the
speedy coming of the day when factional
lines will be obliterated; when craft clan
ishness will be eliminated: when the toiling
men and women of the country. fully Or
ganized, will unite in one grand. harmoni
Gus whole and by the force of this unifica-
q complpt2 pmanciDa tiOn of
the sons and daughters of toll.
District Suffrage.
Mr.. Spohn then referred to the legisla-
ton advocated by the Central Labor Union,
among other things saying:
Believing that the citizen cannot enjoy
a full measure of Industrial liberty under
conditions of political slavery, and that if
the people of this District were fully en-
franchised local labor would be in con-
dition to secure reasonable and just de-
mands, which under present local political
conditions cannot be done, We have formal
ly declared for the right of suffrage. 1t is
to be regretted that our request that the
recent convention of the American Fedora
tion of Labor indorse our demand and in
the name Of the 1.OO0.O00 allied wage
workers petition Congress i'm our behalf
virtually ignored.
I'VE should therefore redouble our ef-
forts in this important matter, and through
in the United States to memorialize their
respective representatives in Congress to
support a measure which will secure to
the residents of this District the rights of
American citizenship.
Il have no doubt" he said, In conclu-
sion, that my successor will zealously
guard the interests of this body and will
at all times be Sustained and encouraged
by the affiliated organizations. As one in
the ranks l shall earnestly endeavor to ad-
vance the cause of labor in this District
until every wage-earner who desires the
benefit of organization becomes a unit of
that grand aggregate which shall compose
one representative central body
President Sprague's Remarks.
After Mr.. Sprague was presented by MIR.
Spohn with the gavel the new president
made few remarks. in which he thanked
the body for the honor conferred upon
him. and pledged himself to do all In his
power to aid the Central Labor Union
in extending its usefulness. communi.
cation was read from e. Lewis Evans
secretary of the National Tobacco Work
ers' Union. calling attention to the trade
mark OF that organization, and requesting
that organized labor purchase union-label-
ed tobacco. Mr.. Evans also inclosed list
of brands of tobacco being sold which have
been declared unfair by the national or
gaaization. The matter was referred to
the various unions, with the request that
the members refuse to have anything to
do with the unfair products above men,
toned.
gamated carpenters, engineers and elect.i-
cal workers were obligated.
Delegate Silver concluded his report as
delegate to the recent annual convention
of the American Federation of Labor at
Nashville. which was received, and a vote