The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-17

Kansas City, Dec. 16.-Socialism was
the absorbing topic today before the
convention of the American Federation
OF Labor. The socialist delegates made
q determined effort to infuse socialistic
doctrine into the law Of the federation.
Probably they viii not succeed, for
there is q majority against them: but
the socialist orators held the floor
nearly all the afternoon, and they will
continue their argument tomorrow, for
the issue had not been decided when
the session adjourned this evening. The
socialists claim to be pleased with the
developments Of the day, and, they say,
for the first time in the history Of the
federation, the question was discussed
with dignity and liberation on both
sides, and with apparent understanding
Of the issue; and this, they say, marks
an epoch Of advancement of socialism
among the trades unionists. SO great
was the interest IN the discussion, and
so general the liberation, that the FIVE
minute rule OF the convention was not
enforced against several Of The more
eloquent socialist orators.
Delegate john = Tobia Of Boston
created something Of a sensation when,
in the course OF an l.lpasslOnSd speech,
he declared that he had been given 10
understand that President Gompers in
tended to vote with the Social Demo-
cratic party and TO recommend all
whom he had come in contact with 20
DO likewise. Mr. Tobin urged that
what the president of the federation
thought good enough to adopt, the fed
GRAFTON need not fear.
President Gompers did not deny the
assertion of Mr.. Tobin.
RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED.
Immediately upon the opening of the
convention after noon, the socialist
question came up.
The hcSt and most important social
list resolution was that offered by the
Cleveland Central Labor union, OF
which Max Hayes, the socialist, is tie
representative. The gist of this resO-
luton was to the effect that the con-
stitUtion of the federation be changed
so as to admit OF the endorsement of
no political party, except that bearing
on Ire propaganda for abolition CT the
wage system
This is socialism, pure and simple.
The committee on laws did not concur
in this resolution, or IN a second reso-
luton, endorsing the Social Democracy.
It commended the widest scope of
discussion OF ali economic questions
bearing upon the system Of trades
unions. but called attention TO the fact
that the federation had always refused
10 endorse any kind Of politics, and rec
commended that the rule be closely ad-
nered TO.
When it was seen that the socialist
resolutions We're to be defeated, Max
Corey IF Chicago asked TO be allowed
70 o1er a substitute resolution, carry
ing with it the essential points of So
cialism contained in the other resolu-
lions.
President Gompers at once ruled that
the substitute would not be in order
until the original resolutions had been
IL -.
5. y. DODnelly Of New York supported
the committees report. declaring that
politics and socialism should have no
- place in the deliberations OF the fed
grafton Isaac MacCoWan of Cleve-
land defended socialism vehemently,
arraiguing the systems OF politics and
society.
= BOSTON RESOLUTION.
John It. Tobin of Boston introduced
this resolution as an amendment to
the report:
Resolved. that this convention. be-
lieViug that the labor problem viii be
solved only when the lands and means
of production and distribution and eX-
change are held as common property,
and tEat the trades union movement,
together with political action on class
lines. are the best methods to reach
this END, We therefore commend trade
uniOlists 10 vote only Tor such Soliu-
cal parties as stand for the PRINCIPLES
enunciateC Eerein-
The reading was greeted with an
outburst Of applause. There was eX-
element ia the galleries. Mr.. Gompers
stood up rCd-faced, through cloud of
smoke. and snOte the table violently
with his gavei De said that the
visitors must not applaud or they
would be asked to leave.
Eugene 0'Rourze of New York de-
In a6r p
power or tae ballot and pleaded with
his fellow unionists TO break away
from the old parties and support only
those principles which stand for the
betterment g the laboring masses lie
was applaUded at every enunciation.
The debate over the socialist resolu-
tons continued almost 10 The close OF
Cne days proceedings, and VIII be
resumed tomorrow morning.
The trouble among ire PAINTERS was
disposed of before adjournment, the
followers CT Barrett being declared Sc
<rceders and an orEaC:za-ions affiliated
y with the federatill were notified to
treat them Is such. -uEtl they consent
TO afnaIgsmation with the Baltimore
branch.
TOBACCO TRUST DENOUNCED.
The convention adopted resolutions
again condemning the Tobacco Trust.
The resolutions, which were passed
GLieE q S-lilaAtu QeEstt. III WHICH tie
delegates set forth the alleged WronEs
against organized labor practced by
the trusts. are as follows:
recognizing the fact that the
paralyZing hand Of the trust in making
inroads upon the rights and privileges
O. labor and humanity, and most
serious menace 10 industrial well be-
ing, public tranquility and the per-
peuity OF our republic, we hereby
pledge our moral and material support
TO all other independent manufacturers
to help them in their fight and the
fight Of humanity against the blight
ing curse Of trust ACKNOWLEDGMENT
TO give practical effect TO these
sentiments. we hereby request ard
urge uDon all members % The Fe1era-
ton Of Labor and all patriotic citizens
who are consumers OF tobacco to Dur-
chase and use only the chewing and
smoking tobaccos and cigarettes Of in
dependent factories who use The label
of the Tobacco Workers union. BE it
further
Resolved. that the secretary Of The
American Federation of Labor be and
hereby Is instructed to have forwarded
copy Of these resolutions to every
union affiliated with the American
Federation Oc Labor"
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