Evening star., 1898-07-21
ARGUMENTS FOR SUFFRAGE.
District Citizens Express Views Fav-
OIable to Voting Privilege.


A hearing as given last evening at Ty-
biographical Temple by President Gon1pers
of the American Federation of Labor, in
pursuance of instructions from the exccu-
tive council of the A. F. of L., for the pur-
pose of ascertaining as far possible the
political status of the residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia. which will be embodied
in report to be submitted to the next na-
tional convention of the American Federa-
ticn of Labor at it's meeting in Kansas
City in December.
In order to arrive at the facts, those resi-
dents who are opposed to suffrage here
were also invited to attend. but, with the
exception of DIR. Kirby, all those present
latter comprised Messrs. Milford Spohn
and William Silver, representing the Cen
II al Labor Union; John P. Healy. vice
president of the National Building Trades
Council; Andrew Murray of the Local
Building Trades Council, Thomas G. Ecn-
sey, r. j. Bell and DR.. T. f. Lee Of the
Central Citizens Suffrage Association.
President Gompers stated that reSolu-
ton protesting against the prevailing form
of District government and asking the as
sistance of the American Federation of
Labor in the efforts of the residents to Sc
cure suffrage for the people, was submitted
at the last convention of the American
Federation of Labor at Nashville by the
Central Labor Union of this city. He read
the resolutions, which have been already
printed in The Star, and requested the rep
resentatives Of the labor interests to make
aty statements they desired.
Mr.. William Silver, the first to speak
said that the reason why the labor people
of the District demanded suffrage was
that under the present conditions of gov
erEment their interests were not consid-
cred, and he cited several instances to
prove that this was so.
Mr.. Milford Spohn said an overwhelming
W. he
trict are in favor Of suffrage. He said
that aside from the constitutional principle
involved an experience of third of a CEN
tury among the labor people of the District
had convinced him that it was absolutely
necessary for their industrial welfare to
have the right to vote. He cited many
instances in which the authorities in the
employment of labor and the letting of
contracts had antagontZed the interests Of
those who, through organization, are striv-
ing for better conditions. He further
stated that evidence of what he had
asserted under the street contract system
the employees were paid lower wages than
were paid in any other city of the United
States; that through competition of the
District Commissioners in the matter of
SttCet paving an organization Of PAYERS
were forced to labor at a rate Of 30 per
cent below that paid for similar work in
private contracts. Mr.. Spohn claimed
that incidents of the recent discharge of
a member Of the Bricklayers Union, ac-
conpan1ed by peremptory order from
the building inspector that the men should
not be employed on any other District
work was outrage which would not be
attempted in any city in the civilized world
where the people had the right to vote.
Mr.. s. T. Healy said he could corroborate
all that had been said by Messrs. Silver
and Spohn. and that the National Building
Trades Council had heartily indorsed the
resolutions of the Central Labor Union
and would aid to the extent of its power
in attaining the object sought.
Mr.. Thos. G. Hensey's address was devot-
ed to the legal question involved.
Dr. T. E. Lee confined his remarks to
the subject of political patronage, which
was distributed to persons outside of the
District for political services elsewhere
while those residents of the District who
devoted themselves to the best interests
of their respective parties were not regard
ed because they had no vote.
Or. Kirby, who was present in opposition
to the measure, retired before the close of
the meeting and messenger was sent to
his home requesting his return, but he
could not be found.
At the conclusion of the hearing Presi-
dent Gompers announced that he would call
another meeting in the near future and
would specially invite several gentlemen
who have been prominent in opposition to
the suffrage movement to be present.