The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-12-17
SOCIALISM is DEBATED
DETERMINED EFFORT TO INFUSE
THE DOCTRINE INTO FED
GRAFTON OF LABOR
CROWDS CHEER THE SPEAKER
Galleries Are Rebuked by President
GOnpers - Delegate TOb1n, of
Boston, Said Mr.. Gompers Would
Vote With the SociaI-Democratic
Socialists in the Minority.

KANSAS CITY, Mo, Dec. 16.-Social
ism was the absorbing topic today, be-
fore 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 will
not succeed, for there is a majority
against them, but the socialist orators
held the floor nearly all the afternoon,
and will continue their argument to-
morrow, for the issue has not been de-
cided.
The socialists claim to be pleased
with the developments of the day, and
they say that for the first time in the
history Of the federation the question
was discussed with dignity and tolera-
ton on both sides, and with apparent
understanding of the issue, and this
they say marks an epoch Of advance
nent of socialism among the trades
unionists. So great was the interest in
the discussion and so general the
liberation that the f1Ve-minute rule of
the convention was not enforced
against several of the more eloquent
socialist orators.
Delegate John F. Tobin, Of Boston,
created something Of a sensation when
In the course Of an impassioned speech,
he declared that he had been given to
understand that President Gompers in
tended to vote with the Social-DemO-
cratic party and to recommend all he
should come in contact with to do like
wise Mr.. Tobin urged that what the
president of the federation thought
good enough to adopt, the federation
need not fear.
President Gompers did not deny the
assertion of Mr.. Tobin.
THE ISSUE SPRUNG.
Immediately upon the opening Of the
convention this afternoon, the socialist
question came up. The first and most
important socialist resolution was that
offered by the Cleveland Central Labor
union, of which Max Hayes, the social
ist. Is the representative. The gist Of
this resolution was to the effect that
the constitution Of the federation be
changed SO as to admit of the indorse-
ment of no political party except that
hearing on the class conscious pro-
paganda for abolition of the wage sys-
tenn" This is socialism pure and sum-
pie.
The committee on laws did not con-
cur in this resolution, or in second
iRdorsing the social democracy. It
recommended the widest scope Of dis
cussion Of all economic questions bear
ing upon the system of trades unions,
but called attention to the fact that
tho federation had always refused to
indorse any kind of politics, and rec
11I hot hA n11lA In O1n
adhered to.
When 1t was seen that the socialist
resolutions were to be defeated Max
Corey. Of Chicago, asked to be allowed
to offer a substitute resolution carry
Ing with it the essential points of
socialism contained in the other reso-
lUtions.
President Gompers at once ruled that
the substitute would not be in order
until the original resolutions had been
disposed Of Then a discussion arose.
S. B. Donnelly of New York, sup
ported the committees report, declar-
ing that politi~ and socialism should
have no planned deliberations Of the
fl deratfon.
Isaac MacCowan, of Cleveland, de-
Tended socialism vehemently, arraign-
irg the systems Of politics and society.
GREETED WITH APPLAUSE.
John F. Tobin, Of Boston, introduced
this resolution as an amendment to
the report:
Resolved, That this convention, believing
that the labor problem will be solved only
when the lands and means of production and
distribution and exchange are held as COM
mon property, and that the trades union
movement, together with political action on
class lines are the best methods to reach this
end we therefore recommend trade unionists
to vote only for such political parties as stand
for the principles enunciated herein.
The debate over the socialist resolu-
tions continued almost to the close Of
the days proceedings and will be re-
sumed tomorrow morning.
NAkHc IIIcT IM TIME