The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-22
OUR FORUll
Labor's Common Cause.

Labor's Common Cause.
Graceville, Mimi. June II, 1885,
Editor Representative Dear Sir-You
will enclosed please find one dollar ($1)
for renewal OF my subscription to the
Representative, the poor mans advo-
cate. Also kindly allow me space to
give a partial report of my mission as
delegate to the 18th annual convention
of the Minnesota Federation of Labor,
held at Duluth, June IL and Is. 1899.
Hon. ]. c. Hanley and your humble SER
want had the honor to represent the
Farmers Alliance at said convention,
and a more intelligent body of men 1
never met, but alas, in proportion to
their intelligence did they build wall
of prejudice that was almost impos-
sible to break through. After President
Collins delivered his annual address,
which was an able document from a
labor standpoint of the industrial
classes, but very severe on the Farmers
Alliance. Secretary McEwen, of Du-
luth, moved that the Farmers Alliance
delegates, J. C. Hanley, of st. Paul, and
M. P. Moran, OF Graceville, be granted
hearing, which motion prevailed. J.
G. Hanley took the floor, and for over
an hour held the convention spell-bound-
and before he got through we could see
dark clouds disappearing and
ray of sunshine piercing through the
thick wall of prejudice. Your humble
servant next took the floor and made
a few remarks, telling them that came
distance of 400 miles without fee or
reward to offer an apology for having
the misfortune to live in a country that
sent d. P. O'Neal to the state legisla-
ture to father the anti-boycot bill, which
if passed, would rivet the chains of
bondage around every working man s
limbs. I also told them they might as
we'll hold the Irish nation responsible
for the dark deeds of Cachelray, whose
deeds were even SO dark for his own
black conscience that he cut his own
throat. Will O'Neal follow suit? But
there were voices heard from different
parts of the hall saying 1 was right, and
they could not hold the Farmers Ali
ance responsible for O'Neal's tricks that
were vain and deeds that were dark.
After the Farmers Alliance delegates
finished their speeches, convention ad-
journed to meet at O'Clock A. M. the
next day. June 10, o'clock A. M, con-
vention called to order, and President
Collins took the floor and forthwith
launched out in flights of oratory de-
nouncing the Farmers Alliance, saying
they were opposed to the eight hours
for days labor, and that they put
the Irvine machinery in Saltwater which
brought convict labor in competition
with free labor. Several other speakers
spoke in the same strain, and could see
Brother Hanley aching to get at them.
When all those who wished to speak on
the side of their president got through,
one Of the delegates friendly to the
Farmers Alliance, moved that J. c.
Hanley, of st. Paul, and NJ. P. Moran,
of Graceville, be given seats on the floor
with full power to vote and speak on
any question coming before the con-
vention. Motion carried by a small
majority, and Haniey was Immediately
on his feet to reply, and made sparks
from his fiery eloquence fly in all
directions, saying, that the FLUTES who
tramp upon the rights of the industrial
classes also attempt to enslave the farm
er in worse bondage than ever the At
rican slave endured" Your humble
servant also took the floor and stated
that before the farmers united that thew
worked that others who did not work
might eat. All this is now changed.
and the farmers motto is, He that
won't work, let him not eat" Well.
Mr. Hanley's resolutions were carried
without a dissenting vote. So that for
the first time the laborer working on
the farm is united with the laborer in
the city. Respectfully,
M. P. MORAN.