The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-05
FRIENDS ARE SORRY.
Labor Men of the City
Wanted Pierce
Reelected.
MANY TRIBUTES TO HIS WORTH.
Would Have Won if All
Local Unions Had Been
Represented.
MANY TRIBUTES TO HIS WORTH,

The labor leaders of this city were
greatly surprised at the outcome of the
election of president of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor at the North Adams
convention yesterday. They were I'M
animous in saying that if Jefferson D
Pierce really wanted the Office he could
have had it, but they knew that as al
his attention is demanded by his bust
ness, he did not put up the fight for the
position that he naturally would had
not other business interfered.
To labor headquarters yesterday aft.
ternoon, The Spy reporter was the first
to convey the news of Pierce's defeat
Those about headquarters, while
they were surprised at the
local leaders defeat, said that the
Boston delegation was out for the state
presidency and worked tooth and. mai
! to land Jonas Wiener. 1t was claimed
that if the local unions took advantage
Of their privileges they would have
elected their man as many of the unions
of this city who were entitled to senC
delegates failed to do so.
In the evening when the Central La
Dor union convened, the outcome of the
| election was discussed 1t was the I'M
animous sentiment that this city should
| have two officers on the state board in
stead of one. The local union men were
overjoyed at the advancement of ]. P
| Frey, as he has always been prominently
| identified with the labor movement in
this city and especially in the Mould
ers' union, where he was instrumental
in bringing about an amicable settle
hfaf
the Moulders' VI ion ar i the foundry
men of this city.
p. b. Keefe president Of the Carpen-
ters' and Joiners' unicn, when told OF
the defeat of J. D. Pierce, said that il
would be long time before the State
Federation Of Labor would get as able
a representative as Mr.. Pierce, and one
who will do as much for the advance
ment of the cause throughout the state
He said that during Mr.. Pierce's term
Of office of four years, he has done good
work for organized labor. Mr.. Keefe
| recognized the why and wherefoFes OF
the case, and said the Boston unions
felt that they should be represented in
the chief executives chair and all the
delegates from that end of the state I'M
doubtedly worked for that end.
For four years j. D. Pierce has per.
formed valuable service for the cause
of organized labor" said ]. H. Jeffer.
son yesterday, when questioned by Tit
Spy man regarding the election at thu
state convention, land his work WI
not be appreciated to it's full valaue un
| til someone else attempts to fill hi
shoes. OF course, l am aware that Mr.
| Pierce was not very hot after that po
! sition, he being entirely occupied with
his duties as cigarmaker for the Shat
tuck company, but for all that 1 fee
that organized labor of this
state has suffered a severe los:
in ousting him from the high.
est Office in the state branch. 1t has
leaders to get possession of the highes
office in the state federation, and il
looks as though they had succeeded
pretty well, though I know that it does
not bother Mr.. Pierce very much"
Lieut.. William E. Mccain, a promin-
ent member of the Lathers union, hao
this much to say of the defeat of Mr.
Pierce: 'They certainly did have q
good hot fight in North Adams over
that office of state president, and oui
man was defeated, but the gentleman
from Boston did not have a walkover
Mr.. Pierce to my certain knowledge
did not desire a reelection to that of
flee badly, for if he had he would have
seen to it that the unions in this city
had their full representation at the con-
vention''
Michael F. Garrett, formerly presi-
dent of the Steamfitters' Helpers
union, was not aware of Mr.. Pierce's
defeat until he was informed of that
fact by The Spy man. He said: 1.-The
State Federation of Labor loses a good
man when ]. D. Pierce retires from
the office of state president. The good
| that he has done the cause Of organized
labor in this city and the state cannot
be overestimated."