Gilpin observer., 1899-06-08
CALL FOR wlNcHEsrERs.
Radical Sentiment Expressed 1t the FEEDER
alton Convention.


Radical Sentiment Expressed At the FEEDER
alton Convention.
Denver, June 1.-THE State Fedora
tion Of Labor, which is in session here,
seems disposed to take radical action
on the subject of the Idaho labor
troubles. Some very warm sentiments
were expressed by speakers yesterday.
Delegate f. II. Richardson OF Pu-
eblO introduced the resolution which
caused the Outburst of feeling. His
resolution was supplemented by an
other, introduced by ]. ID. Lewis and
Philip Veal Of Silverton, Socialist La
Dor advocates. Both resolutions We're
referred to the committee on resolu-
tlOns with Instructions to combine
them and secure their publication.
Delegate Richardson's resolution de-
nounces General Merriam as an anar-
chist for his action in the Occur
d'Alenes, and holds him. responsible
for the death of union men in prison
at Wardner.
The resolution offered by Delegates
Lewis and Veal calls General Mer-
riam ''pusiflanimous tin soldier;' de-
clares that the President Is responsi-
BILE for the action of the troops in the
Occur dAlenes and denounces him for
"using the powers of the federal gov
ernment to disrupt the labor unions at
the request of the robber capitalists"
The conditions established by the reg
ulators are likened to those existing in
Siberia. and the resolution closes by
demanding that the President OF the
United States Immediately Withdraw
the troops from their damnable work
in the employment of the Standard OH
trust
Philip Veal opened the debate upon
the resolutions. In the course OF MS
remarks he denounced Governor
Thomas for calling out the troops dur
ing the Lake City troubles. He said:
1--WE do not attack in our resolution
the Individual alone, nor do we aim
especially at General Merriam, but it's
the system which makes such outrages
possible that we are after. We just as
heartily denounced Governor Thomas
of this state for calling out the troops
to shoot down the miners during the
Lake City troubles. He was quick to
take action at that time, yet here the
mine owners are violating the eight
hour law and he hasn't taken any ac-
ton. But passing these resolutions
will not be enough. We have nothing
to arbitrate, we must act"
Delegate Clark said that General
Merriam followed the dictates of the
administration and had to do what he
did because he is soldier and must
obey. He advocated striking at the
root of the matter, as he termed the ad-
ministratiOn.
.1This is not n matter on which to
pass resolutions. We have got to show
Them that we mean business"
Yells from all corners of the hall
greeted this statement, and drowned
the voice of the speaker for brief
period. Turning part way around so
that he faced his hearers, Clark, whose
voice had risen to high pitch. cried:
1.-THE time has cOme-the time has
come, say, when we must arm our
selves with 44-Winchesters-
wild cheers again drowned his voice.
md when they had subsidized he finished
with:
are the producers of wealth. ana
must get our rights!'
Cooler heads here interposed with
speeches in favor of moderation. Dele
gate Wilson said:
1--WE will never advance one step by
using the name of an individual. If
we attack, we should attack the policy
of the government and not persons. Let
us eliminate the name of General Mer-
riam from these resolutions. lie was
only tool. Let us not go to such eX-
tremes. And for heavens sake do not
let us degrade ourselves by personali-
ties" f'
Another delegate said there were
some things he. as an American citizen.
could not swallow and he wished the
resolutions modified somewhat.
P..F. Rock and Delegate Sugrue then
smoke in favor of the resolutions as
they stood. Mr.. Sugrue said:
"There is entirely too much OF this
conservatism. You fellows will have
to get out II you don't want to stand
by us in our fights for the rights of the
labOring men. We can't pass resolu-
tions strong enough to express our
feelings. say put in all the names
we can get, and put them in in glow
ing red letters. The time has come
when we must either fight or quit the
organization"