Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-09
pleasing remarks, which IN substance
we're as follows:
To the Officers and Members of the o. v.

ITO the Officers and Members Of the o. v.
7. & L. A.
Gentlemen:-The time has arrived when
it becomes necessary for me to sever my.
connection with your honorable body. As
you are all aware the organization of
which | am a member has called upon
me to accept a position in their service
and In doing so / am forced to separate
from my former friends and brother work
ers in this particular locality In leaving,
however, l assure you that it is not with
out deep feelings of regret that I tear
myself away from a body of men true
and loyal to the core; and a body that
has ever honored me with their confidence
in the past 1t is with the highest sense
of appreciation that L at this time attest
my eternal gratitude to those who in fair
or foul weather never wavered in their
friendship. In discharging the duties of
the different positions assigned me, I as
sure the members of this body that have
ever kept but one object in view, and that,
the betterment of conditions of those
whose interests we represent, in the per-
Torrance of some OF these duties none
felt more sorrow than 1 at the necessity
of the enforcement of rules and laws which
caused pain and i'll feeling to arise but the
a position of trust that would fail to do
the duties imposed on him, if, in the dis
charge of those duties, unpleasant though
they be. If 1 have made mistakes the fut-
ure will rectify them, and in the general
clearing up no matter what may be said it
cannot ever be charged that 1 was act
uated by malice or self-emoluments.
las is customary for years, permit me
n with IF Of
the most important events of the year
that is fading away and its application to
the future welfare of this body and those
they represent as taught by the school of
experience, with such suggestions as may
seem pertinent to the occasion. The year
opened very auspiciously for the Assem-
bly,; trade conditions and business of all
kinds were experiencing a revival of no
small dimensions, and as is usually the
case, the wage-earner saw in these condi-
tions an opportunity to secure for himself
what he long desired-a fair share of the
profits of his production.
ITO secure even a consideration those
who were outside of the ranks of organ
lied labor soon realized that they were
without that security that gives assur-
ance and stability TO fair and legitimate
request. AS a, consequence organization
became the watchword, and in almost
every instance where increased pay was
demanded the first step in the direction of
securing it was TO organize. 1t is unnec-
essary to comment on this; the moral is
plain.
las the official term of officers of this
body is already at an end and our laws
are stringent in some parts, L would sug-
gest that to allow my successor a fair
field, that the Vice President be allowed
to preside over this body during the bal
ance of the term.
I'm conclusion, would say that the
movement we are engaged in must go on,
even though we find weak and designing
men on the inside and INSCRIPTIONS enc
mics on the outside. There will always be
plenty of stout hearts to take up the work;
hearts that realize that it is darkest be-
fore the dawn; and that though dark
clouds at times obscure the horizon after
they have passed away the bright golden
sun will shine on all alike, driving back
distress and sorrow and instill into the
hearts of man that confidence that will
eventually bring about the conditions that
we are earnestly desiring. The work must
go on because history teaches us that
the only benefits are derived by our people
was through intelligent organization, and
intelligent agitation, because back of the
movement stand large number of people
who have an abiding faith in the ability
of those who are striving to assist them
and whose efforts shall never cease until
the goal of mans emancipation is reached.
again, thanking you one and all for
the confidence reposed in me, and assuring
you that that confidence viii ever be an
inspiration to me in the future to con-
tinue in the same path as in the past, L
will now respectfully tender to you my res
ignaton as President of your honorable
BODY
Mr. Tighe also gave brief review of
labor conditions in general during the
past year, dwelling particularly upon
labor laws, strikes and boycotts and
franchises.
On motion of Delegate Jackson the
resignation was received and a vote
of thanks was rendered to the retiring
president for his efficient services.
Then followed a heated discussion in
regard to the appointing of a successor
to the president, some favoring the rec
ommendation that the vice president
fill the unexpired term, and others de-
string that a new president be elected
at once On motion the matter was
finally laid on the table for two weeks.
One of the delegates then spoke Of
the present condition of the local tall
ors' union. after which Delegate Ga
briel Jackson spoke very feelingly OF
the departure of Mr.. Tighe for his new
field of duties and after expressing his
regret wished him happiness and sue
cess through life. Mr.. Tighe responded
with few appropriate remarks, after
which the meeting adjourned.