Natchitoches populist., 1899-02-24

export domestic merchandise valued at |
less than $1,14O, 100000.
Every woman employe of the Chi
cago and Northwestern railway sys-
tenn who has been in the service less
than two years will be given a dis
charge as a New Years present.
Changes in the rates Of wages OF
about 141,000 work people were report
ed to the British board OF trade dur
ins; October, of which number 10000
received advances, and 700 sustained
decreases. The net result was an in
crease estimated at about Sad per
head in the weekly wages of those af-
| fected.
A meeting OF much Importance to
the printing crafts will be held in
Pittsburg on Jan. s between represen-
tatiVes Of the International Typo
graphical union, the International
Printing Pressmen and the Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Bookhinders. A
representative of the photographers
may also be present.
Cubans are fast Catching onto" Am
erlcan lahorers' ways. Last Tuesday
the Cubans constructing d quarter
masters warehouse struck, demanding
So day in gold. They were receiving
rs cents, American money, for eight
hours work. in addition to rations.
| The fight against the proposed new
departure was led by President Com
pers, and 1t Is simple justice to say
that by this fight the veteran head OF
the federation has not only perform
eel a great deed for the cause of labor,
but has materially added to his pres
tige and weight among those who
take conspicuous part in shaping
the policies and conducting the cam
paigns of labor.
The eighteenth annual convention
Of the American Federation of Labor
advanced the cause of labor in two
ways-by some things it did, apd by
refusal to do some things 1t was ask
: ed to do. By vote of nearly five to
one it refused to adopt resolutions
which declared that the only way to
insure to labor its just reward and
proper recognition was to cast aside
existing institutions and substitute for
them straightout, uncompromising So
ciaiism, and that this STEP should be
at once taken. What it did adopt, in
stead. by an equally decisive vote, was
this:
I'VE heartily recommend the cordial
acceptance of all assistance that may
be given by the trade union movement
by all reform forces, the socialistiC
political parties included. The hope
and aspiration Of the trade union is
closely akin to that expressed by the
] socialists. That burdens Of toll may
lie made lighter, that men shall possess
larger liberty, that the future shall b,
better than the past, may properly b.
the ideals Of those Of all movements
which really desire labor emancipa
tion. We appreciate, however, tina
rnen, because of different environment
through life, must OF necessity react
different conclusions, If not as to tn,
end to be attained, certainly as to th'
9 Toads to be Travelled to the goal de
9 sired. We affirm the trade uniol
: movement to be the legitimate channe
r through which the wage Garner Of Am
g erica should secure present and futur
Z emancipation. We hold that tn
trades unions Of America, as compris
: ed In the American Federation of La
1 for, do not now and never have de
e clared against the discussion of econ
4 omic and political questions in tn
meetings Of their respective unions
e We are committed against the indorse
I nnent or the introduction of partisan
political or religious differences o
: race prejudiees. We hold it to be tn
e duty of trades unions to study sn
4 discuss all questions that have IN
g bearing upon industrial or poiitica
+ liberty, but we declare that 1t is no
y within the province of the America
e Federation of Labor to designate i
g which political party a member shal
Y belong or for which political party b
shall vote.
e Never was b fiercer fight waged l.
d the Federation for the substitution O
o socialistic for trades union principles
L never did the champions OF the forme
come more sure of victory, more intol
:, Grant of contradiction; never wa
: their defeat more signal; never, an
IS this is the result of their attempts, wa
! the federation SO firrnly planted o.
e those conservative, progressiy
/ principles that enable III to com
/ to state and federal legislatures an
I executives and ask for enactment an
q enforcement cf laws looking to th
. greater reward, the fuller considera
9 ton of labor.
p 1t is not essential that one alway
/ agree with Mr.. Gampsrs Today tn
majority Of the people at large an
OF laboring people in particular do nc
share his Views an the course to b
u pursued with reference to the people
J. Of cur newly acquired dependencies
~ n.