The age-herald., 1901-08-18
Last Session One 'Bubb|ing
 Over With Good NH
TOKENS OF ESTEEM GIVEN
Chairman Holt of Entertainment Com mlttee and Others Remembered.
 MT. Govan Talks Taxation
 and Scores the Socialists.

In peace and harmony and in the best of good humor the forty-seventh annual convention of the l. T. U. adjourned yes terday morning after a session of only an hour and forty minutes.
 The legislative business was disposed of in three-quarters of an hour and the re- mainder of the time was given to thanks distributin of tokens and happy little speeches. Chairman Holt of the enter tainment committee, Richard F. John ston, Mrs. W. R. venable and the Ladies' Auxiliary were among the recipients of beautiful gifts which the delegates and visitors made in appreciation of the courtesies and attentions shown them during their weeks stay in Birmingham. It was something on the order of a social session or rather love feast.
 Delighted With City. After the convention Thomas H. Wheaton, chairman of the committee on thanks. said to a representative of The Age-Herald that every word in the re- port was true.
 We are all delighted with Birming- ham, he remarked. "and everything has gone off without hitch What has been done for our pleasure and comfort could not have been well improved upon.''
 In the Hobbies of the hotels yesterday afternoon remarks similar to those made by MT. Wheaton were heard on every hand
 The most important work of the con- vention, in the opinion of nearly all the delegates, was the adoption of the propo. sltion to abrogate the tri-partite agree ment between the I! T. U., the Pressmen and the Bookbinders. and next to that the action on the stereotypers and Elec- tro- Engravers.
 Prominent leaders of the I. T. U ex- pressed the sbelief that before next year the pressmen would be ready to see the mistake they had made In trying ito wag the dog and as one of them re- marked, they would be coming to us with their hats off,
 MT. Govan Dissents.
 Concerning the business of the ,conven- tion. MT. Govan of New York did not chime In with the majority in saying the tri-partite matter came first in impor-- tance. He said:
 The most important piece of legisla- tion accomplished, In my view, Ias the adoption of the proposition of my col league MT Ben Harrison, that Congress be petftloned to stipulate for the re- moval of the tariff on wood pulp in ad- justing the commercial relations of Can- ada and the United States"
 You mean that the measure Is im- portant as regards the future?' was asked.
 T mean that it is of immediate impor- tance," replied MT. Govan," for what emboldens the monopolists is the apathy of the people. When the American wage worker shows that he has the intelli- gence to perceive and the courage to op- pose the invasion of his rights they are quick to take the alarm and retreat. The mere knowledge that Congress is to be pettioned on the subject will put them on their good behavior. It is matter of great surprise to me that the proposition of MT. Sherouse of Jacksonville, offered shortly after Mir Harrisons resolution had passed was defeated. It was supple mentary to the Harrison measure in its effect. It proposed that a committee be appointed to inquire into the operations of the paper trust and kindred combina- tions with view to discovering, If possi- ble, the source of their power to oppress industry and restrict employment Such an inquiry. conducted by a competent committee. would have been In the high est degree educational in its results and would have led to the formation of reme- dial measures and the election of men pledged to secure their passage"
 Subject of Taxation.
 Then it's effect would have been essen- tially the same as that aimed at in your own proposition for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the effect of taxation upon wages?" was asked
 Precisely. It would have opened up the whole subject of taxation, which Is the heart of the labor problem. Taxation has been the chief instrument of oppression since the first human government was established The fights for freedom in all ages have been fights against tax rob- bery."
 Were you not surprised to find the so- cialist from Cleveland against your" was asked
 By no means. I looked for opposition from that quarter. MT. BandIow belongs to the class of reformers with whom emor ton takes the place of reason. They feel acutely the misery endured by the mass of their fellow beings and insist that 1t be ended at once. In their impatience they seek to overthrow the whole social structure at a blow. Their resentment to- ward those who do not immediately for swear their Republicanism or their Dem ocracy and embrace socialism in it's en- tirety is so intense that they set them- selves against all measures of reform short of the most radical.
 pIscredit to Reform.
 .arhey take no account of human na- ture or of the proprieties and fondly imagine that bearded men may be driven into freedom They bring discredit on the whole reform movement and inspire hatred and contempt where they m.snt win friendliness and respect. Their