The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-09-07

Since 1t Is my intention to contribute
several articles bearing on interesting
incidents in connection with the labor
movement Of America. I desire now to
record the important one which occur
red at the Detroit Convention of the
American Federation Of Labor. 1890.
says Samuel Gompers in the American
Federationist of September.
At that convention, for the first time,
the organized workers Of America
formally declared their intention to heW
strictly to the line of trade unlon1sm,
taking no sides in party politics and
permitting no representation from any
political party as such.
The dual idea of political and indus
trial representation in trade union
bodies was not a new one; but at the
Detroit convention it became, for the
first time, an issue Of national import
ance in the labor world. The Socialists
had chosen to carry on their economic
propaganda through the medium Of a
political party, and its representatives
first asked admission to local trade I'M
ion councils and later to the American
Federation Of Labor convention itself.
For a few years prior to the Detroit
convention, the leaders Of the Socialist
managed the policy Of that organiza-
ton as to apparently look with favor
upon the trade union movement, and
in so far as they were willing to assist,
their cooperation was heartily accept
ed. Their real intention was very diff
ferent from the apparent one.
The labor movement of New York
city was in an unsatisfactory state
about this time by reason of certain
elements, which sought to dominate it
and divert it to proper channels. As a
consequence, a large number Of the
trade unionists formed separate cent
raj body, known as the New York Fed.
Grafton of Labor. 1t received a charter
from the American Federation of Labor
Terms of agreement were afterward
reached between the two central bodies,
and with my assistance they were re-
united.
A few months later, the leaders of the
Socialist party unnecessarily provoked
a new schism, and the New York Fed
GRAFTON of Labor was revived. The So
cialist party sent delegates to that body
The New York Federation of Labor ap-
piled to the writer, as president of the
American Federation of Labor, for its
old charter.
Mr. Henry Enrich, then treasurer OF
the American Federation of Labor, pro-
tested to me, calling my attention to the
fact of the Socialist Labor Party being
represented in the New York Fedora
ton of Labor.
Correspondence proved the facts to
be as Mr.. Enrich had stated. I refused
to reissue the charter on the ground
that representatives of a political party
had no place in an Industrial council
An appeal was taken to the executive
council of the American Federation OF
Labor, which sustained my action. The
controversy was next transferred to the
American Federation Of Labor conven.
ton at Detroit.
The Socialist Labor party made the
issue by sending Mr.. Lucian Sanial a.
a representative of their party to the
Detroit convention. He was accorded
every courtesy and privilege in order
to state the argument in favor of Civ.
ing the Socialist party representation
the same occupying three days of the
conventions time.
His party had secured the election OIL
a number of delegates, who agreed with
them politically, as representative:
from trade unions; and this added zest
to the debate; although, of course, there
was no objection raised to such dele.