The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-11
Macarthur Johnston Retires From
Presidency of Central Trades
and Labor Union.
VOTE IS TAKEN ON QUESTION.
Result Is 119 Ayes and 65 Noes
Believer in Social Democracy
Says Proceedings Isn't
Altogether Fair.

The RESIGNATION OF Macarthur Johnston as
president of the Central Trades and Labor
Union was rendered at n meeting OF that
organization yesterday afternoon, and after
an extended debate was accepted by
vote of 119 to 65.
Walhalla Hall was packed by regular ana
fraternal delegates from the different labor
organizations. Several women represented
the Tobacco Workers Union. Chairman
Henry Blackmore of the Carpenters Union
presided. His knowledge of parliamentary
proceedings materially assisted in the prog
ress of the meeting, the principal object OF
which was to consider the resignation SUBJ
mitted by Johnston. who is candidate on
the Democratic ticket for Inspector or
Weights and Measures.
At a meeting of the Central Trades ana
Labor Union held March resolution was
passed requesting the resignation OF Mr.
Johnston who was then president OF the
Central Trades and Labor Union. Accord
ingly, the resignation was submitted. ana
its acceptance yesterday was the result OF
debate which lasted several hours Tho
original resolution requesting the resisna-
ton was passed by a vote of Sc to IL
believer in tho principles of Social
Democracy who was present at the meet
ing yesterday afternoon said: 1T Is my
opinion that the plan pursued with view
to ousting Macarthur Johnston was not al
together fair. inasmuch as Mr. Johnston IS
unquestionably a trades unionist OF the
purest type. Even those who voted to ac.
cept his resignation will support him at
the polls. The story of the opposition 10
Mr.. Johnston consists of the 1ealouSleS OF
the candidates on the Social Democratic
ticket. and the opposition was led by Leon
Greenbaum. candidate for Mayor on the
Social Democratic ticket; G. "A. Hoehn.
candidate for President of the Board OF As
SCISSORS; John Goedeker. candidate for City
Council: Owen Miller. candidate for Presl-
dent Of the Council; Charles Sweeney. cam
didate for Inspector of Weights and Meas
ures. and Ike Bower. candidate on the Mer-
iwether ticket for member of the House OF
Delegates.
Among those who supported Mr. John
resignation were: J. F. Nettler of the Elec-
trotypers' Union; p. J. Coughlan, Electrical
Union: J. McAuiffe. Glassblowers' Union;
W. Jones, Walters Union: Mrs. S: Sprag-
gins Boot and Shoe Workers Union.
The Central Trades and Labor Union
has long been opposed to the old-line par
ties. its contention being that organized la
Dor obtained but little recognition from
either. Mr.. JohnSton'S candidacy was op-
posed by them because Of this deep-seated
belief. Their following was evidenced by
the vote to the effect that Mr.. Johnston
could not consistently accept nomination
on either of the leading political tickets"
Macarthur Johnston said that in view OF
the fact that his resignation had been ac-
cepted he hoped that other delegates of the
| Central Trades and Labor Union who were
named as candidates on other tickets would
follow his example and resign. He declared
this request was consistent with the action
taken and trusted that another delegate
him in the Central Trades and Labor
Union.