The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-10-17

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graphical Union, assembled at wash :
Z ington,1D. e., this eleventh day of Au-I
S8ust,*%l903,, that congress should res,
establish in the District. Of Columbia
a government republican in form, and
in harmony with the spirit and insti-
tutions of our country-a government
of the people, by the people, and for
the people'-based on free suffrage
limited only by reasonable educa-
tionals test, with: a, secret ballot"
This resolution is not only in har-
mony with the spirit and institutions
of our country, but in entire harmony
with the spirit of organized labor
Similar resolutions have been passed
by the American Federation of Labor
at several annual conventions, by the
federation of Labor of the District Of
Columbia, by it's successor in the field
Of labor, the central labor union Of
Washington, D. c., and by a number Of
citizens associations of this district.
In March last a petition of residents
citizens of the United States for the
establishment of republican form of
government in the national capital"
was placed in the hands of the presi-
dent Of the United States. The first
and last paragraphs Of said petition
read as follows:
'"The undersigned, believing that
the existing form of government in the
nsf FOL -
the fundamental principles of Amer
lean liberty, and that taxation and
representation ought to go together"
respectively, but very earnestly, re-
quest you to urge upin congress the
establishment Of a republican form Of
government in the District Of Colum-
bia.
"As measure Of immediate relief
we desire the passage Of Senate Joint
Resolution No. 1872, proposing an
amendment to the constitution Of the
United States. to give the District of
Columbia representation in congress
and in the ELECTORAL college, and res
pectfully request that you recommend
the enactment of said resolution.
copy of which is transmitted here
with
This petition was signed by Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation Of Labor; Frank Morrison
secretary of the American Federation
of Labor; James Duncan, general Sec
rotary of the Granite Cutters National
Union; James OConnel, president Of
the International Association of Ma
chinists; H. w. Sherman, secretary
Of the International Brotherhood Of
Electrical Workers.; John Hamer-
strom, president of the central labor
union Of Washington, D. c.; Charles
W. Winslow, secretary of the central
labor union; e. W. Oyster, ex-presi-
dent of the federation of labor of the
District Of Columbia; E. w. Patton
and A. J. e. Hubbard, proprietors of
the Trades Unionist; Joe. M. johnson,
president Of Columbia Typographical
Union; w. M. Carrot, secretary of Col
urnbia Typographical Union; w. M.
Clayton, E. A. M. Lawson, T. v. Pow
derby, Alphonso Hart and l.. P. Shoe
maker, presidents of citizens associa-
tions; w. F. Guide and Barry Buckley,
president and secretary of the Business
Mems Association Of the District Of
NO1uulU1d, L. M. OduIlueIS, pfeSluSuI
Of the Washington Savings Bank;
John Cook secretary of the largest
building: association in the district;
Robert Reyburn, NJ. d, dean of. the
medical department of: Howard INF
.yersity, and VIZ Fl q 0
Believing that the resolution intro:
duced by Delegate Lerch, above refer
red TO, was Indefinitely postponed. by
the International Typographical I'm
ion under a nisa apprehension, and that
the resolution would have been passed
by practically unanimous vote had
the matter been fully and fairly pres
ented to the convention; suggest that
the subordinate unions. Of the Inter-
national Typographical Unions en-
dorse the resolution of Mr.. Lerch, and
| notify their senators and representa-
tives of the action taken.
In my judgment nine tenths of the
organized workingmen. of Washing
ton city who are deprived of their
rights as citizens, and two-thirds of
the other residents of the city who
| would be affected by the change are
in favor of the establishment of a
republican form of government in the
national canitaJ