The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-27


We are now. and ever have been, defend
ers OF law and order. We ask no special
privileges at the hands OF our government.
We seek only to secure for ourselves the
same rights that are accorded TO other
citizens of our land
IF the liberties of the American people
are to be maintained, If we are TO per
petuate a government of the people, for
the people and by the people, IL we would
prevent moneyed oligarchy from usurping
the rights of the Republic. the power TO
issue and enforce injunctions in labor dls-
putes must be taken from the courts. Per-
sons must be punished for the crimes they
have committed when a jury of their peers
has determined their guilt, and under no
pretense must they be deprived OF liberty
or property through the Judgment. malg-
nifty, self-interest or caprice or any one
man.
IF we desire relief from this condition
that has grown upon us. we must act in
concert. Every laboring man must
act not by denouncing the courts or those
who issue injunctions, bat TO demand OF
our representatives in Congress TO know
where they stand with reference TO the
growing evil of government by Injunction.
THE American Federation of Labor has
Endorsed House bill No. 1850, intended TO
remedy this wrong. The bill was passed by
the House of Representatives May 2 1907
and on May % il was reported from the
Senate committee on the judiciary, with
an amendment that destroyed the intent
and purpose of the bill and abolished the
right of trial by jury in all allegations of
injury to property or breach of the peace
i'm cases arising out of a labor dispute
The bill as it passed the House should be
adopted"
AGAINST A DEFENSE FUND.
Chris Evans, of Ohio, reported for the
special committee which was given the
task of devising ways and means for the
creation of large defense fund to be used
in future emergencies in the organization.
and returned IL not concurred in. The re-
port of the committee adopted by the
convention, although much surprise at its
nature was evinced when it was read. The
committee reported as follows:
81. Your committee deems ii inadvisable
at this time to establish national defense
fund.
"2. On account of the unorganized condi-
ton of the miners in many of the districts
your committee would recommend that,
for the purpose of organizing said districts.
the 10 cents assessment be continued for
another year.
"3. We further recommend that the diff
ferent district organizations put forth
every effort in their power looking toward
the establishment of district defense
funds"
In explaining the report Evans said that
already the districts in the union have in
dividual defense funds which are avail
able when needed and some of them large
enough to be of value when the time comes
for their application. He cited the Illinois
district which now has 100000 in its treas
ury awaiting time when the money VIII
be needed for the maintenance of its men,
bers, should a strike other labor diff
Guilty make it necessary. He said the COM
mittee hardly believed that a 100000 de-
Tense fund was needed, and although sug-
gestions had been made that a fund as
large as 100000 be raised and put into
a safe investment until needed, they had
decided this would be unwise and urged
that the convention give up the idea. When
money is needed it can be raised, Evans
said. and the ease with which the great
relief fund was collected showed that the
miners Will meet any demands on them
when good reason for the demand is fur
nished.
FOR ORGANIZATION PURPOSES.
Although the defense fund project was
abandoned when the report of the commit
tee was concurred in shortly afterward. a
resolution providing for the continuance OF
the 1O-cent monthly assessment for or
ganization purposes was adopted. This
resolution will raise for the miners union
about 100000 a year-as much if not more
than the total revenues of some large in
ternational unions. This fund will be
raised for organization purposes and some
thought was given yesterday as to the
possibilities of it's If organizers are
paid from it and literature is circulated at
the expense of the fund, the number of or
ganizers and the volume of literature will
be unprecedented. With 100000 year the
miners will some day have an organization
so strong that 1t can successfully cope with
the amassed financial resources of the mine
owners and railroads, is the hope OF the
originators of the plan to pass the resolu-
ton. Few delegates, in fact few of the
men who are interested in the convention,
gave heed to the import of the resolution
when ii slipped through the convention.
If money was raised by one resolution
when the report OF the committee on
transportation was approved much money
was disbursed The committee tabulated
| the claims for mileage of the various dele
gates and yesterday had completed its
| work and was ready to report. Transporta-
| ton to this convention and the return of
the delegates cost $10,S9047. The largest
| sum allowed any one delegate for his mile
| age was that to a miner from Montana
| who drew $50 49, The tOatl strength of the
] convention is 745 delegates according to the
transportation committee, although many
more than this number are in the city.
NINETY PER CENT. OF VOTES.
Before the noon adjournment of the con-
vention Indianapolis was chosen as the
place for holding the fifteenth annual con-
vention. Although many cities were pro-
posed, Indianapolis received so per cent OF
the votes. Columbus, o., Chicago, Scran-
ton, Pittsburg, Kansas City, Knoxville
Tenn, Huntington, w. Va. Springfield
ILL.,, Detroit Louisville, Washington, Des
Moines, Charleston, S. c., and many other
cities were presented as candidates. but
lcCciNSU lew NOlcS MOlneT Jones favored
| Parkersburg, w. Va, and John Mitchell
nominated his home town, Spring Valley
ILL.,. but withdrew it for obvious reasons
The business was not brisk toward the
latter end of the morning session and two
| Sisters of Charity from the Home of the
| Good Shepherd took advantage of the lul
and secured a large collection from the
willing miners. Pat Dolan, the miners
'cut-up" and president of the Pittsbure
district, sang a solo at a call from friends
| and made hit.
John Mitchell was reelected president
with no opposition, receiving 5000 votes
Secretary-treasurer w. b. Wilson was re-
elected with 6125 votes, more than Mitchell
! much to the surprise of many delegates
t. L. Lewis was elected vice president
winning from I. ID. Nichols, of Pennsyl
vania, who was his only opponent Levi.
received 1903 votes, while Nichols received
| 1929. The vote showed that only a few
more than 5000 miners of the 100000 in tn,
organization voted, and this called from
President Mitchell some criticism. He saiC
that all the members of the organization
should take part in the organization of tn,
union, and he advocated censure of tn,
stay-at-homes who had not voted.
DELEGATES ELECTED.
Practically the same delegates to TIL,
American Federation of Labor were elected
by the following votes:
John Mitchell, So aga votes: W. B. Wilson
46. 1885, t. l.. Lewis. 40, 777 w. ID. Ryan, Hi
nois, 1924; John Fahy. Pennsylvania, % ,217
w. H. Haskins. Ohio. 1892. and JohI
Dempsey, Pennsylvania. 1884. Alternates
Pulaski, Pennsylvania, II, 209; G.. w. Pursell
Indiana, S,246; Chris Evans, Ohio. 1867; G
w. Savage. Ohio, 1886; j. H. Kennedy
Indiana, 5,9lI; ID. III. Sullivan, Ohio, s. 7s9