The wageworker., 1906-01-13
STANDING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
Fortieth Annual Convention Of the Bricklay-
ers' International Union in Session at Min
neapolis With Three Hundred Delegates
Present Cheer the Statement that Union
Men Stand for Highest Ideals Of Morality
and Civic Rghteoudness.

The fortcth annual convention of the Brick
layers International Union is IN session at
Minneapolis, the convention beginning last
Monday. The convention will continue IN
session two weeks, with two sessions a day
the first week, and three sessions day during
the second week. Before the convention adj
journs the Minneapolis locals will tender the
delegates grand ball, and the St. Palil locals
will spread banquet There are about 800
delegates in attendance.
At the first session Monday morning Presi-
dent William Dog of Stonemasons' local No.
presided and after a few brief but well chos-
words of welcome asked Rev. J. NJ Cleary
to invoke the divine blessing. Mr.. Doig then
introduced Governor John A. Johnson, who
brought the delegates UP standing while the
hall resounded with their cheers by declaring
himself thoroughly in favor Of labor unions
Governor johnson didn't mince his words
bit, either.
Il believe that labor has a right to orgai1-
ize to protect the country and to protect it
self, said the governor, amo1g other things.
Every who must labor to support him
self and those dependent upon him has a right
to organize, and not till he is organized is
there a chance for that equitable dealing be-
tween labor and capital, which we all dese.yy
ing in hearty sympathy with the aims Of or
ganized labor, but he confined his remarks
chiefly to brief reference to municipal gov
ernment. The lid is on pretty tight in Min
neapolis and when the mayor, referring tQNlcs
fact that the saloons are closed nf1say
declared it to be his belief that the labor unions
looked upon it as being in the Interests of the
workingmen, the delegates again stood up and
cheered 4 believe that the Workingmen OF
the country taking deeper interest in
these problems, and that organization is hav-
ing splendid influence in n1olding better cit
izens, said Mayor Jones. Then the conven-
ton cheered again and again.
Mayor Jones then welcomed the visitors to
Minneapolis. In addition to the utterance up-
on the Sunday closing enforcement which
aroused the enthusiasm of his audience, he
dwelt upon the great development OF Mime
apolis building center and commented up
the present friendly relations between en-
p1oyer and employee
At the close Of the mayors address William
J. Bowen of New York, the international pres
ident, replied briefly in behalf of the visiting
delegates and the meeting was resolved into
an informal reception with Governor Johnson,
Mayor Jones and Father Cleary in the receiv-
ing line
The afternoon session was taken up with the
routine work of organization. The committee
on credentials reported that there were about
800 accredited delegates from all points in the
United States and Canada. About $50 Of
these delegates were present at the opening
session.
The present officers of the union are w J.
Bowen Of New York. president; Thomas R.
Preece of Chicago, first vice-president; George
T. Thornton Of Boston, second ce-president;
Edward G. Brandon of San Francisco, third
vice-president; Thomas lizard Of Toronto,
fourth vice-president; William Dobson OF
North Adams, Mass secretary; Patrick Muir
ray Of Albany, treasurer; Edward A. Moffett,
editor.