The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-06-16

wrongs that abound in the land. For
twenty-five years they have been the
means Of educating the working peo-
pie In the fundamental principles of
government. They have not only
taught us how to attain a government
designed to legislate for the economic
welfare OF the masses. but they have,
taught us how to manage such gov
eminent when entrusted with power.
need but call your attention to the
character of the trade union Mayor of
San Francisco to bear out my state
ment.
l have already spoken at length. It
Is time to close. Before doing so
wish to express my appreciation to my
1ellow officers OF the Federation for
the kindly relations that have existed
between us during the year; to the
secretaries of the local unions with
whom have been in close touch, to
my brothers of the labor press for the
many .courtesies extended. and to the
delegates to this convention for their
kind attention. May the work we do
mere rebound to our credit forever and
ever.
Yours fraternally,
w. E. McEWEN.
Morning Session Wednesday.
Inc most exciting and important
session that the State Federation of
Labor has yet held was called to
order by President Templeman short
ly after $3.50. Considerable vital bust
ness was transacted, and the debates
right to the point. No unnecessary
delay occurred, and the work pro-
crossed in a strictly business-like
manner.
A supplementary report, relative to
the raising of the per capita tax,
which had been referred to the
finance committee yesterday after
noon, was read. They stated that the
present per capita tax was entirely
inadequate to carry on the organizing
work and recommended that the per
capita tax of each member be raised
one cent month. It was stated that
the American Federation of Labor
Will donate $1,000 to the State Fedora
ton provided. the State Federation
raises a like amount, the total to be
used exclusively for organization pur-
poses. They further recommended
that this report be sent to the labor
ing organizations, of the state and
| every effort to make the added tax a
| fact.
They said that special organizer
ought to be appointed at a stated sal
airy and expenses and give detailed
report at the end of each year to the
Federation council.
John Wahlquist, Minneapolis, made
a strong address in favor of the re-
port, which was referred to the COM
m1ttee on laws.
The political question was then en-
Enthusiastically discussed from all
standpoints.
The recent position that has been
taken by the laboring organizations
| was heartily and unanimously adopted
with rounds of applause. The recon-
| mendations of the committee were
| adopted with scarcely no changes, al
though the debates were vigorous and
forceful.. The selection of a platform
| then came up for consideration and
as presented: was as follows:
Your committee on political action
begs leave to submit the following
platform to be presented to the voters
OF the several legislative districts in
which candidates for the legislature
may be put up In the interest of labor.
Whereas, the working class has
| been neglected and ignored by the
state legislature. of Minnesota in it's
demand for legislation in the interest
| and protection of labor, and whereas,
| only mere palliative legislations has
been enacted by the law making body
OF Minnesota for the protection of the
| life and limbs of workingmen; and in
the last appeal of labor to the state
legislature fellow-servant bill was
so emasculated as to render it ineffec-
tive, and
Broaden Its Scope.
Whereas, the trade union movement
has been compelled to broaden in it's
scope, largely because of Indifference
to the needs of the working class
manifested by the legislative bodies
of the state and nation, and now it
has become necessary, in order to
secure remedial legislation for the re:
lief OF labor, to enter the political
field. We.zdo so after repeatedly ap-
pealing In vain for relief and we So
licit the support and suffrage of all
fair minded citizens to the following
declaration of principles:
| F1rst-We pledge ourselves, If in
trusted with the responsibility, to
work for the passage of an effective
compulsory education bill which will
prohibit the employment of children,
In factory, or shop or mine, and to Sc
cure for and guarantee to every child
in the state the benefit of our public
school system.
Second-We shall work for the pas
sage of state eight-hour workday,
so that no employee of the state shall
work more than eight hours in each
day, and that no contractor doing
work for the state shall employ his
men longer than eight hours in each