The Washington herald., 1907-12-08
CANNON ON GOMPERS
Continued from Page One.

courage OF their convictions. because ours
is a representative government
Would he Union LabOrer.
You belong to labor organization.
and very properly so. II l were of your
craft ! would belong to the organization.
because a two.fold cord is strong and a
three-fold cord is not easily broken. and
in the changed conditions of production
you can do the best service to yourselves
and to the whole community by organiza-
ton. Substantially for a quarter Of a
century l have believed this. Age and
experience sometimes bring knowledge.
When l first entered Congress l read John
Stuart Mills Political Economy. At that
time the world was my country. and trade
and commerce knew no boundaries, and
can remember making a number OF five
and ten minute free trade speeches. But
when 1 got out more into the world, in
creased my range of vision beyond my
own district in Illinois. and appreciated
better the peculiar conditions Of our coun-
try. l became-and am now, l think-a
pretty fair protectionist. never had any
pride I'm trying TO be consistent; and do
not know how many times l may have
been inconsistent
Labor Leaders and Himself.
Let me go one step farther am not
now receiving and cid not receive last
year the approval Of u good many agents
OF labor organizations including the man
who is at the head OF the American Fed
Grafton OF LabOr-a pretty able man,
think. and one who has done pretty well.
presume. or you would not keep him
where he is.
He undertook TO carry the labor unions
into politics: he held some views that
did not think were right. as God gave
me 70 see the right and when he said
should be disciplined and defeated. was
manly and able to say. I appeal from
you to those whom. in my opinion, you
misrepresent; and they viii have 70 be
the jury l never got so large union
labor vote in my life as I did in that
campaign twelve months ago.
I'VE had II hammer and tongs, and
there was no lodging. I said, This man.
however meritoriouS he may be, does not
control your rights as citizens and SOW
ereigns In matters outside of the organi-
zation affecting your good and the public
good.
Wants GOmpers to Reform.
Il got the verdict; but he IS still I'M
happy. In view Of his good ability. and
the good work he has done. 1 hope he will
get HIS head, because no man lives or
ever will live in this republic who can
arbitrarily say to two million men. fed
Grated together. Go here or Go there
You will not do IL; the men in my dis
trict did not do It. have no hard words
or abuse for him. or for any one else, and
il is a great satisfaction TO me that you
men. who live in your craft and perform
your duties OF citizenship. should call
and express your confidence in me and
what have done"
The resolutions which called forth the
Speakers little discourse were passed by
the executive board OF the local plate
printers union. the members Of which
are employed largely in the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing. They recited
that Mr. Cannon's success III having the
sundry civil appropriations bill amended
In 1899 to provide that certain class of
revenue stamps should be printed from
engraved plates, and also in the preced-
ing year, TO provide that United States
notes. currency notes. and bonds should
be similarly made. as well as his having.
in February, 1903. at the request OF the
the adoption of an amendment to the de-
ficiency appropriations bill then pending
before the House, through which the
plate printers were relieved of a very
grave taxation upon their earnings, had
not only resulted in a high standard of
printing for the government securities. |
but also given to the plate printers craft |
uniform and unbroken prosperity during !
nearly a decade. and in expressing their |
gatitude therefor also expressed their |
confidence in the author of those amend |
ments. The resolutions were signed by !
William D. Leissler, president; George P. |
Foster, chairman; r. l.. Grace, jeremiah |
P. Murphy, Samuel f. McCully. w. d. |
Clark, and Charles T. Smith. composing |
the executive committee. all of whom |
were also members. Of the committee
which called upon the Speaker and pre-
scented the resolutions
Federation and Ingratitude.
AS the delegation was leaving an in
teresting colloquy was heard.
Just one word more" said Mr.. Leissler. |
1T would be improper for US to leave the |
impression that this act of ours is in
any way disioyal to the American Fed !
Grafton OF Labor"
Il do not think So replied Mr. Cannon !
But when 1t comes to making a plate |
printer an migrate" continued MIR. Leiss- |
Ter. that is the time we act for our
selves
THAT is all right. boys" concluded Mr. |
Cannon. land do not misunderstood me- |
would not say anything that reflected on |
the American Federation OF Labor But |
l have the privilege, whether I am right |
'or wrong, TO walk under the direction |
of the Constitution and the laws that
govern us all Unionism never has pros
pered and never will prosper except as il |
journeys along I'm the direction of rem |
dering more efficient service to your
selves and your employers. You are |
journeying along and the Federation is !
not going out Of business, and, looking |
upon 1t as I do. it would be a pretty |
bold man who would want it TO so out /