United labor bulletin., 1910-07-28

la complete change After Governor
Peabody had violated all constitutional
forms OF law and arrested and jailed sew
eral of the leaders OF the miners, and
later when the state officials of Idaho
invaded Colorado and kidnapped Presi-
dent Meyer and Secretary Haywood and
had taken them to idaho and kept them
in Jail for more thar year before a
trial could be secured it seemed as
though every leading labor union man in
Denver was struck dumb and none dared
come out in the open and speak in de-
fense of the miners OF Of their organiza-
ton. And so it was that convention
after convention met in Denver and
transacted business and adjourned with
out receiving any attention whatever at
the hands of local labor unions or of
men in the local trades unions. Now,
however, happy change has come over
the spirit of our local labor men and
we find that as soon as the eighteenth
annual convention was called to order,
the president of the Colorado State Fed
Grafton of Labor. Mr.. John McLennan,
was introduced and delivered an address
of welcome Then Mr. Clarence Moor
house and Mr.. J. F. Bedford, secretary
of the Denver Trades and Labor Assem-
bly,. were introduced. and rendered the
delegates a hearty welcome on behalf
of the organized labor movement of Den
yer. Later Mr.. VIM Leonard. former
hoisting engineer. and delegate to sew
eral of the former Conventions of the
Federation when the miners were strong
in the Cripple Creek district, gave the
delegates a welcome on behalf of the
local of the Socialist party. Later the
Cigarmakers union. one of the most ac-
tive and energetic bodies of labor men
in the whole country rendered the dele
gates a smoker at Turner hall All this,
while not at all out OF the ordinary,
seems so strange and so pleasant when
one remembers the snubs regularly
doled out to the miners when the con-
ventions were wont 70 come to Denver
in the past Slowly but surely it is
dawning upon the men of labor that the
attempt to disrupt the miners organiza-
ton a few years ago by public officials
was nothing more nor less than a move
upon the part OF some shrewd politicians
to gain control and keep control of some
state Offices, and that the miners. in
stead OF being the bad men that the cor
poration agents would have you believe.
were really fighting labor's battles all
the time. And now that our people have
had time for thought and reflection. the
men OF the hills. who are always true to
their obligations, are about to reap the
reward that faithfulness and integrity
always brings.
AS usual. the report of President
Meyer to the convention, was the first
business to occupy the attention of the
delegates. after the report of the CON-
mittee on credentials had been adopted.
Only one contest for seat in the con-
vention developed. and while the dele
gates consumed the greater part of two
days in reaching q vote. the question
was after all a very simple one. Butte
Union No. / had elected IA delegates to
the convention. No alternates had been
selected. One OF the IA chosen by ma
jority vote was unable to attend. and
the president of Butte local. exercising
his power TO appoint in case of vacancy,
named Mr.. Powers. Mr.. Bradley, who
had contested in the election for the
place. claimed that he was entitled to fill
the vacancy. as he had received almost
enough votes TO elect in the contest
The convention seated Powers, on the
theory, no doubt. that the president in
exercising the appointing power. was
not bound TO consider the fact that a
member had ATTEMPTED to secure the
place by election and failed. While the