The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-09-24

tho convention hall. watching the pro
cecdngS. soon absorbs volume OF facts
that Corrects false impressions held by
many persons among the general public
who might through inquiry easily know
better. Day by day the sessions are pub
lie. yet the Idea that they are secret sui
fingers In the minds of som" readers OF
daily papers who need only the word ia =
bor'' In a heading 10 MAKE them skip
on 10 the next column, The reference TO
dues and assessments by the speaker
gives proof that the number OF members
in the unions is rcckoned by book ac-
counts representing dollars and cents
paid in and not simply by the number oil
people wno may say. Il am trade
unlonist." as ono would say. Il am a
Democrat" ~ costs hard cash TO be a
union member, while 10 be an enthus!as-
tic shouter FOR political party nothing
more is needed than patriotism,
The one fact commented upon In the
gallery is usually the absence Of speech
iCying on the floor Elocution, spell bind
ing. impassioned appeals TO responsive
cmotjonallsm-there is little OF all that.
The big convention as machine moves
somewhat slowly. Every man can have
a hearing II he gets down To business:
relevancy OF the points commonly made
by men taking the floor Is n disappoint-
mcnt both To observers who have looked
for THE talking for ono. constituents
so much beard In Legislative halls and
To scntimcntalsts who yearn for burning
words from inspired missionaries pro-
claiming n paradise on earth soon 10
come through the magic Of universal
panaCea.
The man in the gallery hears officers,
annual reports read. motions made ana
referred TO committees. and then commit :
tee reports on these motions DEBATED VI
course there are now and then brought
up on the platform. especially during the
early days. prominent men and women
these froth they discover their error.
Thr delegates arc cordial. but being
mostly "old stasers' themselves, they
know substance from slather. The ira
ternal deiegates-trade unionists from
Great Britain and Canada, clergSmen
repre- esenting various denominations:
farmers from tho national agricultural
organizations women from the interna-
tIonal lcagues-are heard with special at
tentIou What each of them has TO say
marks of the advance made Tor trade
unionlsm in som" direction IN American
society or In some other part OF the
world All attempts 10 commit tho fed :
Grafton to partisan politics the delegates
watch narrowly. II dawns upon the spec
ta;or at length that among the dele
Ratcs q sufficient number have had eX'
pcrience with all the social moveme Is
that have had their day, or are now az :
fecting the public, To prevent trade
switching OF on other roads. The spec
tator also perccives that the trade union
principles and policies Of this country
arc pretty well settled. There is not
very much probability of sudden change
In them soon. The faith OF the delegates
is seen 10 be IN the movement itself ana
as whole They are not awaiting the
skyrocket rise and morve,ous achieve
ments OF Napolccnic loader with new
sociological invention 10 work wonders
for the wage earners. They are here in
practical turn Of mind, patiently en-
gagged In "a piece OF business. Have they
sentiment ave. in Its place. Hope
Certainly TO I,s definite limits. ldeallsm?
Truly. as toned down 10 experience But
emotional Inspirations 10 action are rare
| Is worked up on the convention floor. An
assumption that governs the speakers Ia
| that their fellow delegates have all
passed through tho primary stages OF
conviction" conversion. change OF
| heart from SIM" and determination TO