Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-08-12

morning in the city hall in this city
with an attendance of forty delegates,
representing over 12,oro workingmen.
T.. G. Grcemorc of the Central Labor
Union Of Burlington, chairman of the
committee on ARRANGEMENTS, called the
meeting to order and in n few well
chosen words introduced Mayor A. S.
Drew of Burlington as the first speaker.
Mayor Drew welcomed the delegates in
"A short speech in which he emphasized
the fitness of Burlington as convention
city, and spoke of his belief in the
uniting of organized labor and in the
principles for which such unions stand.
lie offered the delegates the freedom of
the city and wished them success in
their deliberations and pleasant stay
in Burlington The mayors remarks
were greeted with marked applause.
GOVERNOR GATES INTRODUCED.
Chairman Greemorc then introduced to
the convention Governor Charles w
Gates All arose while the Governor was
escorted to the speakers platform by a
committee Of three The chief executive
made forcoful address. which was in
part as follows:
"rhe invitation extended me to address
your convention by your secretary af-
= fprd.d me unusual pleasure and gratifica-
tion. as | had to speak pretty plainly
to labor unions during the last session
uf the Legislature. take a great in
torest i'm the proper settlement of the
labor question in Vermont for believe
that its solution means great deal not
only to the working man but to the
whole state. l believe that labor unions
"a n ha i'm "
their power is rightly used and | be-
licvc i'm supporting all Efforts for the well
iarr of tho working man. and ! am with
them at any cost, So long as I am
convinced that they are right. | believed
in tho bills passed by the last Legislature
creating factory inspectors and from the
reports | have received | am convinced
that these factory inspectors have
bottored tho conditions of workers in
our mills throughout the state. be-
lieve that the workmens compensat ton
law has proved benefit to the labor
ing man and | am sure that as they
arc needed other laws will be promulgated
for the working mans benefit. since labor
interest and the interest of the State
are identical. Situated as Vermont is in
an isolated position, a State which can
in manufact tories although our deposits
OF valuable stones, such as marble,
granite ana tale are the greatest I'm the
world, | believe that u situation should
not arise in the whole state that would
call for a strike or Il lockout and wish
that it could be- made legally impossible
t. have such. | would have each member
of "A labor union feel that he must be
is give and take proposition and that
the working mans success depends upon
the success of his employer | would
have the employer feel likewise that his
success depends upon the success of his
workmen, for feel that the labor Qucs-
ton can never be properly settled until
This spirit Of cooperation is attained"
Governor Gates also spoke of the
attitude of those born under a different
government and of the sense of personal
responsibility which is developed when
this country's struggle for free govern
ment was realized He said that this
state wanted the best government in
the country and that with the sense of
individual responsibility and cooperation
spreading through all our activities, Yer
mont would become the workman
paradise of the United States The Gov
ernor said that he could already see a
response to such sentiment and that he
believed the attainment Of this end was
constantly being approached by the labor
unions. The Governor was continually
interrupted by rounds of applause ant
was roundly chcercd at the conclusion
Of his speech.
Chairman Groemore then turned tht