Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-06-26
|GOMPERS VICTORY
OVER OPPOSITION
SWEEPING, HE SAYS
''ReSuH Demonstrates Labor VIII
Not Submit to Forces
OF Corruption"

DENVER, Colo, June rs. Pres
ident Samuel Gompers, Americas
veteran labor leader overwhelmingly
defeating his first serious opposition
s'h,e 1894, was today returned 10 of
flee with his entire administration
:or another year by the Americ al
ryceration Of Labor.
This sweeping victory, the labor
chief said tonight at the close of the
federation's fory-first annual con-
vention, demonstrated that the Amer
lean trade union movement will not
submit TO dictation from the forces Of
corruption or greed-neither the
Hearsts nor the Garys can chart out
our course or select our leaders.
Our movement is united. 1t is
prepared to be aggressive in defense
Of the rights of the workers. Ii will
not be swcrvcd from its course. Ii
will be sad day for the aspirations
of the working people of our land
when corrupt and intriguing interests
can either divide our movement,
change our course or destroy its lead
ership. The vote today has demon
strated to the world that we have not
yet come upon that day.
The whole work of the conven-
tion, the resolutions and declarations
adopted, the policies indicated. mean
for the future united progressive,
militant movement, following upon
progressive, fruitful and militant
past.
For myself, | may say that the
work of the convention and the result
of the election fill me with satisfac-
tion, gratitude and pride, not for my
self but for our government l am
proud of our movement and my life
shall be given TO it in the future as
1t has been for these many years. We
are in serious times, but we face them
undaunted and with confidence and
courage.
The labor chiefs forces made a
clean sweep from the beginning, when
President Gompers was returned to
the presidency for the fortieth time.
by defeating John H. Lewis. president
of the United Mine Workers, by a
vote Of 25,022 to 1924.
The vote was taken amid scenes of
wild enthusiasm, rivalling those of
national conventions. The galleries
were packed with spectators. The
convention floor was overflowing
with delegates and their friends
Cheers and applause swept the audi
torium at every vote.
Several attempts by Gompers sup
porters 10 stampede the delegates for
the veteran leader during the demon
strations failed. scores of delegates
remaining silently in their seats un-
moved.
This was the first time that Com
pers has been seriously opposed since
1894. when he was defeated by John
Mcbride, mine worker at con
vention in this city but was reelected
TO office the following year.
When his victory was announced
the labor leader, who is now III years
old. could scarcely control his emo
tions and appeared on the verge of
tears when he took his place at the
rostrum % thank the delegates for
their support and confidence. He
declared:
MY election will bring no comfort
to Gary or Hearst"
Lewis arose from his seat AT the
rear Of the hall and declared in a
stirring address that he accepted the
verdict Of the American Federation
Of Labor without the slightest tinge of
enmity in his mind. adding:
II have used no dishonorable meth
ods in my efforts to realize my as
piration for the presidency.
II have not been the candidate Of
William Randolph Hearst. do not
know the man.
II stand more than ever before
with the great trade union movement
Of America and my voice and ability
shall always be given to making the
American movement greater than ev-
er before"
He was given n tremendous ovation
as he concluded his speech.