People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1893 — IN LABORS' BEHALF. [ARTICLE]

IN LABORS' BEHALF.

Opening of the Convention of the American Federation. Chicago, Dec. 13. There were nearly 100 delegates in the council chamber in the city hall at 10 a. m. when the thirteenth annual convention of the American Federation of Labor was called to order by President Samuel Gompers That the delegates realized the meeting was one of unusual importance was evidenced by the deep interest that was manifested even in the perfunctory preliminary work of organizing the convention. The early session was devoted to receiving reports and reading the call for the meeting. This call was notable for its reference to the present depression in the labor market and the suffering among all classes of workmen. ■ Gov. Altgeld and Mayor Swift had been announced as speakers at the opening session by the local committee on arrangements, but President Gompers, on learning of this, notified each that they would not be called upon to address the gathering, because the constitution of the federation provides that no public officials shall address its conventions. After calling the convention to order President Gompers introduced J. J. McGrath, of the Chicago Trade and Labor Assembly, who made an informal address of welcome. He was followed in a similar address by W. C. Pomeroy, 1 vice president of- the local trade and labor assembly. M. 11. Madden, president of the Illinois state federation, followed, and President Gompers responded to these addresses. President Gompers’ annual address, 1 delivered during the efternoon session, was long and exhaustive. It handled at length almost every question of interest to labor. Concerning the industrial and financial depression Mr. 1 Gompers said that its causes were to be traced to the extraordinary activity of manufactures after their emergence from the panic of 1873. The markets were glutted with products. The federation early foresaw the difficulties that confronted the people and in 1884 started the movement for the reduction of the hours of labor. The movement was frustrated in 1886, but resumed in 1890. Had not the capitalistic classes so vigorously opposed it the panic of 1893 would not have been known. President Gompers thought the present depression was having a deleterious effect upon labor organizations. “It is no exaggeration to say,” he declared, “that more than 3,000,000 of our fellow toilers throughout the country are without employment."j On the subject of the advisability of the federation taking political action he said: "The last convention recommended to the organized workmen that they take such action politically as shall secure the best resulls to labor and place the movement upon a higher plane. 1 desire to record not only that in my judgment the trend will soon be in that direction, bu t that every earnest effort made has met with the cooperation ot the members of the executive council. An intelligent use of the ballot by the tollers most largely contribute to lighten the burdens of our economic struggles. Let us elect men from the ranks of labor to represent us in congress and the legislatures whenever and wherever the opportunity offers. Lei us never be recreant to our trust-, and regardless of political affiliations or predilections always vote against those whose interests are mimical to labor." - The address also contained some pertinent remarks on the ear-coupler law, the Chinese exclusion act, government ownership of the telegraph, railroad strikes, child labor and other matters of industrial interest.

The report of Secretary Evans was mainly interesting from the fact that it furnished a detailed statement of the monej' received and expended in the interest of the Homestead legal defense fund. During the year ending October 31 charters were granted to 208 various labor organizations, six of which were national unions. Several amendments to the constitution were suggested by the secretary. The report of Treasurer John B. Lennon, which was also submitted, showed that the total income for the year ending October 31 was $21,487.14, and the total expenses $17,818.40. leaving a balance of $3,668.74. This balance, with the unexpended residue of the Homestead fund, makes the total cash in the treasurer’s hands $7,147.44.