NINETEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE American Federation of Labor, 1899. Report of Proceedings. FIRST DAY-Morning Session. HARMONIE HALL, DETROIT, Mich., Dec. 11, 1899. Preliminary to the regular proceedings of the nineteenth annual convention of the American Federation of Labor, Second Vice-President Duncan, in the absence of President Gompers, who was unavoidably detained at his home in Washington by reason of a painful accident, and First Vice President McGuire, on account of illness in his family, called the convention to order and introduced Mr. Herbert J. Greville, President of the Detroit Council of Trades and Labor Unions, who welcomed the delegates. Mr. Greville spoke as follows: FELLOW UNIONISTS: In the name of the Detroit Council of Trades and Labor Unions I have the honor of welcoming you to the City of the Straits. We welcome you, my friends, to a city which has grown from a deserted Indian camping ground to one of the first municipalties in these great United States; we welcome you to a city constructed by the brawn and sinew of labor; we welcome you to a city of homes and breadwinners; we welcome you to a city within a state where trade unionism is recognized as a most powerful factor and where its advocates are recognized as most powerful factors in the uplifting of society; we welcome you to a city where in a period bordering on a decade the number of labor organizations has multiplied three fold, and, finally, we welcome you to a city where both in the municipal and county governments the eight-hour system and minimum wage rate is in vogue. My brothers, the lovers of the equality of man -represented in great numbers by the working people of this country-will watch with the keenest interest your every movement in this convention assembled. Like the child watches the mother, so will the great masses of people, many of which you represent, watch you. To you do they look as did the seatossed mariner far out on the ocean at the stars in order to learn his course; it is you that must pave the way; it is they who will follow you with unfaltering tread-for they place sacred confidence in you as their interpreters. Such gatherings as these are a blessing to mankind. The discussion of the wrongs of industrial and social life in a kindly yet forcible manner must necessarily have an uplifting effect on the minds of thinking men regardless of party, creed or color. The consideration of remedies for the settlement of all the wrongs of labor with the view of securing justice without the loss of life or property, must indeed be recognized by all as a crown of godliness on the head of social progress. At this time when such important questions are being presented before, not only the American people but the people of the entire world, it is the duty of the common people to become familiar with and have an intelligent conception of the natural evolutionary tendency of national affairs in order that a decided course may be pursued by them. It is the hope of the trades unionists that we will soon procure an enactment of a law in which the powers of government by injunction will be clearly and concisely defined, in order that we may preserve the free institutions of this great and glorious republic, as they were given us by the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In con clusion, let me say I assure you of our sincere hospitality. We desire you to first feel right at home and in the spirit of "there is no place like home" we want you to forget that you are strangers in our midst, but rather as brothers and co-workers banded together with us as an impregnable army of fearless soldiers nobly fighting the battle for humanity, justice and the equality of mankind. Mr. Greville's address was enthusiastically received by the delegates, and responded to by Vice President Duncan, who said that the convention fully appreciated the very hearty welcome extended to the delegates, and predicted that this session would give its best efforts to further promote the interest of the wage-workers of our land in all that the word implies. Mr. Duncan stated that this convention would be the largest ever held in the history of the Federation and was pleased to welcome as fraternal delegates Messrs. Haslam and Wilkie as the representatives of the British Trades Union Congress, and Mr. Carey, of the Canadian Trades and Labor Congress. Vice President Duncan announced the following appointments, subject to the approval of the convention at a later hour: George W. Duncan, Assistant Secretary; Larry Kohsin, Sergeant-at-Arms; William Nash, Messenger. Delegate George H. Warner, for the Committee on Credentials, reported as follows: To the Officers and Members of the Nineteenth Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor: GENTLEMEN-Your Committee on Credentials respectfully presents the following: We have examined the Credentials of the following, and recommend that they be seated: votes. Journeymen Barbers' International Union, W. E. Klapetzsky, 40 votes. Journeymen Bakers and Confectioners, Henry Gers, 31 votes. International Union of Bicycle Workers, J. F. Mulholland, 9 votes. Boot and Shoe Workers Union, John F. Tobin, 43 votes. National Union of United Brewery Workmen, Wm. E. Trautmann, Julius Zorn, Ed. Ward, 107 Brickmakers' National Alliance, Charles Hank, 10 votes. Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders, Wm. J. Gilthorpe, 27 votes. International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Harry A. McKnight, 5 votes. Glass Bottle Blowers' Association, D. A. Hayes, Edgar A. Agard, 42 votes. International Brotherhood of Bookbinders, J. L. Feeney, 28 votes. United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, J. J. McGuire, Sidney J. Kent, O. E. Woodbury, 200 votes. International Wood Carvers' Association, George H. Thobe, 12 votes. Cigarmakers' International Union, Samuel Gompers, Geo. A. Whitaker, Thos. F. Tracy, John C. Dernell, 270 votes. Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Luke Grant, 18 votes. Retail Clerks' International Protective Association, Max Morris, John R. O'Brien, 75 votes. Window Glass Cutters' League of America, C. A. Gabler, 8 votes. Team Drivers' International Union, Geo. Innis, 17 votes. National Brotherhood Electrical Workers, Thomas Wheeler, 20 votes. Hotel and Restaurant Employes International Union, Geo. W. Brown, 20 votes. International Longshoremen's Association, Daniel J. O'Keefe, Henry C. Barter, 130 votes. Iron Molders Union of North America, Martin Fox, Jos. F. Valentine, David Black, 150 votes. International Association of Machinists, James O'Connell, Geo. H. Warner, James J. Creamer, 136 votes. United Mine Workers of America, John Mitchell, W. C. Pearce, Fred Dilcher, John M. Hunter, 400 votes. American Federation of Musicians, Owen Miller, Stephe S. Bonbright, 60 votes. Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Homer D. Call, 17 votes. Pattern Makers League of North America, John F. McBride, 15 votes. National Brotherhood of Operative Potters, A. S. Hughes, 13 votes. International Printing Pressmen's Union, Joseph Hofbauer, John T. Corcan, 72 votes. United Association of Plumbers, Gas Fitters, etc., John Clinch, Eugene O'Conner, 40 votes. Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees, W. D. Mahon, 30 votes. Cotton Mule Spinners Association, Thos. O'Donnell, 21 votes. International Seamen's Union, Andrew Furuseth, Wm. H. Frazier, 40 votes. National Association of Steam and Hot Water Fitters and Helpers, W. L. Onstott, 20 votes. Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Association, P. J. Downey, 15 votes. Journey men Tailors' Union, John B. Lennon, Jos. Bissett, 50 votes. Order of Railroad Telegraphers, S. C. Mahaney, 80 votes. International Typographical Union, Samuel B. Donnelly, Eugene F. O'Rourke, James G. Cain, Frank Morrison, 310 votes. votes. Theatrical Stage Employes National Alliance, Lee M. Hart, 30 votes. Tobacco Workers' International Union, J. F. Donohue, 41 votes. National Union of Textile Workers, P. W. Greene, 22 votes. International Mosaic and Encaustic Tile Layers, John C. Eckel, 3 votes. Tin Plate Workers' International Protective Union, Hugh J. Scanlon, 17 votes. Amalgamated Woodworkers' International Union, Thos. I. Kidd, Richard Braunschweig, 68 Massachusetts State Branch, Dennis D. Driscoll, 1 vote. Missouri State Federation of Labor, Samuel S. Harrison, 1 vote. Connecticut State Branch, Martin Lawler, 1 vote. New Jersey Federation of Trades and Labor Unions, Henry J. Gottlob, 1 vote. Illinois State Federation of Labor, Charles Dold, 1 vote. Atlanta (Ga.) Federation of Trades, Jerome Jones, 1 vote. Binghamton, (N. Y.) Central Lobor Union, W. H. Roche, 1 vote. Birmingham, (Ala.) Birmingham Trades Council, James H. Leath, 1 vote. Boston, (Mass.) Central Labor Union, John F. O'Sullivan, 1 vote. Canton, (Ills.) Canton Trades and Labor Assembly, Homer Whalen, 1 vote. Cincinnati, (Ohio) Central Labor Council, Thos. J. Donnelly, 1 vote. Cleveland, (Ohio) Central Labor Union, Max S. Hayes, 1 vote. Columbus, (Ohio) Columbus Trades and Labor Assembly, James A. Cannon, 1 vote. Erie, (Pa.) Central Labor Union, E. W. McCully, 1 vote. Grand Rapids, (Mich.) Trades and Labor Council, D. B. Hovey, 1 vote. Zanesville, (Ohio) Central Trades and Labor Council, Jos. A. Bauer, 1 vote. San Francisco Labor Council, C. E. Hawkes. 1 vote. Champaign, (Ill.) Federation of Labor, R. E. Miller, 1 vote. Architectural Wire, Iron and Metal Workers', No. 6616, A. G. Buethe, 1 vote. Button Makers' Protective Union, No. 7181, H. W. Eddy, 1 vote. Brewery Porters and Freight Handlers' Union, No. 7236, Conrad Wolf, 1 vote. Car Builders' Union, No. 7547, J. A. A'Hearn, 1 vote. Car Builders' Union, No. 7192, John Becker, 2 votes. Caulkers' Union, No. 5600, Louis Parady, 1 vote. Freight Handlers' Union, No. 7428, Ambrose McNamara, 1 vote. Laborers' Union, No. 7320, A. H. Tingle, 2 votes. Laborers' Union, No. 6869, Jacob Frye, 2 votes. Laborers' Union, No. 7370, Hugh Craig, 1 vote. Laundry Workers' Union, No. 7071, Jos. M. Harrison, 1 vote. Piano Makers and Piano Varnish Finishers, No. 7143, Frank Helle, 3 votes. Sewer Diggers and Tunnellers' Union, No. 7319, August Smith, 1 vote. Shade Cloth Makers, No. 7360, Albert Newton, 1 vote. Stoneware Pottery Employes, No. 7497, Frank L. Hill, 1 vote. Stove Trimmers' Union, No. 7361, Albert P. Miller, 1 vote. Zinc and Lead Miners' Union, No. 7500, J. A. Burket, 1 vote. British Trades Union Congress, James Haslam, Alex. Wilkie, 2 votes. The following Credentials were protested: Chas. Sidener, American Agents' Association. James Daley, Chicago Federation of Labor. John Witzel, Tobacco Works International Union. Wm. H. Bell, Omaha (Neb.), Central Labor Union. Henry Bourdingno, Bay City (Mich.), Central Trades Council. EUGENE F. O'ROURKE, Chairman. GEO. H. WARNER, Secretary. Delegate Max Morris moved that the report be received and the delegates seated. Delegate George Beinke, of the Steam Engineers International Union, entered a verbal protest against the seating of the delegates representing the Brewery Workmen, and Delegate Julius Zorn in turn protested against the seating of the delegates of the Steam Engineers and Firemen. The Credential Committee was announced to convene immediately in committee room, where all delegates having protests were invited to appear and produce their evidence. Delegate W. E. Klapetzky moved as an amendment that all delegates against whom no protest had been entered be seated. Adopted. Delegate John F. O'Sullivan offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote: Resolution No. 18.-By Delegate John T. O'Sullivan: WHEREAS, It has come to our knowledge that Samuel Gompers, President of the American Federation of Labor, has met with a serious accident, depriving us of his invaluable presence at the opening of this session; therefore, be it Resolved, That this, the Nineteenth Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor express its deepest sympathy for our President, and regard his misfortune as our own, and it is our heartfelt wish that President Gompers speedily recover his health and that he may soon be able to attend and advise with us in the great work which will engage the attention of this convention, that we, and the working people of America, may profit by his wise judgment and wide experience. Delegate John B. Lennon moved that the officers appointed by Vice President Duncan be approved. Adopted. Third Vice President O'Connell was called to the chair, and Vice President Duncan then read the following report of President Gompers: |