The Herald

IN THE FIELD OF LABOR

The Labor Congress Endorses Bryan

HE IS ITS CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT

Strong Resolutions Are Adopted Without Any Dissent

SENTIMENT OF WORKINGMEN

Is Truly Expressed by Its Authorized Local Representatives

Solid Phalanx Against Hanna and the Gold Standard

Proceedings of the Meeting of the Labor Congress Session Held Yesterday.

Labor News Gathered in the Local Field

The Labor Congress by a unanimous vote yesterday indorsed the candidacy of William J. Bryan for president of the United States. This action would have been taken some time ago, but it was deemed best to defer it until the proper time had arrived for a declaration to be made. There are 5700 members of trades unions in this county, and it is safe to say that not 200 of the membership will vote for McKinley. The sentiment for Bryan is practically unanimous, and is voiced by the resolutions which were adopted at the session held yesterday afternoon.

THE LABOR CONGRESS

Congress was called to order by Arthur Vinette, and in the absence of Chairman C. E. Fisk Mr. Fisher was called to the chair. After the reading of the minutes the credentials of four delegates from the Hotel and Restaurant Employes' Alliance were seated, as follows: P. McNally, William Scheele, W. A. Fink, P. H. Ferguson and Fred Clark. Fred W. Hetz was elected a delegate from the Journeymen Barbers' Union. According to a resolution previously passed, Oscar Hinters retains his seat. The Wigwam committee announced the meeting for Sunday evening. Congress passed a resolution heartily indorsing the Republican state platform passed at Sacramento for the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and called upon all true Republicans to stand by their platform. The following preamble and resolutions, offered by Arthur Vinette, delegate from Carpenters' Union No. 33, were unanimously adopted: Whereas, The American Federation of Labor, the Knights of Labor, the Farmers' alliance and American Railway union have without equivocation declared themselves in favor of the free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 in the United States independent of the consent of other nations, likewise direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum, the government issue of paper money in lieu of the national banks and an income tax; and Whereas, The Democratic and People's party in national convention assembled have incorporated these demands in their platforms, together with a part or the whole of other demands of organized labor, which will curb the power of corporations and nationalize such industries as can no longer be left under full control of individuals, syndicates and trusts; and Whereas, The Republican party, at the St. Louis convention has completely ignored every demand of the associated working people and is now managed and controlled by American tories and oppressors of workingmen, therefore be it Resolved, That we hereby pledge our united support to the champion of the common people, William J. Bryan of Nebraska, for the office of president of the United States. The following resolutions, offered by F. B. Colver, were also unanimously adopted after a brief discussion: Resolved, That we are opposed to a government by injunction, and also to the arrest and imprisonment of our toiling brethren without due process of law and trial by jury. Resolved further, That we denounce all attempts at intimidation and bulldozing now being practiced by trusts, companies and corporations throughout our land to induce workingmen to vote against their convictions. A motion to appoint a committee to address inquiries to city candidates prevailed, and Messrs. Holman, Sonneman and Hetz were also appointed. A committee of three was also appointed to draft an address to the workingmen, giving the names of candidates endorsed by this body. Messrs. Fisk, Vinette and Holman were appointed by the chair. S. E. Fulton, candidate for auditor on the union-fusion ticket, withdrew as a delegate, for the reason that he was ineligible. A vote of thanks was tendered him for the interest he had taken in the congress. The congress then adjourned for two weeks.

LABOR NOTES

Henry D. Lloyd, a millionaire, says that those who have the power to draw the money from the people—from every railroad station, every street car, every fireplace, every salt cellar, every bread-pan, washboard and coalscuttle—to their own safes, have the further incentive to make this money worth the most possible. By contracting the issue of the currency and contracting it again by hoarding it in their banks, safe deposit vaults and the government treasury, they can depress the prices of all that belongs to the people. The 3000 men employed in Jones & McLaughlin's iron works at Pittsburg were requested by the officers of the company to contribute each $1 to the Republican campaign fund. The men unanimously refused to do so after consulting each other. About the time Debs delivered an address at Columbus, Ga., last spring there were about eighty union men in the town, all of whom were railroad men and printers. Today there are over 2000 unionists in the town, with a live central body that has recently been chartered by the A. F. of L. Abraham Lincoln said that capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not previously existed. Labor is the superior of capital and deserves much the higher consideration. Barbers have issued seventeen new charters during the past seven months. Employes of street railways in Plymouth, Eng., work eight hours a day. The city owns the lines and the fare is 2 cents. The Toledo Union, organ of the Central Labor union, says it is rumored that Mark Hanna will be requested to withdraw from the Republican ticket. There are a goodly number of labor union men still left who have not declared in favor of a government by injunction. The official organ of the Detroit workingmen hoists the name of Bryan and Sewall, and Pingree for governor.