The American Federation of Labor and the Western Federation of Miners yesterday made advances, in public, toward co-operation. On the side of the Western Federation of Miners was E. C. Copley of the miners' executive board. On the other hand was Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, backed by the applause of something like 400 delegates assembled in convention in Lyric Hall.
A special order was made for the forenoon to welcome Copley. The proceedings in that regard were brief but weighty with significance of what might be implied. The convention had been going some little time when Copley was greeted. In the interim the delegates had listened to remarks, largely by socialistic delegates, regarding the attitude of federated labor to the militia of the several states.
An exchange of doubtful courtesies between those who oppose socialism and those who favor socialism had taken place. Then Copley was escorted to the platform by one of the vice presidents of the convention and was introduced by President Gompers. He at once began his address.
If there had been any idea that Copley would speak violently or with any degree of fierceness about the recent happenings in Colorado such was speedily dissipated. The text of his speech is as follows:
Brother President and Delegates of the American Federation of Labor: It gives me the deepest pleasure at this time to appear before this body. I see among the delegates in this convention those with whom I have been in conventions in previous years, when affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. It gives me pleasure at this time to renew those associations. Briefly I wish to say that I am gratified to be extended the courtesy of the floor of this convention for just a moment, to thank the officers and members of the American Federation of Labor and the affiliated unions for the support, financial and moral, that has been extended to the Western Federation of Miners so nobly during their struggle in Colorado.
I do not believe it wise or necessary to take up your time with an extended statement or detail of the conditions in Colorado, as they have been in the last year and a half, as I know that this convention has much business to attend to and does not care to be bothered with that sort of thing, and most of you are somewhat, if not well posted, upon the conditions that have prevailed.
I will say only that at this time in Colorado the complexion of things has changed somewhat. As a result of organization and effort our esteemed Governor Peabody has been relegated to the rear. We hope that the incoming incumbent, who has twice been Governor of Colorado, will give us a fair and just administration. That is all that organized labor asks for, in Colorado as elsewhere. I am in your city to explain thoroughly and in detail the conditions that have applied in Colorado and that led up to this struggle in Colorado. But unfortunately I shall be unable to do that while the delegates to this convention are in the city, not being able to procure a suitable building at an earlier date, I have had to make the date of that lecture the 4th of December.
As is well know by most of the delegates to the American Federation of Labor my organization, the Western Federation of Miners, is not affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. I want to say to you that as a member of the executive board of the Western Federation for the last two years it has been one of my pleasures to further as far as possible an affiliation with this body. This fact is known by delegates in this convention. I believe that there is room in this great country for only one great federation of labor. Believing that, it then follows that it is my duty and the duty, I believe, of every other member of whatsoever organization he may belong to, to use his efforts in that direction.
I believe that under the present systematized procedure of organized capital it is necessary, that the time has arrived in this country when it is absolutely necessary for all organizations or all union men to be under but one head, to stand solidly together and to proceed as one body. Therefore, as I say, I have used my influence as a member of the executive board of the Western Federation of Miners in that direction. I hope that the time is not far distant when the union men of this great country will all be under the same tent, so to speak.
Now, brothers, I do not wish to take up any more of your time; I do not think it wise. You have your business to attend to. I am thankful, as I said, for the opportunity to address you, for the courtesy of the floor, and I hope that the deliberations of this convention will be such that will bring about changes, the necessary beneficial changes to all organized labor. God speed your convention, and may you succeed beyond your expectations in the benefits that you expect to accrue to organized labor as the result of your efforts. I thank you.
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