Hellraisers Journal, Saturday September 29, 1906
Chicago, Illinois – Report from I. W. W. Convention
From the Appeal to Reason, a first-hand account of the Second Annual Convention of the Industrial Workers of the World:
THE I. W. W. IN SESSION
—–
Industrial Unionism Shows Itself to
Be a Virile Infant at Second
Annual Convention.
—–by F. M. EASTWOOD,
Special Representative APPEAL TO REASON.
—–
CHICAGO. ILL., Sept. 20.-The second annual convention of The Industrial Workers of the World convened in this city September 17th, at 10 o’clock a. m., and is still in session.
The presence of factions has delayed the progress of the convention from the beginning but at this time all credential contests have been disposed of with the exception of that of the transportation department, which now is pending.
All delegates from the metal and machinery department have been seated, including those from the locals and the representative from the departmental organizations. Greetings were received Tuesday morning from Eugene V. Debs, in Pennsylvania, and from others; and on the 19th the convention sent a message of cheer to Comrades Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone.
The Industrial Workers of the World is an infant in years, but full of the vigor and revolutionary convictions that will defy the machinations of mere politicians and place hunters. This virile quality of the membership, as represented at the convention, and the fact that the organization, is, as yet, comparatively crude, account satisfactorily for the turbulence of the present meeting. The jealousy with which the delegates guard the power placed in their hands shows that the American labor movement has profited by dearly bought experience and has forever laid autocratic leadership on the shelf.
While the I. W. W. has a stupendous task before it in the matter of getting its growing membership into fighting form, the indications are that this work is being accomplished with all the rapidity consistent with the upbuilding of a democratically controlled organization.
There is no doubt that at present there are elements in the organization that will sooner or later leave the I. W. W. for its good. There are would be dictators who will have to abdicate as soon as the rank and file are prepared to give attention to their cases. The purifying process may begin with the present convention or it may be deferred to later meetings; but there is no doubt, judging from the temper of the men on the floor of this convention, that the work will be done in its own time, whether now or later.
There are 135 delegates in attendance, representing 435 locals with a membership of between 62,000 and 63,000. When the national organization was formed, previous to the accession of the Western Federation of Miners, it started with 52 locals and a membership of only 1,205. This growth of over 500 per cent in membership is certainly encouraging to the friends of industrial unionism.
It would be folly to say that the I. W. W. as now constituted is all that could be desired, but it is not an exaggeration to assert that the I. W. W. is the nucleus of the industrial organization that will take an indispensable part in the coming Social Revolution.
One feature alone of the present organization is to be regretted by Socialist. That is the tendency to belittle, if not to repudiate, political action. It is not pertinent to discuss in this report the relative merits of the ballot and the general strike; but it is a fact that many members of the present convention refer with contempt to the “political Socialists” and put the greater part of their faith in the “general strike”. It is to be hoped they will learn better.
The convention probably will be in session for from six to ten days longer, as the vast amount of business to be transacted has scarcely been touched. The real work of the body is yet to be taken up, and it promises results that will be of profound interest to every member of the working class.
—–
[I. W.W. Union Label added.]
During the afternoon session of September 25th, the following greeting from William D. Haywood was read to the delegates:
Ada County Jail,
Boise, Idaho, Sept. 17, 1906.To the Officers and Delegates of the Second Annual Convention of the Industrial Workers of the World.
Comrades and Fellow Workers:—While you have been in convention today I have devoted the hours to a careful review of the proceedings of the initial convention of the I. W. W. and of the conference that issued the Manifesto leading up to the formation of the organization, which has inspired and rekindled the smouldering fire of ambition and hope in the breasts of the working class of this continent.
With ever-increasing volume the workers throughout the country are resounding the paean of economic freedom, which rang out so clear in the Manifesto. It is a document that should be perpetuated by reading it at each recurring convention of the Industrial Workers of the World. With its salient truth as a corner stone, with our Preamble as a guiding star, no matter which way we go, which way we build, every effort will strengthen and augment the battlements and forces of the working class.
What magnificent results have been accomplished in a brief fifteen months. The organization has been on a continuous march onward and upward; there has never been a retreat or a backward step. Throughout the West there has been a number of strikes of a more or less serious nature, but in every instance a victory has been recorded for the Industrial Workers of the World. The Department of Mining Industry, the Western Federation of Miners, was never in more flourishing condition; the membership is rapidly increasing; but better than aught else is the fact that we are coming to a closer, keener realization of the ultimate purpose of the I. W. W., and while we may not be as scientific in our deductions or as methodical and tactful in our endeavors, still in our rough and tumble way we will manage to keep in the van of organized labor. And when the day of emancipation comes, the miners will be at the post to furnish material for the Workers of the World.
We are beginning to recognize our importance as the primary element in the development of civilization. From the raw material that we produce, the coal, iron, lead, copper, zinc, cobalt and tin, are made and perfected the tools and instruments of the artisan and scientist. The miner has been the stepping stone of human achievement from the age of the stone implement, the plow of a crooked stick, the breech clout garb, to the inventions and innovations of modern society. We have depleted the store house of mother earth at a frightful cost to ourselves. The hazardous nature of our occupation under the system of capitalism is more merciless than the carnage of war. We demand a complete and proper recognition of our service to society, a full equivalent for the product of our toil. This we can secure not only to ourselves but the entire working class by an industrial government. To quote from my letter to the Fourteenth Annual Convention of the Western Federation of Miners
Organized industrially, united politically, labor will assume grace and dignity, horny hands and busy brain will be the badge of distinction and honor, all humanity will be free from bondage, a fraternal brotherhood imbued with the spirit of independence and freedom, tempered with the sentiments of justice and love of order; such will be the co-operative commonwealth, the goal, the aspiration of the Industrial Workers of the World.
Tis the spirit and the letter of the Manifesto and the Preamble, the corner stone and guiding star. There can be no more splendid incentive for energetic work. The first year’s accomplishment is grand. But we can do better. Let us redouble our efforts. Every man, every woman can help to organize the working class for industrial liberty. May I suggest that it would be a good plan to elect at this Convention a Committee on Constitution composed of one from each department to frame provisions and such suggestions as the requirements of the organization are sure to develop during the ensuing year? Experience teaches us that changes and amendments initiated in convention without previous careful deliberation are not always good. A general discussion of necessary rules would enable such a committee to submit a report of stability and permanent advantage.
I have written more than I intended; my purpose in writing at all at this time was not to make suggestions, but to extend to the officers, to the delegates and through them to their respective unions our profound thanks for the splendid support tendered us in our hour of tribulation.
‘Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage.’Our hearts are with you. A little temporary confinement can neither break our health or spirit. Justice must prevail and we will be with you in the Third Annual Convention of the I. W. W.
I am yours for the right to work for ourselves, when and where we please.
Wm. D. Haywood.
———-
The Convention responds to Haywood’s message:
The reading of the telegrams and letter was received with applause.
DEL. SCHWEINBURG: I move you, Mr. Chairman, that this inspiring document by William D. Haywood be sent to all working class papers throughout the country for publication.
Motion seconded and carried unanimously.
DEL. GOLDBERG: I move to call for three cheers for Bro. Haywood.
SEC. TRAUTMANN: And the others.
DEL. AUGUSTINE: I move that we give three cheers for the prisoners [Moyer, Haywood, and Pettibone] in the Ada County jail.The motion was seconded and unanimously carried and the three cheers were given.
SOURCES
Appeal to Reason
(Girard, Kansas)
-Sept 29, 1906
https://www.newspapers.com/image/66994529/
Proceedings of the Second Annual Convention
-of the Industrial Workers of the World
Chicago, Illinois, Sept 17-Oct 3, 1906
IWW, 1906
https://books.google.com/books?id=vQlQAAAAYAAJ
Afternoon Session-September 25
https://books.google.com/books/reader?id=vQlQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&source=gbs_atb&pg=GBS.PA32
Greetings from Haywood
https://books.google.com/books/reader?id=vQlQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&source=gbs_atb&pg=GBS.PA41
IMAGES
IWW Label, 2nd Conv, Sept 17-Oct 3, 1906
https://books.google.com/books/reader?id=vQlQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&source=gbs_atb&pg=GBS.PA3
HMP, Moyer Haywood Pettibone, ab 1906
pdf! http://darrow.law.umn.edu/documents/Wilshire_Mag.pdf
http://darrow.law.umn.edu/photo.php?pid=777
IWW Constitution and By-Laws, 1905
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015079028836;page=root;view=image;size=75;seq=1;orient=0
See also:
Industrial Union Manifesto
Issued by Conference of Industrial Unionists
-at Chicago, January 2, 3 and 4, 1905
http://www.iww.org/history/library/iww/industrial_union_manifesto
Hellraisers Journal: The Original Preamble and Constitution of the Industrial Workers of the World
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/11/6/1445210/-Hellraisers-Journal-The-Original-Preamble-and-Constitution-of-the-Industrial-Workers-of-the-World