Lauren+W.+-+PA+-+SP10

= = **Samuel Gompers ** Occupation: Apprentice Shoemaker, Cigar Maker, President of CMIU (Cigarmakers’ International Union) Local 144 in NYC, President of American Federation of Labor.  Position On The Issue: I oppose the annexation of both the Philippines and Hawaii, arguing that this constituted imperialism and would lead to an influx in cheap labor. I also fought religiously for the rights of labor workers and believed that all workers should form together into a single unit and become one powerful force to fight for the rights of labor workers.  Reasons For Interest: I have always believed that the mistreatment of labor workers and the low wages that they were paid for the hard work was completely wrong. I believed that workers should be given higher wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. After I was appointed the first president of the American Federation of Labor the issue of the annexation of the Philippines was brought to my attention. I was completely against the annexation of the Philippines because this would lead to an influx in cheap labor. These people would be taken advantage of and I could certainly not let this happen.   "Samuel Gompers (1850-1924)". AFL-CIO. March 29, 2010 .  "Samuel Gompers". Absolute Astronomy. March 29, 2010 . <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"Samuel Gompers". Travel & History. March 29, 2010 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1747.html>.