Omaha daily bee., 1874-06-03
KICKING A MAN WHEN he Is
DOWN.
Can You Wonder at CrimeF'
How Union Men Treated an Ex-
Convict, Who was Trying to
Become an Honest and a
Better Man.
EDITOR BEE :

EDITOR BEE:
A great deal has been written in
reference TO State Prisons and Pro-
Unions, and it is a very
difficult matter for One of my edu-
cation and abilities to dwell upon.
Ny course through life, especially in
the last year has been very check
cred. but still l strive to hold up my
head and to face society. l would
like you to place this communion
tiion in your valuable columns, If
you thing it proper for the purpose
of bringing before the eyes of the
public, the mean actions exercised
by the Printers Union Of Omaha.
On the LIST day of May, 1873, l
came to the city of Omaha, for the
purpose of engaging in the work OF
painting. As l was a workman OF
no mean order, 1 soon found en-
plovment with the firm of Lehman
& Beard. Several weeks afIerward
/ took to drinking, and while intox-
icated / broke the laws of the State
of Nebraska. / was confined in the
county jairfor the period of forty
DAYS, and after a severe lecture from
the Hon. Judge Lake, was SEN
fenced to one year at hard labor III
the State Prison. l was taken to
that institution and served ten
months and twenty-seven days,
the balance of the year
was allowed by law for good
conduct and was discharged
on last Wednesday morning.
made up my mind to stop drinking
and came to this city for the pur'
pose of trying to be an honest mai
and good citizen. 1 called on my
old employers, and as they kne"
the circumstances of my case the!
offered me work, which l eagerl!
accepted. I worked Wednesda!
and Thursday, and a great man!
times l was abused by these so
called Union me by their mention
ing to strangers that l had just com
out of the State prison. / bore u
under their taunts and trie
l to do what was rlSh'
But they still hampered at me un
; til they saw that it was no use, for
would not notice them. Two yOun
; men i'm the shop took my part an
they were informed by these UhiO
!, men that if they did not join I'll
{ Union they could not work in tn;
l shop in the future; or in oth'
words, they intended to run Messr
t Lehman & Boards business. The
young men did not join the Pain
: ers' Union, and the Union men 50
IL isfied themselves by forming into
! clique for the purpose of thrown
5 me out of employment. In tn
they succeeded for they had
Ii previously resolved that if l W
Is retained in the shop they would
III quit work. How well they play
their little game, for well they kne
of that their employers was rush
with work, and consequently l W
ib discharged. Ihad the promise
ut work all summer by the firm, AM
of might have made myself a respe'
,o able member of society, for 1t "
g. my intention to work right aloI
Is there any wonderat crime, VIII
te societies turn against their o'
Nv comrades, and force them to lea
d. their work, particularly when tn
nd have no means Of support? "
he was willing and strove to please
ey eryone, and to do what was rig
10 now l know not what to do.
ey Hope that you will find room
he this in your paper, and by insert
,r, it you oblige,
ay HARRY MELVILLE BENNETT,
EX-COnvict
Monday June Z, 1874.