Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-05-10
LABOR POLITICS.
The Workingmen In the Politi-
cal Field-The Race for the
Legislature.

the condition OF the workingman, and
the securing of the laws necessary to &C.
complish that end. The association re-
undated ANYTHING and everything OF a
socialistic or communistic character, and
proposed to carry its points at the bal
LOT box. 1t was announced that a ucket
might be put in the field The coming
fall, or at least, that they proposed AK
ing an active part in the fall campaign,
especially as related TO the legislative
ticket.
But up to this time, nothing has
been definitely heard from them. Ii
was whispered that a caucus was In
session ON Friday night and several
prominent Workingmen were seen
busily circulating about, as though
something were in the wind. One OF
them was approached by a representa-
tive of the RnGIsrKR, but he knew moth
ing of il. lie was going, out q irlenu
was TO take hint was very secret
On Saturday afternoon, the scribe
noticed two men, both prominent IN
labor circles, in confabulation and he
immediately made their company a
crowd. In response To his enquiry al
what the Workingmen were doing, In a
political way, n said:
1--WE are lar from being dead, however
We NAV seem. Our programme is all
mapped out, and will be developed IN
time.
apo you purpose putting a regular
ticket in the field
"Not vet. We are trying to become
represented on the regular ticket.
with what success
"Wel!, the Republicans have n
w~orkinenan on their ticket-Fred.
Goodiellow, for Legislature-and expect
10 put another on.
And are you going to attach to the
Republican party
That depends entirely upon what
the Democrats will do for us.
"What do you know OF Democratic in
tentions in that regardr
'It's a little early to know anything
vet. but certain persons in charge OF the
slate saw the intention is To represent
us. But We can tell better further
along
Shortly after leaving this group the
reporter encountered a prominent Dem
ocrat. and, with a view to getting his
sentiments, related the above converse
ton. He said, very confidently:
rThe Republican ticket will get the
votes OF but few w~orkingmen, pander to
them as il may. The whole policy OF
that party has been %anti-labor, until Re
nublicanism has become a synonym for
legislation for the rich and against the
poor. What is its record on the bond
and banking system? On the other
hand, the Democratic party has been
the party of the laboring men, leglsla-
ting against monopOlies as opposed to
the interests OF the poor. DO YOU sup
pose for an instant the w~Orkingman is
going 10 sting the hand that feeds him
by voting for Republicans under such a
pretence and be caught by such a snare?
No, sir"
But ifthey put up Goodfellow -
"Heu be beaten out of his boots be-
fore the people. lie will take the field
with the prestige OF a defeat in rs, and
we'll repeat the dose?'
"Bnt ii the workingmen vote solldior
him
"But they won't
"rhey say they uiH Tor some one
who will represent their interests.
Have YOU heard of any talk among
Democrats ui putting a nottingham on
their Legislature ticket"
81 have heard no little talk on that
very subject and have heard the name
of Samuel A. kepner mentioned as the
probable man. lie has all the requisites
and will be a satisfactory candidate all
around. lie is a workingman and is
president OF their association. lie IS a
Democrat in the best standing and a
man of known Intelligence. lie is one
| nave heard mentioned.
"Wellf"
''Then | have heard Robert Marshall
very freely spoken OF by the working
men Democrats and endorsed by others.
lie is in sympathy with the labor inter
est and was spoken ui as a possible can
didate, on the labor ticket, for prosecu'
ting attorney.
''Then it's your opinion the Republi-
cans cannot ring 4 maj into he House
of Delegates on the labor question:
''It,certainly is, II labor, as labor, Is
to be represented, the Democratic party
will DO il. And there is another and
an important point to be considered.
Weare now on the eve OF a Presidential
election, and it is admitted by all that
the coming campaign will be the great
est political strife this country has ever
experienced. There are no odds ON
either side, and the victory will
he the result of hard work. Every vote
will be guarded and party lines will be
tense and rigid. Scratching tickets will be
but little seen. As a result Of all this, Dem
oCratic workingmen will vote the Dem
ocratic ticket and Republicans the same
way. And as far as the Legislation ticket
is concerned, there is another considera-
ton, beyond all this. A United States
Senator TO succeed Hereford will be
elected by the next Legislature and
though the state is 'hoPelessly Demo
cratic, every intelligent voter will cast
his ballot sccordlngly.'
And the interviewed rubbed his hands
contentedly together.