The Labor enquirer., 1883-10-27
oUR COMMON ENEMY.


While it is not the desire of all work
ingmen to go into, politics at all times,
and while trades unionists are opposed
to political action as organizations, yet
it is admitted by the most non-political
workingman that when their interests
are assailed, when a man or syndicate
known to be in direct opposition to their
welfare asks their support at the polls of
pet scheme, it is not only their right
but duty to take united action against
the common enemy.
l have no wish nor is it necessary at
this time to open up the question as to
whether trades unions should seek
redress and support at the polls. The
case we'have on hand at present is not
subject to that argument. 1t is one in
which there can be no question of our
duty as workingmen-organized or other
wise.
Jerome B. Chaffee, a man who is
known to be in direct opposition to the
interests OF laboring men, a man who
placed himself on record one year ago as
antagonistic to the interests of working
men, man to whom, his agents have
said "the workingmen are matter of
supreme indifference" leaves the splen-
dors of his New York mansion, built of
the sweat of Colorados laborers, and
sojourns in the city of Denver for short
time for the express purpose of attempt
ing to show us, the builders-up of this
great city, that he can and will dictate
who the chief officer of the county shall
be- He comes here, l say, and struts the
streets of this city, in which he has not
one dollar interest, with his hands in his
pockets jingling the gold with which he
thinks to buy votes enough to carry out
his pet scheme.
Every workingman in this city knows
that Chaffee hopes to win a victory
through the medium of purchased votes.
Whose vote, ask you, does he calculate
he can buy? Is it the rich mans? No.,
you know it is not. 1t is the poor mans,
the hardworking man, whose income is
barely sufficient to keep the wolf from
the door ga e ~.
This stempter with his gold, comes
among us, and says, these poor devils are
hard up; they have no direct interest in
who is sheriff of Arapahoe county; l will
give them the means to live better dor a
few days and they will vote, as / ask.
The relief will only be temporary, and
by the time of another election they will
be as bad off as before l came, if not
worse.
This serpent reckons without his host.
In his high worldly position the aristo-
crat forgets that honesty, principle and
manhood are the priced gems of the poor
mans humble life. He apparently does
not know that it is the possession of
these qualities-so rare in the rich man
that makes the toilers of earth submit
to til" unjust systems which condemn,
them to life of servitude in a land of
plenty. 60 -
Mr.. Chafee, the New York millionaire
does not appear to know this; but we,
the poor and lowly, do and we should
keenly feel the insults heaped upon us
by this arrogant money bags who struts
our streets and inspects the honest chill hi
dren of a poor mans God whom he
expects to buy as he would a herd of
cattle or drove of hogs.
say that we should at this time ignore
party lines, should forget that we were
ever republicans or democrats and march
manfully up and cast ballot which will