The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-08-30
BLAINE AS a MINE OWNER.
He is Denounced by LabOrers in tn
Employ of His Corporation.


Fifteen wears ago Henry Richards, brass
moulder, who was born and brought up IN the
Eleventh ward, left New York and went West.
He made circuit of the continent, and finally
settled down in one of the most prominent
manufacturing towns of Pennsylvania. de
built FOR himself home, and his horny hands
show that he had to bear the burden of labor
He was with President Arthur when he went
through the Yellowstone Park. de was the
leading guide. He knew every portion OF the
park, and pointed out to the President and
the members Of his party all the points OF IN
terest Mr.. Richards arrived in this city re,
Gently. Within few minutes of his arrival
he picked up paper containing Mr. Blalne,s
| letter. He read the letter through, and,
| throwing down the paper, said:
! ''He is a fine man to talk about protecting
labor. He is the most oppressive employer
| in this country He claims that he Is an
anti monopolist. As matter of fact he has
been monopolist all his life. Whenever op,,
portunity offered he used his position and
influence to crush labor and labor aspira-
| tons"
siPIease give the Details said bystander,
who announced that he had made up his mind
to vote for blaine, and declared that it would
require very forcible argument to persuade
him to vote the other ticket.
81 am laboring man, as you can see,
said Mr. Richards, showing his hands,, and
| know whereof speak. | left this town al
most fifteen years ago, and | have been away
| since. | have been all through the country.
Ny home is in town in Pennsylvania.
have had ample opportunity to ascertain the
condition of laborers in the states in which
| have lived during the past few years. In
| Pennsylvania and in parts of Virginia Mr.
Blaine, the Republican candidate for Presi-
dent has large interest in coal and iron
mines and railroads that run through the
country in which these mines are located.
Steve Elkins the manager of his campaign, is
associated with him in nearly all his specula-
tive enterprises. They run their properties
on the principle 10 Irishmen or intelligent
mechanic need apply for employment"
''What do you mean by that y
'sSimply this: In the mines that Blaine an
Elkins control, whether in Virginia or Penn
sylvana, the laborers are almost slaves. An
Irishman cannot get employment A skilled
mechanic will not be given work. There is a
pronounced prejudice against the Irish, and |
| believe. that prejudice comes from Blaine per-
sonally."
"What labor do they employ in theirmines?'
the reporter asked.
| ssThey take Scandinavians and Italians,
who work for them for from 60 to 65 cents a
day-hardly enough to keep body and soul
together. Blaine employs pauper labor in
his mines. He will employ anybody who
will consent to work for 90 or 65 cents, which
he has often said he regards as fair remun-
Grafton for days work. We think other
wise, and on account of his tyrannical man.
agement of his properties and his persistent
| refusal to employ Irishmen or other skilled
laborers we are against him. He has brought
into the country pauper labor from Norway
and Sweden and Italy, and active, skilled
! native mechanics have no chance to compete.
| He trades on the idea that the Irish are poor
and ignorant. But there is great deal OF
Intelligence even among Irish laborers. 1t
would certainly astonish you to see the intel
ligence of some of the men who come out of
! the mines dusky and black. They are hon
est and they have no sympathy with man
like Blaine, who wants to crush them, and
has made every possible effort to crush them
| in the mining districts in which he has an in
terest.
81 belong to the labor party. propose to
stand by the laborers, and while | am here |
| intend to tell the laborers that Blaine is no
friend of theirs, and that he is not friend OF
the Irish either He does not believe in the
Irish or any skilled workingmen. He wants
Scandinavians or Italians or Cinnamon who
will work for 60 cents day. How in Gods
name is n man to live on that? | know
| Blaine. L have worked Tor nm. L know
what was paid for my labor-a miserable
pittance-and propose to do all in my power
to oppose Blaine. l am going to vote for
Cleveland. He has proved himselfa friend
of the workingmen and he deserves their
support.
t'What is the feeling in the districts in
which you have been lately?''
SIN the mining regions of Virginia and
| Pennsylvania there is decided opposition to
Blaine. Not one laboring man in a thousand
will vote for him. He is unworthy of their
support. He has been a monopolist all his
life. He is a monopolist now, and ever will
be. He considers that sixty cents is fair re-
muneration for days work in the mines,
and when he cannot get men to work at that
rate he imports paupers, who will work for
almost anything. ''-Nep York World.
AS far as the West Virginia mines are con
cerned Senator Henry Davis says Mr.. Blaine
has had no voice in the control.