The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-06-14
Hon. ". N. Rapsher,. Candidacy.

Hon. W. M. Rapsher's Candidacy,
LLNsroRD, June 10th, 1884.
EDifoR OF THE ADvockTE-Dsa Sir; In
your valuable paper Of last week saw that
Mr.. W. NJ. Rapsher, Of Lehighton, offers
himself as a candidate for the Legislature
al the next fall election. felt at the time
that this was lust the man We war ted, but
thought no more about the subject until
Monday morning, when met some miners
from this region over in Tamaqua, and we
began to talk among ourselves about the
chances Of next election. Some Of the men
are not long enough here TO know much
about Mr.. Rapsher; 30 told them oil
knew. told them about his having been
left without a father at ten years of age
without penny In the world, and with
sll the responsibilities of supporting his
mother and his bfothers and sisters; how
he worked away and between times got
himself a commo school education; how
he Joined the army aud stay ed 10 il until
the end Of the war, earning the reputation
OF a brave soldier, and by his integrity and
capacity gaining the esteem and friendship
Of his officers and contradict Ny friends
wanted to know mere about him, so told
them how he went to college and got ad-
mitted to the bar, paying his way by teach
Ing school and other work at off times.
then told them how he was cent to the
Legislature in 1877, when E. Reed Meyer
was Speaker Of the Lower House and John
F. HarttatIt was Governor of the State
As we all reiheinber well Mr.. Rapsher be
came in short time an acknowledged
leader. Among other valuable measures
he introduced Jlll 10 indemnify the coun-
ties for the expense Of the Mollic Mcguire
trials. His speech on that occasion was
marked by great eloquence and power and
brought him prominently before the public
mind The bill passed the Assembly, tut
was unfortunately defeated by a few votes
in the Senate. Mr.. Rapsher then took an
ective part in passing the Mechanics Lien
bill by which builders and mechanics gain
the great privilege of having the rst claim
upon the buildings they are engaged on.
lie then exerted himself in urging on bill
to protect more carefully the wages of all
classes of laborers. This important measure
interested him ihote than any Of the others.
He spared neither time, labor nor skill, hut
without success in a Republican House.
The next great measure for which he used
his powerful advocacy was that for the di.
vision Of LuEerne county into the present
counties of Luscrne and LacRawanna. HIS
influence upon this occasion was one Of the
active causes that carried the Till success
fully through all difficulties.
During his ehort term at Harrisburg Mr
Rapsher tyas prominent metnber of fou-
Of the most important committees to which
a private member could be appointed; two
judiciary committees, one on constitutional
reform and one on labor and Industry The
last one, may add was THAT to which
he gave his most untiring energy aud de.
Totion. All who know W. NJ. Rarcher
know that his interest in labor and the
working classes is hot mere lip service.
from the tongue outwards. 1t is an inter
est which arises from personal experience
OF the iarts and from the profound SYM
pathy which a generous and high. minded
man must always entertain for those of his
oppressed fellows LETT struggling in that
ditch from which he himself managed
with such difficulty TO escape. In private
or IN publit life, at home, on the street, or
in the court room W. NJ. Rapsher is always
and everywhere the poor mans friend
There is not one partisle of sham about him
He is good laHyefj an excellent speaker,
a reliable friendi a bitter enemy, ar honor
able man and first class Democrat.
Now ami afraid, Mr.. Editor, that you
will have some trouble with my grammar
and spelling but don't mind that. Just pu!
il down as / write it, rs the facts are oil
right, and that is the main thing.
One word more. When told i1y friends
all that knew myself about Rapsher il
was nearly time for the train, and as we
walked down to the depot we all agreed
that Rapshct was the man for Lapslord,
anyhow He is worth a whole cartload Of
the so-called legislators who Tor the past
FIVE years or more have been sent to mis-
represent this coutIty in the State Leglsla-
ture, and l lam cohfdent that he will haye
a walk over at the next election. Iremain;
Mr.. Editor,
Your ve:y obedieht servant,