The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-27
GOSSIP ABOUT THE PARTIES.
A Comparison Of the Labor Records of
Roger R. Shiel and JOhnJ. Cooper.
The Preparations for General LOgans Tour
of Indiana-SOme Pertinent Remarks
to COlored VOters-NOtes

instigated by the Democratic candidate for
Treasurer, with the hope of gaining few votes,
have become UNANIMOUSLY malicious. The Sian
ders are being given a wide circulation, and al
though the charges have been proven false by
the sworn testimony of number of the most
reputable workingmen in the city, they are be-
ing reiterated almost daily in the Democratic
newspapers of the State. In consequence, there
are some people who do not know the truth in
relation to the matter, that are likely to be mis-
led In addition to the afidavits indicating
Mr. Shiel which have already been published,
the following statement is voluntarily furnished
by Mr. L. P Custer, telegraph operator, who
tells how the contemplate ISLANDERS were insti-
gated
In making this statement do so believing that the
Democratic nominee for State Treasurer and his
friends using few operators tools in his
upon Mr. Shiel and have cometo the conclusion to no
longer allow myself be party such INSCRIPTIONS
methods, knowing as do, that such methods are
being used to defeat the Republican nominee Mr. Shiel
make this statement wholly of my volition, and
without the hope of reward in any shape OF form.
had heard so much of Mr.. Shel Immediately
after the operators strike of 1888 and since then up
to the time of his nomination, that really believed
the operators had real grievance against him and al
lowed myself to be brought in party against him,
but so far L am individually concerned never
anything wrong upon the part of Mr.. Shel. was at
the courthouse at the time of the meeting there in
the interest of the operators and at that time thought
Mr. Shel nterfered unnecessarily with the business Of
the meeting by claiming that the meeting was
Board of Trade meeting, but as the
meeting advertised as such he right far
that was concerned. Outside of this never, during
the time the strike lasted, saw or knew of anything
Mr.. Shiel did toward assisting the Western Union al
though was striker from the first to the last day,
and among the strikers most of the time through
formed upoP all points ' of the Strike and if he r
ShieD had been interested in securing operators
surely would have known it. In fact heard very
little talk concerning him until after the Board of
Trade meeting. His action at that meeting must
lave been the cause for complaint.
10 further convince me that g9nserupul9us means
thing 1a@t caused to change my convictions was,
operator, and of the leaders of this boycott
came to me and asked me if l knew anything against
Rhody Shel Says he: He is going to have an inves,
legation made, and must have something against
him, or words to this effect told him knew moth
ring against Mr. Shie than what occurred at the
courthouse. He then left and sought information
from Others What information he received know
not but this importuning me for information led me
to believe that he had real foundation for the
charges which had already been printed in the Labor
Signal ost... f., d.,. ,.+. 10 cam. mo with snh
scription list and asked to put my down for
certain amount, saying: You don't need to pay any
money, but just give me your name says he. 'sThey
say the Democrats are paying for the extra 10000
Labor Signals that being distributed throughout
,counteract that statement or words TO that effect.
signed this list for four three dollars but, he
said have never been asked to pay the money did
mot take second thought about this thing until
read in the Labor Signal that they could ada
Wits that the money for the extra Labor Signals
subscribed IyS the operators. The money was sub
scrbed but was it paid by the operators? So far as
concerned, never gave a cent for this campaign
against Mr.. Shiel. As my is near the head of
the list, believe l would have been called upon to
contribute had others done This is what de.
nounce as unscrupuous methods, and why believe
the Democratic managers using few of the oper
ators cudgels to beat Mr. Shel and therefore don't
propose to be party thereto longer
Had the boys any real grievance against Mr.. Shiel
and carried their in legitimate and honorable
manner would cut my right hand off before would
Jetray them, out when they league themselves with
the Democrats to wage unholy warfare upon
who, by their confession, they have real and
substantial grievance against, l ready to cry
enough and stand upon this principle, come what
may.
Another thing that influences me in this matter
disposed to believe Mr. Waliick and Mr.. Bntler
when they say that Mr. Shiel had part whatever in
assisting the company during the strike This, claim,
is convincing, and spurs on to my duty to my
selfrespect and to the party owe allegiance to.
L. P. CUSTER.
Further testimony in relation to the malicious
ISLANDERS is given by Mr. L. P. Mccormack,
member of the indianapolis Typographical
Union who confesses that he was at first bitterly
prejudiced against Mr.. Shiel, but after investi-
eating the charges, refused to sign the report of
the report of the committee appointed by the
Indianapolis Trades Assembly, for the reason,
as he states, tkat he believed 'the whole matter,
from the submission of the original charges to
to the final report of the committee, was polit-
ical scheme in the interest of and paid for by
John J. Cooper, without any reference to the
welfare of labor" Mr. Mccormack voluntarily
furnishes the following statements
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 25, 1854
have been so frequently mportuned to give to the
public the why refused to sign the report Of
the committee appointed by the Indianapolis Trades
Assembly to investigate the charges against Mr.. r. r.
Shie in which they confirmed the previous action of
the Assembly, that feel justified in the following
statement:
These charges were: First-That Mr. Shiel opposed
house in this city on July 26, 1888 Second-That
he imported operators to take the places made
by the strikers. Third-That he opposed the strikers
at the Board of Trade meeting on July 81 1888 when
measures We're being discussed looking to arbitra-
ton of the differences between the strikers and the
Western Union Telegraph Company.
AS to the first charge, Mr.. w. W. Woollen, editorial
writer for the Indianapolis Sentinel Democratic State
Organ) who president of the citizens meeting de-
elared to me personally that Mr. Shells speeches and
actions proved conclusively that he in full sym
Iathy with the strikers and that other interpreta
ton of his conduct could be justly made.
Judge Lamb chairman of the committee on resolu-
tons st the citizens meeting fully concurred in Mr..
Woollen's statements
Concerning the second charge Messrs John F.
Wallick and NJ ID Butler, superintendent and mana
ger of the Western Union Telegraph Company, testi
fed that the statement was untrue.
As to his alleged hostile action at the meeting of
the Board Of Trade, evidence was offered to the
committee to prove the charge while members of the
Board say that Mr.. Shiel was not at the Board of
Trade meeting that OCCASION and therefore could
not be guilty as charged
There not word of evidence submitted to
the committee which, in my Judgment, would Justify
verdict of guilty In fact testimony, other than
theoretical and supposititous given to the com
mittee for consideration. Politically the committee
consisted of three Democrats and two Nationals. |
believe the whole matter, from the submission of the
original charges to the final report of the committee
political scheme in the interest of and paid for
by John ]. Cooper without any reference to the well
fare of labor
confess to having at first been bitterly preiudced
against Mr.. SLel but the failure of his enemies to
produce any proof of his guilt has dissipated that
prejudice. notwithstanding the fact he is Republican
and National L. P. MCCORMACK, Printer
No 1853 West First street.