Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-22
Address to the WOrkingmen.
ISSUED RY THE WORaINGNEN's NATIONAL
BLAINE AND LoGAN CLUB OF WASH
ISGToN. ID. {.

The great issues OF the pending campaign are IT,
du-tfisl Realizing This Important fact, the " York
iugmeH'- National Blaine and Logan Club, cOmpris
ing in OF the States Of the Union, have
organized for the campaign. We believe that IN
{ bOth Platform and candidates the republican party
present the only hope tor effective action indus
trial questions. The reasons Tor this belief
rloss. Some OF the most prominent are the follow
ing:
!. The platform, aside from the general expires
sion, Tor the elevation Of labor platforms,
pieigrs the party under the incoming adminIstra
ZION the support OF the National Bureau OF Labor
statistics, thu enforcement OF the eght-hOur law, an
adj quate appropriation for a stem OF general edu
cation, and opposition to the impO tation of contract
labor, whether from Europe or Asia. Tn" rejection
by an overwhelming majority OF labor plank from
tine platform OF the natio al democratic party by
setting the republican pledges in clearer relief, can
not but add TO their genuineneSs.
II. Ia the persOus OF the candidates-men who
have each long public record-we have a sufficient
guarantee that tn, = pledges not promises lgh y
made to be as lightly broken, fO=
Ill. While in Congress Mr. Blaine, in both House
and Senate, and Gen. Logan in the Senate, have
been unwayering supporters of eight hour legislation
their votes on numerous occasions having been re
corded in support OF measures arising therefrOm.
~. Near the close OF the Forty fifth Con- ress a
bill was brought up before the Senate abolishing the
government printing office, and providing for let
ting out government printing and binding by con
tract. ms bill found determined opponent in MIR
Blaine, who regarded it insidiOus attempt t.
lower the standard of wages adopted in the dis
tric'.
V. Near the close OF the second session of the
Forty->iXth Congress VT. Blaine introduced
amendment to an appropriation bill plHcing the EN-
poyes OF the government printing office upon an
equality with department clerks by giving to them
the same legal holidays, without reduction of wages,
a. were enjoyed by the clerks. In his speech in be
half of this measure Mr.. Blaine characterized tn
said employees the hardest worked OF all the gov.
eminent employees and that simple honesty and Jus
tice demanded that the privileges should be
corded to them as were enjoyed by those engaged in
clerical labor
=. Mr. BlaiHes earnestness in defending the cause
OF American labor is shown in the stand taken BY
him In the Senate in favor of restricting Chinese
coOiie immigration. For this ne caricatured in
Harpers Weekly, that prominently respectable
sheet having its cultured sen>btie- shocked that
man OF nr Blane's high standing should champion
the cause OF abOring men.
:. Aside from these special instances of sympathy
shown, Mr.. Blaine stands to day the exponent of
that system which best tends 10 render American
labor independent and opposes, in the language of
the platform On which he stands, 1.-THE called
economic system OF the democratic party which
would degrade our labor to the foreign standard"
.aboring man does not need to BE- versed in the
intricaces of economies TO know that mis- position
here i, better than that of laborers abroad. His
knowlcdge-however limited it may be-is practical
rather than theoretical; il has been acquired in the
school OF hard experience, not from the Textbooks
! OF the Classroom.
He sees TIA Iaborers desire to come to America.
not to 90 from it that high priced labor means bet
ter food ana D., liter living Tor the laborer and A
nsstent trade uniOnist feels that 1t would be ogi
cal to oppose the application of his principles 10 oar
national policy lie also that the English
press are outspokrn in their sympathy Tor the dem
ocratc party aud its candidates.
A. workngmen, we are oppD.ed TO the Inaugural
ton OF governmental policy which receives such
warm ehcomisms from our industrial rival-tng-
land
The party which Mr. Blaine rppresents has had the
courage and patriotism to rel' aSe from the com
mercI,l dopc ndcnce which the younger Pitt boosted
he had reconquered. We had struggle with
England for freedom from political ldependence-a
won. We had second struggle 10 secure freedom
on the high >eas-aud won. We are now having
another struggle maintain freedom from CONNER
ciai i pend'nce-and shall win. This time, however
England proposes fighting with frcc-trade ballots
OUT "e have faith in the patriotism of our fellow cit
Ems that they will prove as ineffective as her bull
lets.
aboring men more than all Others, are interested
in the present contest. X will determine whether
/ the policy of this government will be American or
British, whether to egisate for interests
or Engani's needs, whether our tirst shall be
th' prosperity Of our workmen or the rehet of the
distressed Engli-h wOrkmen. This election will de-
eide whether the keynote of the incoming admins
/ tration shall be self-reance or foreign ala CO /,
whether the government shall make the needs of
American industry subservient to or independent of
! foreign importers whether cur flag shall represent
American honor or com nercial greed.
! The quotations from recent English journals,
which we have all lately read have defined the issue
as contribution to the "Cleveland BOOM they will
have an historic interest a reminder of our duty
they have present value they show that far trans
cending all other questions is that Of the Industrial
/ future of our people.
shall we break down the walls within which eight
! hours work is a growing probability, open wide
the gates where it would be impOssibility2 Shall
] y
struggle released from subsection to the British
Crown, shall We by an nglorious surrender, meekiy
acceI the sovereignty of the British trader
Having dehed the throne, shall bow to the
/ shop :
| With Grover Cleveland, the path leads one way /;
with James q. Blaine il leads in the opposite direc-
ton.
! Representing an American policy. have candi-
dates who have, every occasion, in the Halls of
Congress, recorded their votes for hold
/ at heart; candidates who have long since given full
proof of their Intellectual capacity and adminisra.
tive ability, candidates who, by their generous sym.
pa'hy have won the respect and merit the esteem of
/ every industrial worker who hOnors his American
citizenship.
ON the other side have candidate offered US
still in the apprenticeship of State craft of whose
capabilities no proof has been given a candidate
who came from obscurity bya political accident, and
who has already proved political disapp ntment
candidate whose lack of sympathy with Us is shown
/ IN the fact that he finds his varmest eulogists
abroad and his bitterest enemies the trade organ
! zatlons OF his own state.
Can We workiugmen-as American citizens
proud of our industrial development and hopeful Of its
uture-do aught else than support the candidates so
/ well known for their staunch Americansm, ,Jame.
! Il. Blaine and John A. Logan. To the sorSingmeu
OF every State We appeal-not as republicans. but a.
fellow laborers-to follow example and oryanfze
! for the campaign to elect President from whom
none need fear a series of Labor yetoes"
JOHN II. PATERSON, y. Y, President
ID. j. MUM, Pa, Secretary.