davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

The Rocky Mountain Herald has re-
appeared with another name at its muz-
zle-such a thing hasn't head. 1t
hardly seemed possible that such min
compoopish affair as the Herald has
been for the past five years-the extent
of my acquaintance-could become more
worthless, but it appears the fates had
reserved the distinguished honor of per-
fected imbecility for one Henry T. Col
lins, a creature specially noted for what
he doesn't know. The abortion known
as the Rocky Mountain Herald came
skulking into this Office before the sun
was up one day this week, laboring under
its load of "plates" and patents" The
salutatory, which, by the way, was not
written by the talented Mr.. (Tom)
Collins, was pitlful in the extreme. The
fellow who wrote it ought to have it set
to music as a. Chinese requiem. There
wes one, thing in the "Old Reliable"
which 1 feel deserves particular mention
from THE LABOR ENQUIRER, it being the
exponent of organized labor. The ar
ticle in question ls from a 'plate" and
has been spoken of in these columns
before. 1t occupies the post of honor on
the first page of the Herald The first
sentence is, Trades unions are despotic." "
How do you like the ring of that SEN
tence, you members of Typographical
Union No. 40? You have been humanely
blind to the ignorance and incompe-
tency of this lost "Tom' and have per-
mitted him to obtain his salt under the
protection of your wing, How do you
relish his expression of gratitude?
suggest that you read this abuse OF
trades unions. There is no excuse for
this insult in the fact that the article
was purchased in "plate" instead OF
being set in Mr.. Collins union" Office.
Such an apology would but add insult to
injury. Collins name s4huld be erased
from the respectable list of the union,
and when he has to descend" from the
editorial chair to the case, let him swing
in with the cheap tyros-where he be-
longs. 1 have not the slightest shadow
of respect or charity for the person who
is union man with scrupulous fidelity
while he is a journeyman, but becomes
'1iberar as proprietor. A man that
cannot "run" an Office on union prin-
ciples, should not be allowed to "work'
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

=
PErITIoNs are being prepared and pre-
sented to congress, asking for legislation
in the interests Of the producing classes.
The present congress cannot plead ignor-
ance Of the wishes Of the laborers.
They have read of the suferings Of the
poor they have seen it, heard its wallis
its groans, its prayers. These petitions
contain nothing new to them, and will
not awaken one pang Of sorrow or note
of sympathy in the heart Of the aver
age government official. II single one
of these petitions are noticed and the
prayer answered, it win be because the
master of congress monopoly gives the
order, and not because the veting cattle
ask it. There are few honest excep-
tions tothe dishonest rule Of public of
ficials, but they can't do anything. They
fuss and stew for awhile, then pop and
cool down. under a draught of $$S$, or
skulk in the corner with broken heart.
If Jesus Christ had served a,term or two
in an American congress, the devil would
never have had to take that tiresome
climb to the top of the mount. He'd
have fetched Him on level ground Keep
up the petition business, you ragged,
hungry beggars, you will melt the hearts
of stone by and by-but you will never
do it with tears; fire is the thing, my
boys. Quit writing petitions, and go to
scratching matches. The smell Of sui
phur might wake 'emup. 4.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
THE NIHIL1sTs AND THE czAR.

The second attempt was made last Sum
day evening to gather an audience to
listen to discourse upon the above sub
ject, by Mr.. William Jackson Armstrong.
The lecture was first announced for the
preceding Sunday evening at the Acad-
emy, but the attendance was so light at
the hour for commencing that it was
postponed. Last Sunday evening the
opera house was engaged, and it was
thought that this fact would help to draw
reasonable-sized audience, but it ap-
pears that the people of Denver care
little about the troubles of Russia, or
lacked confidence in Mr.. Armstrong, for
less than one hundred persons gathered
at the second attempt.
The lecture of the gentleman was not
what I expected, although lit was very
entertaining. Having learned that Mr..
Armstrong had spent considerable time
in Russia, studying its history and the
present political position, and that he
was in thorough sympathy with the Nj
hilists in their efforts to overthrow the
cursed autocracy of their land, l ex-
pected something of detailed and par
ticularized character concerning the
movements and aims of the revolution
ary element of that country. But l was
disappointed. Mr.. Armstrong is an elo-
quent gentleman, in so far as language is
concerned Though his gesturing and pos
turing are very disagreeable), but his
discourse does not contain anything very
new and startling with reference to its
subject. The ordinary reader knows as
much of Nihilism as Mr.. Armstrong told,
and any one who has interested himself
in the affairs of the struggling people of
the old world during the past year,
knows more. The gentleman seems to
know considerably more Of the czar of
Russia than he does of the other part of
his subject. But then the affairs of the
Terrorists (Nihilists) are not public prop
erty, and their best friends" know little
more than the general public may know;
the Nihilist, himself, holds his tongue.
Mr.. Armstrong announces unquali-
fedly that he is in full sympathy with
the Nihilistic movement, and for that
much he is entitled to the esteem of
every lover of freedom aud equality in
the wide world, but he certainly takes a
questionable stand when he advocates
force ID accomplish the liberty of the peo-
pie of Russia and denies the right of
other oppressed people to use the same
means. He assumes that the Irish peo-
pie can obtain their liberty and rights
through other than force methods, while
be says there is no other course possible
in Russis..
There may be difference in the col
.oring of the tyranny which oppresses
the two peoples, but it is the oppression
of the blinded many by the despotic
few in both cases land, as human nature
is about the same in Britain as in Russia,
the ruler will not come down unless he
is pulled down. The question is broad
one and the struggle of the people
against tYrannical oppression must be
international to permanently succeed
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

On the first page of this issue will be
found an article taken from a circular by
Simeon Stetson, author of ''The Peoples
Power, or How to Weld the Ballot" :"
The article is worthy the most careful
reading, as it contains some thoughts
which are new to great many people,
and is on subject of deep interest to
every citizen of the United States. The
matter is thoroughly treated in "The
Peoples Power" and the good and bad
points in all the nown forms of the bal
lot system are clearly stated. This book
will be sent postpaid for 20 cents copy,
or $40 per hundred. Address, Simeon
Stetson, Station B, San Francisco, Cali
fornia. T''.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

balluts with bnIlets and hsns smen's rope
they might BE- able to compel correct
compliance with their expressed wishes !;
but that would make them dynamite
fools"
But there is no use to talk about the
old ballot force. The editor of the R. S.
Truth knows the efforts that have been
made during the past dozen years to
remedy the ills of the working classes at
the polls, and he knows of the disgusting
failures; he says so, himself. He must
know that the condition Of the masses
has grown more and more deplorable
with every election day The working
mans confidence in the ballot can never
be restored without radical change
were made in the svstems it has built
up, and as those systems control their.
maker, how isit possible to change them ?
/ know little something about this
ballot business from experiences; and !
know what the workingmen think of it.
I have heard thousands of them express
themselves.
aThe man in this land who thinks dy-
Mantle, talks dynamite, acts dynamite,
deserves the prison rather than the fran
chise."
Damn the franchise. It's justice and
equality of rights we want, and if we
have to go'farther than talking dyna-
mite" and use dynamite to get them, then
we will use it, Notwithstanding the
assertion of the "blanket-sheep that we
are all pack of towards.
will do all can in my small way to
get Justice for the producers without
blowing up single one of the thieves
who are robbing them. Twill cast bal
lot for every honest man who is fool
enough to put himself up to be slaugh.
tered. will do all can to secure favor
able legislation. will help to boycott
any employer who is unfair to his ahired
help p but will not lose an opportunity
to tell the poor that it is wise and their
duty to prepare for the revolution that
the rich will precipitate upon them. l
don't advise any workingman to blow UP
the postofice or the rich mans mansion
tomorrow; it is not time yet. The time
will come and it will not be so long as it
has taken to bring the ballot to the cul-
minating point. And when it does come
1 suppose the R. S. T. man will be in the
state militia, "baring his breast to the
bayonet," or rather to the dynamite
fool" ...srs
would advise the Sunday Truth to let
John Swinton defend himselfin the fu-
ture. He is amply able to do it; and be-
sides, that gentlemen is much more in
sympathy with the dynamite fools"
than he is with the milk-sop editors of
Humorous, sporting, society, labor"
bIanket-sheets. Hi
With these few remarks turn the
ballot damphool over to the San Fran
cisca Truth, with the request that it do
not blow his head off with dynamite-it
would be foolise waste of good ammu-
nition. 81.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
Who are the People!

The fond and foolish mob assemble in
their halls and pass resolutions of con-
demnation, defiance and reconstruction;
bat the people laugh in their silk and
velvet sleeves, and quietly ask in mock
ing tones, Who are the People,? The
grimy laborer returns to his dismal
home, pinched and haggard; children
greet him at the door, and his pale wife
pours into his compassionate ear her
tale of woe and suffering; but his lordly
master rolls in cushioned carriage to his
palatial home, and over his shining urn
and loaded table. softly asks his wife,
Who are the People? The gaunt and
hungry crew of starving wretches assail
the palaces of magnifcence and cry i'm
ploringly for bread; but the burly police
man, and the uniformed slaves of law
and order clear the streets with clubs and
bayonets in obedience to the commands
1of their lordly masters; while the latter
shout indignant, Who are the People?'
The paltry workers in the human hive
protest and order strikes and offer
prayers, but their entreaties are met with
scorn, their supplications with renewed
expressions; and after the foolish work.
ers have resumed their places, or seen
others gladly take what they have lost,
the drones quietly remark, Who are the
People? The crowd of cattle slide into
place and deposittheir bits Of paper for
the men oftheir choice as LEGISLATORS and
lawmakers; but the sins" quietly put
the machines to work, and after an
nouncing the result of the fair election,
put thumbs to nose and in mockery ask,
Who are the people? The thousandaires
and hundred d-thousandaires and million
aires sip their wines of choicest grade,
puff their perfumed cheroots, their
dainty limbs with silk and yelyets fine
are decked, and murmur; We the Peo-
pie! While the coming Millionaire turns
up his royal nose, and gruffiy calculates,
Damn the People! CARO-.
In San Francisco Truth.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

JOHN ARK1Ns introduced Mr.. Arm
strong to his audience at the opera
house, Sunday evening, and then took a
back seat in the dress circle and went
to sleep. His chief bottle.washer didn't
appear to be any more deeply interested
in the lecture, and went out early to see
how badly the bar was damaged bv the
recent fire. Thus the News outfit gets
at the bottom of the social problem of
all countries. . -r. -, f4f -.- E
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

lcrawl in the open aate and seek shelter
underneath the top Of an old vault. They
rest there BY the side Of those who have
lain century, and eat their goodies.
step into the shadow ofthe church door.
way. Professional florists are trying to
make As big bill as possible, by turning
the sanctuary into green house. A
couple Of white necktie $lO,OoOa-year
assistant pastors are experimenting the
job. They feel satisfied that the meu-
bers will be pleased with the taste they
have displayed. One regrets that sun
flowers would be ont Of place and the
others fat sides shake with laughter at
the joke. I begin to fear that Freddie
and Ida have gone to sleep. No, they
have fms he'd.
aTwas jolly, wasn't it q said Freddie,
as they passed.
aIf fathers all right twill be jollier,"
replied his sister.
The way she said the words the tone
was pitiful. shadowed them again.
Down Thomas street they pass and
finally turn into one of the six story
buildings that contain a family inlevery
room. The law has compelled the own
ers to build iron balconies and staircases
upon the exterior. They are intended
as escapes in case Of fire. They serve as
sort of outdoor garden in the summer,
and storehouse for odds and ends value
less to the pawnbroker in the winter.
The law has not compelled the owner
10 fix as substantial a stairway upon the
interior. 1t is narrow, winding path
way, with swaying hand rail. The cor
ners once round, of the wall, have as
sumed sort Of go-as you-please style OF
architecture. Great Jumps of mortar
have been Knocked out by the moving
of furniture up the stairway and the
bearing of many coffins toward the street
One feels as if it was great trap for
human rats. Still, like shadow, keep
behind Freddie and Ida. They enter q
room and are lost to sight. A laugh from
their homes assures me that all is well
retrace my steps down the ladder 80
fruitful of injury to life or limb, and
make my way into Broadway.
The $4,000 assistant pastors are going
homeward. A reeling drunkardl lstaggers
against them. The men of God brush
their clothes as if he had contaminated
them by his touch. The drunkard sways
down to the Thames street tenement
| Task if this is our boasted civilization,
our culture, our christianity.
Under the shadow of Trinity church
is the human trap. The former owns
the latter. The rent of the drunkard
helps pay the salary of the ministers
who live in luxury. while the drunkard's
children enjoy their Christmas feast
urder the shadow of the tombstone of
| the dead. Christianity, in the shape of
the Trinity corporation. is a landed mo-
nopoly, living upon the earnings of the
poor. 1t seeks to spread Christianity
abroad, while its suffering tenants starve
upon the feast day of their God.
1 walk slowly to my lonely den and
mean to start out on the morrow to give
some little one as much happiness as I
wish the reader of the Traveller can ex-
tract from the most merry Christmas.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
victor HUGO ON o,Donnell.

Just before the murder of O'Donnell,
Victor Hugo wrote a letter to Queen
Victoria asking that the man who had
rid the world Of Carey should be spared.
To this appeal for mercy the English
government turned a deaf ear. e
At the request of Victor Hugo the
czar Of Russia had spared the lives of
the Nihilists who had been condemned
to death. The grand old man thought
that what the czar had done the English
queen would not refuse to do, and in
that belief he wrote his letter in behalf
of O'Donnell, whose brave deed ap-
pealed to his Imagination and elicted his
sympathy. If he had been better ac-
quainted with the policy England adopts
in her treatment of Irishmen he would
have seen the folly Of trying 70 move her
to clemency in the case of one who had
struck down tool of hers who had done
such valuable service as that rendered
by Carey. Taking counsel, however.
with the instincts of his noble nature he
fastened to petition Queen Victoria to
spare the life Of the man English ven
geance had consigned to the scatfold.
But England was not to be sweryed
from her purpose of numbering ODon-
nell. Victor Hugo interceded for him in
vain. He could by his fiery eloquence
melt the heart of the Russian autocrat,
but in the hearts of Englandis rulers he
could stir no chord of sympathy.
But Victor Hugo, if he could not save
the life of O'Donnell, can have his re
venge on O'DonnelPs murderers.
That he proposes doing this is shown
by the following cable dispatch: "Victol
Hugo is writing /. poem on the late hang
ings of Irishmen. It is reported that be
is incensed at the interference of the
home secretary with his appeal to the
queen for clemency in the case of O'Don.
nell, and intends to seattle him in verse.
No one who has any knowledge of the
genius of the great Frenchmah Will doubt
his ability to scathe the man who refused
to listen to hisiprayer for mercy.
The poem, if published, will be Of in
calculable service to the Irish cause, as ii
will be read in every part of the.civilized
world, and will consequently let in a
food of light on the Irish question
Irish World. III tt4 l*... i
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
One in n Thousand.

In an interior town in Massachusetts
there is a manufacturer who, up to last
week, has endeavored to keep his help
employed. Heis not man Of much os-
tentation. He has even the reputation
of being a CLOSE" man. The other day
he called his employees together in the
principal room of the factory and ad-
dressed the men as follows Boys, /
have called you together to submit a
proposition. 1 want you to consider it
we'll and not give me a hasty answer.
Business is very dull and I have kept
you at work long after all the other
shops have closed. l cannot afford to do
it longer without reduction of wages.
This is something / do not want to do if
it can be avoided. It is foryou to say
whether the shop shall be closed or not,
after hearing my proposition. 1t is
briefly this: In order to keep at work
and stock up goods for the winter, 1 will
be forced to an extra expense of about
25 per cent Now, before you answer
me / want you to appoint a committee
to 60 to the Office, examine TIE accounts,
note the state of.markets and of trade,
and satisfy yourselves that my state
ments are correct. My proposal is this !:
If you agree to divide this extra expense
with me, will keep the shop running
and bear my portion of the loss, in the
hope Of making it up when business is
good. Should business suddenly revive,
1 will restore your wages to the present
basis"
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

HENRY WILLARD is said to be total
wreck. The crash came few days ago,
ard now all that few weeks since was
towering majesty in the financial and
corporation world is shattered ambition
and demolished power. have no sym
pathy for Henry; he was fook He
thought he could grapple with the giants
on their own dung-hill and achieve a
victory. He ewas blinded by over-conf-
dence-just as ten or twenty millions of
other fools are, who will not see the only
true course to pursue in dethroning the
tyrants They wallowed Henry around
on the ascent to their dung-hill until he
was highly scented with its disgusting
flavor, and then kicked him to the bot
tom. They say Willard used to be an
advocate of Socialism. If that is true,
I hope his friends will chain him up
now, for he must be so well satisfied by
this time that that is the only way to
pull down the kings, he might be rash,
and 1 don't like rampant, radical men.
And then, haven't much confidence in
men who espouse cause from motives
of revenge and personal satisfaction. On
the whole, don't think Hank will do.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

THERE is no change in the status of
affairs at the Colorado iron works. A
majority of the force are still idle. 1t is
reported that business will pick up in a
short time, and the entire force be rein
stated. Whether there are sufficient
grounds to warrant this hope does not
appear.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

Ths sdvadsed thi6k keis realize this t4ct.
and he Who poses ss the friend and
champion Of the oppressed Of any par
ticular country, to win the confdence Of
social reformers in any other country,
must recognise and respect this truth.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

HERE'S an example; The Denver.
Water company compels its customers to.
pay 81 for shutting off the water from.
those who unfortunately miss payment
of their thieving rates. This sum is:
added to the delinquent wretch's bill
when he gets able to pay it and once
more indulge in natures "free" gift. If.
the monopoly of the peoples natural
property and productions continues, it
will not be long until the capitalistic
grocer will be charging the top price for
black molasses, with 81 added for shut
ting off" the flow when your jug is full
and the 'Great American High Line Air
company" will tax you 81 for sticking in
the plug and shutting Off your wind.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

|sisdnder the protection u thoe principles
This gces to any man Or set of men thst
it fits. That's what / have:to say ass COM
positor. AS an editor find some con-
solatioa in the hope thst this newly
mounted monument of intellect. Of the
journalistic design, is eligible to MEM
bershfp in the Press club; and we will
never meet there.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
a Erisnd In Neei-and Indeed.

Editor Labor Enquirer
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 8. 6.-Afficted with
chronic poverty, resolved to die on the bat
tlefeld, / appeal to the people for ammuni-
tion-that is grub-money to carry on the
war. am very low down and still sinking;
tell your readers. Truly yours,
SIMEON STETsoN.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
our Agents.

Our Agents.
The following named gentlemen are agents
for THE ENQUIRER In their respective 10
calities, and are authorized to receive sub
scriptions and give receipts.
Edward Kyle, Williamsburg.
Daniel Bel, R0ckyale.
David John, Coal Creek
w. s. Jones, Orc, Lake county.
George Wallascer, 1l0H West Chestnut,
I1eadville.
T. R Mcbride, Laporte, Larimer county.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

The publisher of this paper Is not respon-
sible for the opinions Of contributors. The
columns will always be open for the DISCUS
sion Of all sides of the labor questions OF the
day. Contributions always welcome.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12
Union Elections.
PRINTERS.

Denver Typographical Union No. 40
held its semi-annual election last Sunday
afternoon with the following result:
President. D. Vaughn.
Financial Secretary and Treasurer O.
L. Smith.
Recording and Corresponding Secre-
tary-F.P P. Mannix. E
Sergeant-at-Arms-W. s. Johntson.
Executive Committee Richard Pugh,
j. C. Quiner and s. H. Laverty.
Delegation to Trades Assembly,. L.
Merritt, w. IS. Johnston, John S. Daveler
Rudolf Hartman, John K. Seagraves, H.
McDonougl.
M MoLpERs.
Iron Molders Union, No. l8S elected
the following officers on Tuesday eve
ming:
President-L. w. Smith.
Recording Secretary. ID. Gilbert.
Financial SeGretary-John Sumner.
Treasurer. L. Jacobs.
Inductor-J. Sullivan.
Sentinel-O. Smith, IT.
Trustees-C. Jacobs, j. Smithum, IL
Jacobs.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

srHr LABOR Esou1ErR is published every
q stHriev n Will Be devoted to the discus
sion n Iii subjects which tend TO educate,
eIevste and ADVANCE the Aboring classes.
Politically it will support only the frieTns
SUBSCRIPTION rates, $a.0o In advance.
AM comuunicatiOn must be addressed TO
THE LABOR ENQUIBER S6s Larimer street.
Denver Colorado.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

Bur the new pamphlet, Evolution or
Revolution" For sale at this Office;
price, Is cents.
The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-12

Iron Molders Union, No. lSS elected
the following officers on Tuesday eve