The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-10-09

INTIMIDATION.
The Screws Put on--Coionei Conger, OF Ak
rOn, In Tho Role Of BuIldoEer.


The Screws Put On--ColoneI ConRer, OF Ak
ron, In tho Rols OF BulldoEer.
"YOte the Republican ticket this fall,
men, or You will be reduced In wages,
the shop will have TO DO ahut down, and
you will suffer" To BIO sure this Ia only
a mild way Of Initiating the dire dis
aster that would befall those who dare
to vote their honest convictions. but how
far removed 10 II from the so'called shot
gun policy Of the s0uthp II is q direct
insult to the intelligence Of men who
have read all sides OF the public Ques.
tions up for consideration by tho people
to-day. But 1t Ia from the same piece
that induced an iron firm at YOungs.
town TO brand across the backs OF q large
number OF their workmen the firm
name. II Ia from the same piece that
caused that great friend OF the labOring
men, Chauncoy Andrews, Of Youngs.
town, TO point TO these branded men and
say: "That's how we fix 'em. We own
every mothers son of them" II Ia of
the same piece that causes the Morgan
concern at Alliance TO call out their
men In line on election day, and make
them march In line TO the polls,
where Morgan stands beside the win.
dow and hands each man an open ticket
which he must either vote or be dis
charged. II Is of the same piece with
the attempted political coercion among
the miners OF tho Hooking Valley, and
which the miners had grit enough TO
resist, w%hereupOn the bosses cut prices
on mining and the now famous strike
ensued.
But why multiply lnstancesp Are not
the public fully aware Of all these
things and will they submit TO sec men
driven by the lash like slaves TO the
polling places, and cOerced into voting
ballots that they do not believe In?
IL IL reported upon the authority Of
men who work In the Knife Shop that
on Monday last Col. Conger had them
notified that he desired to see them,
They assembled and were addressed with
remarks which wound up In the manner
In which this article begins, The men
say that Col. COnger was very deeply In
earnest, and urged them In such q man
ner that his request soon assumed the
tone OF a command.
Now 1t may DO worth while to look
Into the statements made by Col. Con.
ger TO his mon, when plcturing tho dire
fulness OF an imaginary free trade, and
the blessings that would flow from the
Mckinley idea Of protection, -Four years
ago the employees Of nearly all the shoIs
In Akron lwere Informed OF Just the
same state OF a%ffaira, and promises madD
to them that II they voted for Garfield
and the rest OF the Republican ticket
wages would DO better, work steadiel
aud the land made TO dow with milk ant
honey. DO those workmen who hat
these things presented TO them recall
the four years that have passed, and thu
actual condition Of a%ifairsp Do tn
wOrkmen In Col. Conger's own shops rO
call how tho shop has been shut dowI
for weeks at q time; how wages hayl
been reduced, lrst ton per cent, theI
twenty per cent, and but recently thirt,
per cont; and how only tho pas
week thirty men were dismissed from
the employ OF the concern DO they 70
call these thingsH DO these men, then
place any confidence In tho statemen.
Col. COnger makes them on this subject
VIII they tamely submit TO have them
selves gulled 80 completely az thil
would indicate, treating them as thougl
they possessed not the slightest degre,
Of intelligence
II Ia said that when Col, COnger ha,
finished his remarks, and dismissed Tn
men to their work benches, the growl
and murmurs Of discomfort were lou,
aud deep, ana that II any further at
tempt nj coercion DO made, an open 70
volt would follow. II 10 u disgrace b
the Western Reserve Of Ohio that sue
things t%ransplred there; but II shows th
desperation Of the Mckinley men, an,
: the means they will resort to, 10 bolste
up the waningIfortunos Of their candi