The Labor enquirer., 1886-11-20
OUR TACOMA LETTER.
Dirty Work OF Law and Order Pol1ti'
cians-A Celebration That
Was One.

The following letter was delayed en-
route it should have reached here in
time for last weeks paper. But it is
good yet:
Editor Labor Enquirer.
TACOMA, W. T., Nov. Collection is
over and the republicans have won the
victory with the exception of sheriff and
probate Judge, the peoples party get
ting these two offices. Never before had
I seen the methods used that were used
here bY the Republican party to win the
election. Their ballots were printed on
thin paper and could be easily distin-
guished from all other ballots, 80 their
bosses could intimidate the "sovereigns,
who were dependent upon them for
their existence
There is section in the organic act of
the territory requiring foreigner to
take an oath to support said act before
being qualified as a voter. That is the
way the Republican judges in terpreted
it, although several good lawyers doubt
its legality. Every foreigner was chal-
lenged, if lie did not present the easily
discernible republican ballot, and bal
lots were refused from citizens that had
voted for twentv-one years in the
United States and Six years in this city.
A comrade stood at the polls and when
these indignant voters turned away he
placed in their hands copy of The
Wage Workers Declaration of 1ndepend-
ence;" and after examining the con
tents their invariable expression was
THAT is the ticket l will vote here
AFTER" and that appeared to be the
unanimous sentiment of all native born
laborers who witnessed this infamous
system of bulldozing.
In my opinion a man who will take
an oath to support the laws of Washing
ton territory as whole, as they read at
present shows a desire to play sover-
eign that over-balances his better judg-
ment. Here is a sample of them:
"If two or more persons are seen con-
versing together On the street, any JUS
tice of the peace or peace officer, if in
his own judgment they formI conspir-
acy or mob, may order them TO disperse,
and if they refuse to do SO, armed as
sistance may be called and any officer
shedding blood in the discharge of his
duties under this act shall be held guilt
by the courts" So much for law and
order.
1t is said that ladies were hired by the
republican ring and given 81 vote for
all votes delivered at the polls, and fur
nished carriages and money to purchase
the votes. Every one showing repub
lican ballot was allowed to vote. One
man who had represented another
county as delegate to the republican
convention a few days before, voted.
He was challenged by a prominent la
borer, but no attention was paid to it,
not even a refusal to the challenge was
given.
On the third of November the citizens
of Tacoma celebrated the anniversary of
the Chinese exodus. There was agrand
torch light procession, after which they
retired to the Knights of Labor hall
where an elegant banquet was served,
There were several rousing speeches
made, suitable to the occasion; espe-
cialY one made by John Arthur, an
attorney of this city, who gave the labor
ing men some sound advice on organiza
ton and the principles of Socialism. 1t
was the speech of the evening aud was
enthusiastically received. The enter
tainment ended with a ball. and all
went home happy with the proud know
ledge that they we're breathing the pure
air of an atmosphere untainted by the
accursed Mongolian, and that this condi-
ton was due to their own efforts ont
side of the Hot box. Law and order
TO the contrary notwithstan ling, mot to
De slave is to dare and do"
Wonder if any of them thought of
solving the labor problem in the ga me
manner, by the unanimous revolt and
uprising Of public opinion? l hope not,
for our republican pot-house politicians
might wear their button holes on the
outside of their coats in the future.
In describing the celebration the capi-
talistic press was very brief, and one fact
they ignored altogether was that two red
flags were in the procession, waving
proudly side by side with our noble old
flag the stars and stripes, denoting the
fact that although each nation has Its
own flag which they love and are will
ing with their lives to defend, that the
cause of labor ls international and our |
hearts should throb with sympathy for |
suffering humanity wherever it may be.
As red has in all ages denoted the lib