Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-30
Country First, Party Next

To The Editor Cfht Register:
SIR:-Thc idea is current with many
that man should sustain his party, right
or wrong; that he should vote his party
ticket whether the candidates which IL
presented be worthy or unworthy. But
moments reflection should convince any
reasonable man that this is most per-
nicious doctrine, and that il lies Mt the
root of much of the political corruption
with which our country is cursed at the
present day. 1t is cheerfully conceded
that it may be sound policy and true pat
riotism to sustain u party so far rs i! is
represented by worthy men and worthy
measures; but when this ceases TO be the
case, then it becomes the duty OF every
good citizen to see to it that none but suit
able men should be put in public office.
His own interest and the public welfare
demand this.
In this connection allow me TO ask
question or two in regard to the men who
represent the Labor interest on the Ohio
county Democratic and Republican tickets
for the State Legislature The writer has
no personal knowledge of these gentlemen,
but has heard it intimated that some of
them, if not all, are more or less tainted
with socialism, and approve of the practice
of "bOycotting." This is presumed from
the fact that the labor societies of this city
have practccd this outrage recently upon
some of the most worthy and enterprising
business men. The latter have been pill
loried in tie paper called the "Boycotter"
and the names of some Of them still stand
there under the head of the BLACK sheep"
Now il is important that the voters should
know whether or not the gentlemen who
have been selected to represent the labor
interest on the party tickets, approve OF
such measures. If 10, they are without
question unfit for the Legislature, or any
other public Office.
Boycotting means simply this: "Do as ]
bid you, or will do you all the harm
cam In regard to which it need only be
said, that an enlightened public sentiment
will never submit TO it, but will treat IL
with the utmost Indignation.
Now is the time TO test this matter. If
either, or all, of the gentlemen indicated
wish TO clear their skirts Of this boycott
ting business, they can easily find the
way OF doing so. But if they should de-
cline in this respect then il becomes the
duty of every intelligent and honest voter
to scratch them in favor Of wiser and bet
ter men, even if they should be Of the OPP
posite party. One word in conclusion.
The writer must not be understood as hos
tile TO the labor interests. On the con-
trary he is entirely opposed to large mo
nopolies and oppressive corporations. lie
thinks that they should be put under
proper legal restrictions. He is in favor
of organized labor for self.protecti0n, but
not for uniustly infringing on the rights
of Others. His motto is:
LIVE AND LET LIVE.
Denial.
To Ae Eiit1r ofthe RegiSter:
sIR:-In last evenings Neps-Letter was
an article referring to me as Captain ofand
as having charge ofthe Printers Protective
Fraternity at this place. Now the state
ment is base fabrication, which only
those Union men know how TO invent, as
am not yet member Of that organiza-
ton, although am very happy to say
that ] consider il an honor TO belong to il
instead of the international typographical
Union, which know from experience 70
be composed largely Of the worst kind Of
buns. "REbDY, THE RAT"
WHEELING, September -.
A Card.
1t may have been courageous in Mr..
Meek. surrounded by his dupes and inn
piously invoking the aid Of the Supreme
Being, to threaten TO punish me, but he
will display more valor and show 10 the
public that his talk was not cowardly bun
combe, if he will undertake the job in
person. SAMUEL A. KEPSEI.
Sproule Must Die.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., September Do
Sproule, the American convicted In Brit
ish Columbis Of murder and whose SEN
4 n III