Evening star., 1886-09-06
THENEw PUBLIC PRINTERS LABOR
RECORD.
The Charge That He II An Enemy to
Labor Denied by Chief Clerk Benedict.

A dispatch from Syracuse, New York, in o
morning paper states that at the coming con-
ventfon in that city of the political branch OF
the state workingmens trades assembly, the ap-
pointment of MIR. Benedict, the deputy state
controller as public printer, will be canvassed. 1t
IS predicted by the same authority that the
labor organizations will unite in opposing the
confirmation Of Mr.. Benedict on the ground
that his record in the New York assembly from
1880 until 1883 shows that he is an enemy of
organized labor. In proof of this it is main
tanned that the record shows that Mr.. Benedict
mas always voted for perpetuatfon OF the con-
vict labor system in the prisons Of the state;
that he voted in 1883 against the proposition
same year voted against the 6ilI TO establish a
state printing Office a similar establishment to
the one In this city, though on smaller scale
dispatch to prove that Mr.. Benedict is not Il
practical printer and to oppose his conhrma-
ton on that ground.
Mr.. Benedict is not in the city at present, as
ne VIII not assume the duties OF his new office
until about the 10Th of September, but the at
tention OF his brother, who was recently ap-
pointed chief clerk of the Government Printing
Office, was called this morning by STAR re-
porter TO the statements above referred to. Mr..
for his brother, and preferred that such matters
should be referred TO him. He, however,
glanced over the newspaper cutting, and re-
marked:
ut seems to me that this whole thing is en-
tirely without foundation In tact. Of course
am not familiar with all my brothers. acts
while In the assembly, but in general can say
that he is now and has been a firm friend Of
labor organizations. and in favor of doing what
he could 70 advance their interests AS far as the
specific bills referred to are concerned knOWthat
my brothers action would be determined by
what in his judgment he thought were the
merits In each case. AS you know, many Ill.
considered bills are introduced into legislative
bodies OStensibly to benefit labor, but the ad-
vantages OF which are sometimes very few. and
In many cases exist only In the itnaginations of
the promoters of the measures. | know that
my brother Is on friendly terms with the ty pO-
graphical union in Albany. and tnat upon one
occasion which recali he differed with his sue
cessor in the assembly because he Lad voted
against abOlishing convict labor"
ihere Is another point mentioned" contin.
ued Mr.. Benedict, land that is that my brother
Is not u practical printer. The law on this SUBJ
Ject Was thoroughly looked up by the law otfi.
Ger OF the government at the request OF the
President before his appointment was decided
upon and 1t was found that my brother Was ell
gible under the law. My brother has been in
the printing aud newspaper business many
years, ana took occasion " faniliariZe himself
with all the practical work OF the printing aud
publishing business. Like self, he has been
In The business nearly all his life. l began at
the case and worked through al branches of
the trade. In New York city WAS q member
of Typographical union, No. q, and supported
by my contributions and efforts all the strikes
Ol That organ ,ZaLlOn to advance the aieS OF
composition anu work during the war period"