Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-10-08

Gov. Rusk obtained a denomination,
and now asks reelection upon the sole
issue of his conduct here last spring, by
which he sharply and directly antagou-
ICES workingmen and their organizations
That is the issue, and however it may be
disputed by technically stating the facts,
1t cannot be avoided.
The result will be that workingmen
Will combine, their organizations will be
strengthened, and their relations to their
employers will be considerably strained,
and in those cases where their employers
are voting for Mr.. Rusk, will be unfriend-
ly.
think it would have been far better
for business and the peace of society, and
more patriotic if Gov. Rusk had declined
a denomination, and thereby expunged
from the issue of this campaign, the re-
lations of workingmen's organizations
to society and business. 1t will be much
better for employers and employees that
many of these organizations become ex-
tinct, but they cannot be forced out of
existence, and if not disturbed by anita
gonizing influences they will disappear
but the republicans have forced the issue,
which L deprecate and the injury will be
greatly increased if prominent democrat
ic employers and business men shall vote
for and use their influence to elect Gov.
Rusk. If l were a candidate against Gov.
Rusk | do not think | would object to
that class of democrats announcing them
selves for his reelection, for l think it will
drive the workingmen into a close and
compact organization for his defeat.
This will be most pernicious and dan
gerous result, and l sincerely hope that
democrats will vote for their candidate,
if he is man qualified and worthy"
But Gov. Rusk is candidate, and the
issue his candidacy makes and which his
party has clearly announced will have to
be met, and the question is, would the
defeat of Rusk be a condemnation of his
conduct in Milwaukee and encourage law
less people to turbulent conduct"
1T would be neither. Is it to be said
that a democratic governor would not do
his duty in every emergency. Shall the
democratic party refrain from making
nominations in special instances when the
other side performs any commendable
act? The election of Gov. Rusk will not
effect single useful purpose for either
the workingman or capitalist, and | am
sure if the democratic candidate for gov
ernor is defeated by democratic employ
relations between capital and labor.
Suppose l should announce it to the
men in my employ that 1 was going to
support Mr.. Rusk, would they not instantly
see that it was on account of the issue he
made with the wOrkingmen of the state?
l always try to maintain the most cordial
relations between the men L employ and
myself. Their interests are my interests
and [ shall not antagonize them by voting
for Mr.. Rusk on account of the cruel and
dangerous issue he has raised.
If the democratic candidate Is worthy
man l shall vote for him and get every
one of my men to vote for him if | can,
for l believe it is the right course to pur-
sue; if for no other reason, because of the
issue Mr.. Rusk and his friends have made
with the workingmen of the state and the
injurious results likely to come of it."