Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-09-29
Hon. Geo. D. Wise and the Knights of La
bOr.

HE EXPOSES THE POLITICAL CHARACTER OF
MULLEN, THE so-cALLED CANDIDATE OF
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR FOR CONGRESS.
At mass meeting of the Democratic
Workingmen of Richmond on last Friday
night, Hon. Geo. D. Wise made an able and
elaborate speech. After showing that the
Knights of Labor, not being political par
ty, had no right, as such, to nominate
| Candidate for Congress, and that Mullen
was nominated at secret meeting, called
for conference merely, composed of seventy
| colored men and less than half that num-
Der of white men, from which large num-
| Der of white men retired; and after giving
detailed report of his legislative action,
showing that he had supported with zeal
and efficiency every measure recommended
by the Knights of Labor, and others in the
interests of labor, he paid his respects to
Mullen, whom he clearly proved to be a
"bad egg," as follows
81 have a little more / want to say to my
fellow citizens. Mr.. Mullen has said in that
paper that have bossed all the superinten-
dents, all the chiefs of the offices in Rich
mond. My letters are on file, and tell you
that any gentleman in Richmond can read
them. If he or any man will show by the
testimony of any respectable witness line
which have written or that 1 have said
more to any of these oficeholders in Rich
mond than that they should do their whole
duty to the Government l will retire. I
never said word of that sort to them in
my life.
MR.. MULLEN's LETTERS.
If Mr.. Mullen will consent to the publ
cation of his letters, it can be shown that
he tried to boss two jobs. He has alluded
| to the removal of McLeary, and the reten-
ton of Mr.. Russell. The latter holds his
Office under statute of the United States.
Mr.. Mullen has said in writing that he
would consent to the removal Of McLeary,
if appointed to the position held by Mr.. Rus
sell. Laughter. There is a gentleman
on this stand who brought the letter to me
from Mr.. Mullen. Now, when he is going
around whispering in the ears of Irishmen,
he should remember that he was willing to
cut McLeary's official throat if he (Mullen)
could get the job. 1 have too much on these
people. When he was writing letters damn
ing Federal office holders he was also ask
ing that his own brother-in-law be given a
place. But am not going to forget these
things. I am going to tell them all over
Ftown. Another thing, workingmen, to show
you his gratitude. haven't his letter, but
I have the proof of gentlemen in this city,
that the first man who asked for place
under the administration of Cleveland was
Mr.. Mullen, and what place do you suppose
he wanted? He wanted
i THE PLACE OF CoLORED MAN,
named Brown. who runs on the York River
road between Richmond and West Point.
l[Loud laughter On what ground did he
want it? He said, 'sturn the Republicans
and negroes out" He did not like Brown,
because Brown was Republican. He did
not like Brown, because Brown was black.
"Tell it not in GATH publish it not in the
helped to nominate him three Friday nights
ago He loves them, does he? Gentlemen,
what is coalition? Laughter. 1t is you
tickle me and l tickle you. Renewed
laughter He was tickling Browns back
to get him out, but he is now tickling
Brown to get himself in.
I must not forget tho whole story. Mr..
Mullen had been very kind to me. He had
assured me that he was my warmest friend
and supporter. Just then he thought was
the best friend the laboring man ever saw
I He threw his arms around me and almost
kissed me to death. l liked Mr.. Mullen
land I believed his professions. The first
office distributed in Richmond was given to
Mr.. Mullen, and have his letters asking
for it. You had better take warning by my
fate. The kiss of Judas is no better than
stab. [Derisive cheers. u
/ PROFESSOR J. H. COOK.
Professor J. Fl. Cook, of Church Hill,
was the next speaker. He alluded in COM
plimentary terns to Mr.. Wise. He did not
think it advisable to send an apprentice
one who would hold his hands and suck his
fingers-to Congress. "Can we afford to
send novice to Washington? Can we af-
ford to send young sapling to Congress
one who will be blown this way or that by
every breeze that blows through the halls
of Congress? In regard to Mr.. Mullen, he
is no more in comparison to George d. Wise
than baby is to an elephant"
Professor Cook closed by offering the
following, which were adopted:
Whereas the time is approaching for the
election of representative in Congress
from this the Third congressional district,
and the necessities of the times now no less
uuired that we see to it that q gentleman in
every sense of the word capable be sent to
represent us, and one, too, who will legis-
late with uniform interest to all sections of
our great country, and particularly of the
industrial or wage working portions thereof;
and whereas and apart from other consider
ations we deem the nomination made in
this city on the night of the 10th instant
ILLEGAL AND CONTRARY TO THE
"CIRCULAR'' AND THE OBJECTS
SET FORTH THEREIN CALLING FOR
A CONFERENCE OF KNIGHTS OF
LABOR: therefore be it
Resolved, That the nomination of Will
liam Fl. Mullen as candidate for Congress
from this district by said illegal Convention
was an usurpation of the powers delegated
to the representatives forming it, thereby
injuring the many in the interests of the
few, and we unqualifiedly repudiate said
nomination.
RESOLVED, That in the person of the Hon.
George D. Wise, our faithful representative
for the past six years, we recognize man
who has unswervingly, in season and out
of season, regardless of time, cost, or rest,
worked for the interests of the laboring-
man; and we, Democratic Knights of Labor
and workers, gratefully approaching
such noble services as he has rendered, and
wishing to secure continuance of them in
the Fiftieth Congress, do hereby and now
most heartily and unanimously endorse his
nomination, made by a legally qualified
Convention, secure and firm in the belief
that with such representative not one jot
or title of our interests will be neglected
or fail of success in the hands of so eminent,
gifted, and fearless son of Virginia.
| After three cheers for Mr.. Wise the meet
ing adjourned.
A GREAT EDITORS AGRICULTURAL Ex-
PERIENCE.- Alex. X. Mcclure made
sspeech at the Lancaster County Fair, and
in beginning told bit of his farming ex-