Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-19
PROOF FOR EDITOR NEW,
The $4,000 Reward offered by Him
Fairly Won.
Reputable citizens OF indianapolis
Ready TO certify Under Oath thar
Benjamin Harrison Made series
of Insulting Remarks Towards La
boring Wen in 1877.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Aug. 30,-lr an
swer to the indianapolis Journals chal
lenge. offering reward of $4,000 for
proof thnt Gen. Harrison ever made
statements charged against him, this com
munication was delivered for that paper
today:
Your paper has on numerous occa-
sions contained editorial notice of reward,
in which YOU state that you will pay to
sny person 81 600 for proof that Gen.
Benilmin Harrison ever said that 81 per
day was enough for any workipgman,
and 81, 900 for proof that Gen. Benjamin
Harrison ever said that were l the gov
ernor. | would force these men back to
work at the point Of the bayOnet, mean
ing the strikers who participated in the
strike of 1877. The executive board of
District Assembly 1906, X. of L, the sec.
rotary of which is the accredited author
of the above charges. has directed me to
write YOU, claiming the $4,000 on the
proof herewith submitted.
This board has never regarded your
offer to have been made in good faith, as
we have been reliably informed that you
did not deposi. dollar in the bank
where you claim to have deposited So
600 as a reward for the proof referred to.
We do not claim that evidence required
as proof should in every instance be ver>
batim, or be actually in the same lan-
glage used in your editorial notice; but
we claim to offer in every instance words
to the same effect have in my posses.
SIGN as the custodian of the executive
board the following statements. from
which l only quote small portion of
the contents:
Isam Hughes testified that Benjamin
Harrison did say that 81 per day was
enough wages for the workingmen par
tlcipating in the strike of 1877, and he
characterized the strikers as lawbreakers,
unworthy of the title of citizens.
Martin ]. Murphy testities that Benja>
min Harrison did say that the strikers
had forfeited all claims to recognition by
going on q strike; that Benjamin Harri-
son did get up militia company for the
purpose of pursuing the strikers; that
Benjamin Harrison claimed that the rail-
roads could not pay any more, and that
the strikers were not justified in asking
for more, and that 81 was sufficient for a
workingman and he ought to be satisfied.
Patrick H King testified that Benja-
min Harrison did say that the wages of
the strikers were sufficient, that the men
must return to work or the militia would
force them to submit.
William Miller testifes that Harrison al
the conference said on two occasions -
dollar day is enough for working
man." and that if the strikers did not re
turn to work they would be put down by
the militia at the point of the bayonet.
Thomas McHugh testities that Benja-
min Harrison threatened the strikers
with militia and to force the men back
at the point of the bayonet; that the
wages were sufficient and all that the
railroad companies could afford.
Ben Zahm says; Il now quote Benja'
min Harrison's exact language: If were
governor of this state or sheriff of thls
county l would have every train running
if had to wade in blood up to my tinge
tips"
VIM. Hugo testiies that Benjamin
Harrison did command a militia compan'
during the strike that he claimed tn
wages were sufficient; that the men haC
no right to even claim arbitration.
The letter inclosed contained simia
statements made by other persons.
continues:
I'm connection with the above state
ments, We wish it distinctly uuderstoot
that these statements are extracts onl
that We have original statemenst of tn
men and from others whose names we ar
bound to shield on account of their occu
patton. The statements we have pro
cured are from men who are well know
to the members of the X. of l. and Q
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer
and the tiiremens and brake mems hrott
erhoods. They are men whom we kno'
to be possessed of veracty and integrity
who are in all respects worthy OF the col
fidence of the people, and they will Gel
hfy under oath TO the statements made
This board desires the SO 900 rewar
offered by your paper for the purpose {
defraying the expenses of the street C,
drivers strike conducted under the al
spices of this board in 1887, which b,
been Instrumental in bringing about wol
derful reforms in the street car servic
and the amount over and above that r.
quiied forthe purpose specified to be pa
to the Knights Of Labor relief fund to |
nsed in similar contests and for equal
as lsudabie purposes, the money to /
paid to the undersigned, he being du
authorized to receive the same
The above letter has been read BY IL
executive board of District Assembly 10
X. of L., who have directed it to be TO
wsrded to you with request that yc
reply, saying by what method you W
agree to select committee to exami,
the original testimony now in possessiC
of this board
For the executive board: