Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-09-27

lOi tie JIObl llluL ueucTdl I1dIIlSOu cNtl
said that 81 per day was enough foI
workiDgmen, and were he "the Gov
ernor of Indiana he would shoot down
the strikers or force them back to
work" Edwin F. Gould, Knight
Of Labor Of indianapolis, having col.
lected statements from fifteen men who
say they heard General Harrison make
the remarks in question, on Wednes.
day demanded the $4,000 from the
Journal proprietors. The demand was
made in the following letter:
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Aug. 90, 1888.
John G. New & Son, Editor and Proprietor In
dianapolis Journal.
GENTLEMEN;-Your paper has upon
numerous occasions contained editorial
notice of reward, in which you state
that you will pay to any person 81 200
for proof that Benjamin Harrison ever
said that "Sl per day was enough for
any workingman," and ST 900 for proof
that Benjamin Harrison ever said that
"Were / the Governor, would force
those men back to work at the point of
the bayonet," meaning the strikers
who participated in the strike of 1877.
The executive board of district as
sembly 106, X. of L., the Secretary of
which is the accredited author of the
above charges, has directed me to write
you claiming the $1,000 upon 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 de-
posit a dollar in the bank where you
claim to have deposited $1,000 as a re-
ward for the proof referred to.
We do not claim that the evidence
required as proof should in every in
stance be verbatim or be exactly the
same language used in your editorial
notice, but we,do claim to offer in every
instance words to the same effect.
l have in my possession, as the custo-
dian of the executive board, the follow
ing statements from which only quote
small portion of the contents:
Isom Hughes testifies: That Benia-
min Harrison did say that 81 per day
was enough wages for the Workingmen
participating in the strike of 1877 and
that he characterized the strikers as
law breakers unworthy of the title of
"citiZens."
Martin J. Murphy testifies: That
Benjamin Harrison did say that the
strikers had forfeited all claims to rec
ognition by going on strike, that Ben
jamin Harrison did get up a MALTA
company for the purpose of pursuing
the strikers; tnat some of the strikers
received only 80 cents per day; that
Benjamin Harrison claimed that the
railroads could not pay any more, and
that the strikers were not justified in
asking for any more and that ST was
sufficient for workingman and he
ought to be satisfied.
Patrick Fl. King testifies: That Ben
.jamin 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 testifies: That Har-
rison, in the conference committee, said
on two occasions, dollar a day is
enough for a workingman and that if
the strikers did not return to work that
they would be put down by the militia
at the roiAt of the bayonet.
William Shock testifies: That Mr..
Harrison said the men had better work
for dollar day than do what they
were doing, and further, that dollar a
day was good pay for workingman.
John Hackinson testifies: That Ben
jamin Harrison did say that 81 was
enough for any workingman and they
should accept that and be satisfied.
Thomas McHugh testifies: That Ben
jamin Harrison threatened the strikers
with the militia and force the men back
at the point of the bayonet; that the
wages were sufficient and all that the
railroad companies could afford.
Michael Crowley testifies: That Ben
jamin Harrison did say that if the roads
were unable to pay more than 81 per
day the men ought to be satisfied, as
that amount was enough for any work.
ingman.
Ben Zahm says: II now quote Ben
jamin Harrison's exact language: If I
were governor of this state or sheriff of
this county, would have every train
running if l had to wade in blood up to
my finger tips.'
William Hugo testifies: That Ben
jamin Harrison did command a militia
during the strike; that he claimed the
wages sufficient; that the men had no
right to even claim arbitration.
#. E. Callihan testifies: That Har-
rison insulted the strikers in 1877; that
he said they were getting plenty OF
wages; that 81 day was abundant and
that many were obliged to live on less
than that amount.
Charles A. Fogarty testifies: That as
hoirpon of tho rali@f oOn, niftoo in fb q
III strike he was unable to attend the
meeting where Ben Harrison's remarks
were made, but that he sent Others
there who reported to him, corroborat'
ing the above statements.
In connection with the above state
ments We wish it distinctly understood
that these statements are extracts only
that we have the original statements oil
the men and from others whose name.
we are bound to shield on account o
their occupation. The statements
which we have. e.procured aresfrom mer
whom we know to be.true members o
the X. of L., the brotherhoods of loco
motive engineers and firemen and
brakemen's brotherhood. They ar
men whom we know to be possessed o
veracity and integrity, who are In every
respect worthy of the confidence of the
people, and theytwin testify under oatl
to the statements made. ~ w
This board desires the $1,000 reward
offered by your paper for the purpos,
of defraying the expenses of the stree
car drivers strike conducted under tn,
auspices of this board in 1887, whicl
has been instrumental in bringin,
about wonderful reforms in the stree
car service, and the amount over an,