The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-17
THE VIEWS OF OBSERVERS.
Dir. Litchman Says the Knights of Labor
Are for Protection to Industries.
Gen. Fairchild Expects Maine to Give q Still
larger Majority in Misunderstanding
Against Texas Free-Trade Congressman.

Charles H. Litchman, Of Marblehead, Mass,
spent Sunday in the city, preparatory to Begin
ming canvass of the State under the direction
Of the Republican committee. His laoors will
be principally confined to southeastern Indiana
where he expects to remain week or ten days,
after which time he will be sbject TO the orders
OF the committee Mr.. Litchmsn has for years
been identified with labor organizations, having
occupied the position of general secretary
of the Knights of Labor. "Since 1874
1 have voted the Greenback ticket
he said to a Journal reporter yesterday
81 ardent supporter of General Butler
in the campaign four years ago, but have had
my eyes opened somewhat during the past two
or three years, know that / am severely crti-
cised for what 1 have done. but it is my belief
that in this country every man has right to
think as he plesses and to change his opinion as
often AS he plsases change. IL made for the
better, can certainly not be harmful and it ex-
hibits no weak will or political instability"
''You left the Gresnbsck party after due de-
liberation2'
eyes, have tried to make IL matter Of ser
ious thought have tried to be honest In all
have done. But, although was candid and
faithful in my work with the Greenback party,
have no hesitancy in saying now that will
support Harrison and Morton. There can be no
question, il seems to me. why man should
choose the Republican ticket in preference to
the Democratic"
How Is General Harrison received by the
Knights of Iaborlr
The Knights of Labor do not introduce poll
tics into their meetings in any shape whatever.
They do not form political organization, but,
nevertheless, they all have ideas, aud outsids
they not slow to express them. The ma jority
Of the Knights of Labor are well read thinking
men Hard workers they are, they know
what is best for their interests and no class
Of men is r.ore quick to rsbel against the die
tatss of n ylonoo oiy or a tyrauncal syndicate A
part OF them will vote the Union Labor ticket
aud a part the United Labor but exclusive OF
these, think you will find that the majority OF
the remainder will support General Harrison.
1t is not because they are Knights of Labor that
they will do this. but because they working
men who believe that protection 10 American in
dustres means protection to their own wages.
in which the laboring man is
intensely interested lie knows that the
labor vote will cut pretty large figure in the
final result, and when IL comes right down TO
question Of bread and butter ne is not going to
vote to make the English workman his compesi-
tor. The Democratic party forgets that its
promises 20 thu workngmen are not even
plausible waen il is in favor Of free trade. AS
q consequence, l am safe in saying thas the
Knights of Labor will support General Harrison.
They have perfect confidence in him o
and 8 statesman They do not look upon him
in any other light than their friend