Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-09-28


MONY.
The indianapolis Journal, having
offered reward of 81 900 for proc
that Benjamin Harrison had ever sait
that one dollar day was enough fol
any workingman, it seems likely to re
ceive more proof" than it bargained
for, and the incident shows the danger
of shooting ones mouth off when it is
aimed in the wrong direction. The
following letter was written to the
Journal proprietors by Edwin F. Gould
a Secretary of Knights OF Labor
Assembly of Indianapolis:
I GEsrLEMEN Your paper on numer
Gus occasions contained editorial no
tice of reward in which you state
that you will pay to any person 81 ,OO(
for proof that Benjamin Harrison evel
said that "One dollar per day was
enough for any workingman," and
81 900 for proof that Benjamin Harri
son ever said that "Were l the Gov
ernor l would force these men back tC
work at the point of the bayonet'
(meaning the strikers who participated
in the strike of 1870. The Executive
Board of District Assembly No. 1O6
Knights of Labor, the Secretary o.
which is the accredited author of the
above charges, has directed me to write
you, claiming the - 900 upon the proc
herewith submitted.
This board have never regarded YOU
offer to have been made in good faith
as we have been reliably informed that
you did not deposit dollar in the banl
where you claim to have deposited
- 900 as reward foi the proof re
ferred to.
We do not claim that the evidence
required as proof should in every in
stance be verbatim, be exactly in the
same language used in your editoria
notice, but we do claim to offer in every
instance words to the same effect.
! have in my possession, as the Gus
todian of the Executive Board, the fol
lowing statements, from which ! quote
only a small portion of the contents:
Isom Hughes testified that Benjamin
Harrison did say that 81 per day wa.
enough for the workingmen participat
ing in the strike of 1877, and that hi
characterized the strikers as lawbreak
ers and unworthy of the title of citi
zens.
Martin ]. Murphy testified that Ben
jamin Harrison did say that the strik
ers had forfeited all claims to recogni
ton by going on strike; that Ben
jamin Harrison did get up militis
company for the purpose of pursuing
the strikers; that some of the striker.
received only 80 cents u day; tha
Benjamin Harrison claimed that the
railroads could not pay any more, an(
that the strikers were not justified il
asking more, and that 81 was sufficient
for workingman, and he ought to b
satisfied.
Patrick II. King testifes that Ben
jamin Harrison did say that the wages
of the strikers were sufficient; that thu
men must return to work, or the mill
tia would force them to submit
William Miller testifies that Harri
son at the conference said on two occa
sions a dollar a day is enough for {
workingman, and that if the striker,
did not return to work they would b,
put down by the militia at the point o
the bayonet.
William Shock testified that Mr.
Harrison said the men had better worl
for dollar day than do what the,
were doing, and, further, that dollar
a daywas good pay for workingman
John Hackinson testified that Ben
jamin Harrison did say that one dollar
was enough for any workingman, ant
they should accept that and be salts
fled.
Thomas McHugh testifies that Ben
iamin Harrison threatened the striker,
with the militia to force the men bacl
at the point of the bayonet; that tn,
wages were sufficient and all the rail
road company could afford.
Michael Crowley testifies that Ben
jamin Harrison did say that if tn,
roads were unable to pay more thar
one dollar per day the men ought t,
be satisfied, as that amount was enough
for any wOrkingman.
Ben Seahm says: / now quote Ben
jamin Harrison's exact language:
If l Were Governor Of this State, Of
Sheriff of this county, I could hap,
erery train running if I had to wade i,
blood TO my .fnger-tips.
William Hughs testifies that Benja
min Harrison did command militi.
company during the strike; that h,
claimed the wages were sufficient, ant
that the men had no right to ever
claim arbitration.
7. +. Callihan testifies that Harri
son insulted the strikers in 1877; tina
he said they were getting plenty o
wages; that one dollar q day wa
enough, and that many were obliged t.
live on less than that amount.
Charles A. Fogarty testifies that Al
Chairmaa of the Relief Committee il
the 1877 strike he was unable to attent
the meeting where Benjamin Harri
sons remarks were made, but that h,
sent Others there who reported to hin
corroborating the above statements.
In connection with the above state
ments we wish it distinctly under
stood that these statements are ex
tlacts only, and that we have the orig
inal statements Of the men and from
others whose names We are bound Il
shield on account of their occupation
The statements which we have pro
cured are from men whom we know t,
be true members of the Knights O
Labor, the Brotherhood of Locomotiv,
Engineers and Firemen and the Brake
mems Brotherhood.
possessed of veracity and integrity
who are in every respect worthy of tn,
confidence of the people. and they vii
testify under oath to the statement
made.
The above letter has been read by
the Executive Board of District Assem-
bly, 1O6, Knights of Labor, who hav,
directed it to be forwarded to you will
request that you reply saying by
what method you will agree to select !,
committee to examine the original tes
timony now in possession of this board
For the Executive Board,
(Signed) EDWIN +. GOULD,
District Recording Secretary, Dis
trict Assembly 1O6, Knights of Labor
The Gig Harbor saw mill, on Puge
Sound, w. T., has started up, and viii
presently turn out lOO,OOO feet of lum
Der, 100000 shingles and $1,000 latl