Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-10-05


Patrick Ford, editor Of the Irish
World, the leading Irish paper In
America, is giving his earnest support
to Harrison and Morton. He is a
Knight of Labor and one Of the
ablest champions of the laboring
classes. In late issue Of the Irish
World he says:
ct is evident from the insignif-
cant vote cast for independent labor
tickets in the recent elections in Yer
mont and Maine that the wage-work-
ers recognize that their interests are
Immediately involved in the great
issue of this campaign, and that it
would be unwise and inexpedient to
assume an attitude Of Indifference in
the contest. The work of non-parti-
san education in economic questions,
which has been steadily carried on
by the knights Of labor and the gen
eral agitation Of organized labor, has
tended toward the adoption of more
practical methods of securing legisla-
ton favorable to the interests of the
wage-workers. It has made them
more Independent and discerning in
their relations with the political par
ties. It has given them a more ac-
curate knowledge of the great public
questions at issue. It has tended to
inspire a feeling of jealous regard
for their own interests and to prompt
them to make common cause, regard
less Of party, whenever those interests
are assailed or endangered.
Thus we find since the labor agita-
ton assumed its great proportions
during the past five years, that states
men and holders of civil Office, wher-
ever the working men have been as
ISOLATED and united, have found it ex-
pedient to study the interests Of Ia
Dor and to manifest friendly attitude
toward the wage-workers in their
official capacity. Those who have
openly antagOnized the workingmen's
movement have been repeatedly de
feated, and in many Instances repre-
sentatives direct from the ranks of
the working people, have been elect
ed to the national and state legisla-
lures, and candidates have been
elected on the tickets Of both politi-
cal parties, pledged to advocate the
reforms urged by the working PEG
pie
The practical results of this indie
pendence in the exercise of the right
of suffrage, have been evidenced in
the great amount Of legislation pro
tecting the interests of our wage
workers which has been enacted dur
ing the past three years, in congress
and in many of the states. A consid-
Grafton Of the greatest Importance is
thus suggested to the working people
in this campaign. It is not sufficient
/ for those who are endeavOring to
maintain the American protective
! system against the assaults of the free
traders. A most vigorous test should
be applied in the election Of members
of congress and the state legislatures.
Congressman are elected in the vast
majority Of districts all over the
country by so small major1ties that a
! judicious use of the balance of power
possessed by the wOrkingmen would
surely result in sending to the next
congress a majority pledged to OPP
! pose every attempt to introduce Brit
ish Free Trade and put American
wages down to the European level.
United States senators being elect
ed by the votes of the state Iegisla-
lures it is of the first Importance that
all candidates for state assembly and
senate should be judged by the same
test of loyalty to American industries
| and should be required to go on rec
ord in favor of the American policy
before receiving the support Of the
working people.
Such a course would be the truest
political independence and would &C
complish far more in practical results
than the exclusive policy which tends
to single out the working people as
an element entirely seperate and an
tagonistic to the great political par
ties into which the people are divided
and which, In the present campaign
cannot escape the just criticism o.
leaving the vital interests Of our wage
workers exposed to an immediate anC