The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-21
BYNUsI AND THE PRINTER.
A Specimen of Mr.. Eynnm's Love for the
Workingman.

A Specimen of Mr.. Eynum's Love for the
Workingman.
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis JourusE
sat in the gallery of the House Of Represent
atives to-day aud listened to the Hon. Mr..
Bynum as lie postnred ss tie friend CT the worA
ingmsn in bis speech on the Chinese bill. As
listened to bis lamentations of how the wicked
Republicans had mistreated the poor laborer.
was reminded of q little incident in which Mr.
Bynum showed by his actions what true friend
of the workingman he was much louder than
by his words to-day. John l.. Kennedy, 9 citi-
of Indianapolis, q member of Typographical
Union No. !, of that city. obtained employment
in the Government Printing Office and had
worked here several years. and was gathering
around himself and family the comforts
OF home. John was good
workman. sober, Industrious aud intelligent
He was improving his spare evenings by study
to ct himself for profession, ard, IL possible.
70 better his condition OF life. He had taken up
also the study of photography. and was making
rapid progress in it Everything looked bright
TO him. His situation was apparently secure.
his pay sure. and he was encouraged TO look for
ward to the time when he could leave the ease
and be bis own man. But loi Democratic
4
this champion of the laboring man, William ID.
Bynum, who to-day was so frantic in his decla-
nations against the Republican party for its
Injustice to the workineman, appeared and de-
manded Kennedy's dismissal from his situation.
What reason do you suppose this eloquent ad-
vocate of labor of to-day gave In September.
1856. for the summary dismissal Of this work
ineman from his situation at his trade,
Because, forsooth he was q Republican and
voted in Bynum's district. Mind you. Kennedy
vas not holding a political position. Not at all.
He was simply working at his trade by piece
work-getting paid for his labor what he
earned. at rates established by the Typogrsphi-
cal Union, of which he is q member. and no
more. But he saw fit, at election times. TO use
his preroga;ive as an American citizen. and
give expression to his political opinion at the
ballot-box. and. unfortunately for the tenure of
his job, he was Republican For that reason,
and for that reason alone, Bynum went in per-
to Benedict the Democratic prin-
ter. and demanded that Kennedy
should be dismissed at onse from bis job as q
journeyman printer. Not only did he do this.
but he boasted Of it, snd sert word TO Kennedy
that he had done it.
His employment gore srd there being no
opening slsewheTs "a NashinRton for work st
his trade, Kennedy Lsd 20 J ark up his home,
give up his studiee, ,.bandee A's ambition 20
better his conditsca IN lie ani seek employ
inert in some osser clty- Being a frs1-cisss
workman. after being onffetsa a5sut for whilo
be secured employment on the New York
World, and is there now But the foundations
laid at the beginning. an1 his course Of life has
been rudely changed SJ' this eloquent advocate
of labor Of to-day from the Seventh district Of
Indiana
This incident forced itself upon my mind as
listened to his labored indignation at the hard
ships of the workinemsn and was compelled 20
say, "Oh bypocrite. thy name is surely Bynum."
AUG. l8 HoosIER.