Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-08-11
LABOR AGAINST HIM.
CENTRAL LABOR UNION DBN0UNCRs NOR
TON TO A NAN.
The Importer Of Cheap Contract Labor Bitterly Op-
posed by the Leading Workingmsn Of New
York 0ity-Thsy Speak in No
Uncertain Tones.

NEW YORK, August 10.-The stand ta
ken on all public questions by the Gen
tral Labor Union Of this city is considered
by leaders of labor unions to be pretty
fair test of sentiment of workingmen gen.
erally. At the meeting of that body in
Clarendon Hall the Star distributed slips
among the delegates with this question:
''Can the workiDgmen support Levi P.
Morton in view of the fact that he is an
importer of foreign contract labor, fayors
reducing the daily wages of the worker
below the ruling rate, and threatens to
employ imported Italians if they do moi
accept reductiou?"
Answers came promptly from every del
egate, and every reply showed that the
millionaire candidate must face the oppo-
sition of the workingmen.
''HE IS LABoR's ENEMY"
James p. Archibald, master workmen Of
the Painters, Decorators and Paperhanger's
National District Assembly Of the knights
of Labor, and delegate to the Central La
bor Union, Gays: 'No workingman should
support any man for public office who
prefers imported pauper labor to American
free labor. Organized labor should hold
itself aloof from party affiliations for the
present. Whenever the members of labor
unions take hand in politics they should
direct their efforts toward accomplishing
the defeat of some enemy of labor like MIR.
Morton"
Charles Rogers, walking delegate OF the
Granite Cutters Union, and one OF the
most active workers in the Central Labor
Union, answers that "the greatest evil
which threatens the prosperity of America
is the dumping on our shores Of hordes OF
psupers and criminals from the slums OF
Europe. If Mr.. Morton shows q preference
for this kind of labor he should be de-
nounced by the workingmen of America
as an enemy to progress and foe to the
best interests of this country. Hewill not
get my vote"
Phillip J. Kelly, leader of the United
Labor party in the Eighteenth Assembly
district, and an old delegate to the Central
Labor Union, answers: ut is too early in
the campaign to commit myself. l am OPP
posed, however, to the importation of for
eign laborers, and am sure wOrkingmen
generally will not vote for any one who
favors such degrading system"
John G. Jones, walking delegate of Pro-
gressiye Painters Union No. /, and one OF
the most conservative men in the Central
Labor Union, says: ut is the duty of all
workingmen to oppose any capdidante who
has shown himself Is be their enemy, as
Mr.. Morton has done. Judging from what
/ hear among the people meet every day
in my rounds, / feel sure that Mr.. Morton
has not the ghost of show to win this
time"
CONTRACT LABOR AN ACCUSED sYs-
TEN"
Thomas Killalea, prominent Central
Labor Union man and walking delegate of
the Varnishers' Union, says: aside from
my political views, l hold that accursed
system of importing paupers from Europe
to do the work that ought to be done by
free Americans should be wiped out at
once. don't see how any friend of organ
lied labor can vote in favor of any man
who favors foreign contract labor"
Delegate John G. Shea, Of the Excelsior
Labor Club replies; 81 cannot support
any man who imports foreign labor under
contract, and therefore cannot conscien-
tiously vote for Levi p. Morton. find
the feeling against Mr.. Morton very bitter
among the Knights of Labor"
James McKim, delegate from Carpen-
ters' Union No. l, answers that 'the work
ingmen should make no compromise on the
foreign contract labor question. Until
the whole business is wiped out there
should be no let-up on the people who
bring those psupers to this country to in
terfere with free American labor"
John ]. Gary, delegate of the Stair
builders Union and walking delegate Of
the United Order of American Carpenters
and JOiners, says: 81 cannot conscien-
tiously support Levi p. Morton under any
circumstances. am member of labor
union, and as such ! certainly oppose for
eign contract labor and unrestricted i'm
migration of European paupers. There
are already too many workingmen in this
country who are unable to secure work,
and every pauper who comes here throws
another American laborerer out Of work,
because the pauper is willing to work for
starvation wages. A candidate, who is
favor ofpauper immigration and who ac-
tually has given employment to this un-
desirable element has no chance of being
enthusiastically supported by honest work.
iDgmen."
LABOR WILL REBUKE HIS CANDIDACY.
Michael J. Murray Of the General Coun-
Gil Laborers' Union Protection Society
says: II am not in favor of Levi P. Nor
ton, as he is high tax man, as far as his
business is concerned, and an absolute free
trader when it comes to the employment of
labor and the reduction of laborers' wages
A man who discharges American working
men, because it is o greater profit to him to
employ, Italian paupars, will not be the
proper person to place in an office as high
rs the Yice-P Presidency, and believe that
organized labor will rebuke his candidacy"
J. F. Sullivan, who will be Grand Mar
shall of the Central labor Union parade at
the approaching Labor day exercises, and
delegate of the Piano Makers Union, says:
~ certainly shall not favor the election of
any candidate who favsrs the importation
of foreign labor under contract. Mr.. Nor
ton has shown that he either does not un-
derstand or will not know the grievances
Of organized labor, and is acting against
the interests of the American wage earners
whenever he gets tee chance. He is act
uated only by his own interest and he
tries to lower the rate of wages a. much rs
possible. How the toiler shall support
himself and his family for 81 day is q
hard nut to crack, but Candidate Morton
does not worry il. No, Morton will
never be my choice"
RESPONSIBLE FOR HARD TIMES.
Franz Schmidt, delegate Of the Machin-
ists' Progressive Union, No. 9, to the Ger;
man Federation Of Trades. says: 81 am
against Levi P. Morton ard all other cspi-
talists who act rs he has done. The man
talks about protection of labor, and ut the
same time he oppresses the laborer. What
good does it DO us if they put a prohibitory
tar on merchandise manufactured in Eu-
70 thaxv sp,x,nrk .ha x-,.. l.. =