Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-09-12
HARRIsoN,s RECORD ON LABOR.
HE is SEVERELY ARRAIeNED By AN IN
DIANA STATE SENATOR.


HE is SEVERELY ARRAIeNEp By AN IN
DIANA STATE SENATOR.
Mozart Hall, indianapolis, Indiana, was
crowded Wednesday night by laborlng men
who had come to hear Deputy United States
District Attorney and State Senator Leon
&, Bailey review General Harrisen's record
on the strike of 1877 and his uttersnces
then, in which, 1t is asserted, he contended
that a dollar day was a inst measure of
wages for the men then engaged in strike.
Mr.. Bailey alluded to the fact that Harrison
was nominated for the presidency at Chica-
go virtually by Chauncey M, Depew and
his associates, the actual representatives of
the railroad managers, though appearing
as delegates of the republican party, and
presenting the record OF the presidential
nominee as the advocate of Chinese i'm
migration. Mr.. Bailey alluded to Harri-
sons position as the paid lawyer of the
Ohio and Mississippi Road at the time of
the strike in 1877. The wages of railroad
employees had been cut down between 1873
and 1877 on the roads centering at Indian
apolis from an average of 81 rs to 81 per
day, for services the most onerous and re-
sponsible which any laboring man can rem
der, involving the safety of life aud OF
property of countless value. MIR. BAILEY
showed that while Mr.. Harrison took $2O,-
600 in fees from the railroad be represent
ed, he thought the strikers were getting all
thew earned when they had but 81 to sup
port their families upon.
BULLETS FOR STRIKERS.
There were, he said, two propositions
confronting the citizens Of Indianapolis
one that of arbitration, Cancellation, peace
able adjustment of conflicting differences;
the other that of intolerant Pinkertonism,
troops, coercion, the shotgun policy. Both
had their advocates. The latter plan had
done its terrible work of death and desola,
ton at Pittsburg, Baltimore, Chicago and
Reading. On the 9th of July the figures
were 179 killed and 149 wounded
It is not necessary to dwell upon the mer-
it's of the opposing claims. 1t appears that
before the very eyes of these despairing
husbands and fathers the barons OF trans
portation were declaring large profits.
But these pictures of bloodshed-of the
starving wife, the halfclad children bend.
ing over the lifeless form of husband and
father, the hired militia, the Pinkertons-
were held up in vivid and frightful reality
before the people of the Hoosier capital,
and vet there were some who favored the
promptest preparations for repetition OF
the scenes in other cities, and General Ben
iamin Harrison was among the earliest ad-
yocates of the militia movement.
The prayerful protests of the employees
were against being 'further driven to the
wall" They believed in the pure justice OF
their demands; that the last cut should be
restored: that they should not be pressed
below the surface of the great sea. Not
luxury, not even comfort-merely subsist-
ing wages was their request, and in this ap-
peal 80 strong was the element OF justice
with them that they believed all could De
accomplished through the medium OF arbl-
tration. They were first to defend and pro.
tect life and property. Three hundred OF
their own trusted companions were sworn
in for this very purpose, and, as tne OUT
come of the trouble demonstrated, they
were sincere.
The two newspaper organs which are
supporting Mr.. Harrison now supported
him then. They denounced the advocates
of peaceable methods; they belittled those
who would demand justice for oppressed
workingmen; they stigmatized these be-
grimed but honest laborers in a righteous
struggle for living wages as "Iawbreakers, "
tmobites'' and fIrioters." So did General
Harrison. The truth was to the contrary
the evidence proves it malicious lie.
Yet in the face of the truth volunteers
are organized by General Harrison and his
friends. Benjamin Harrison was made cap
tain of Company G. and the organized Ill
men, the largest company in this great
army, to be pitted against a few half-paid,
Respondent, but peaceab!e rsllroaders'
Shamel
Did this great railroad lawyer, who, as
we shall see later, denounced the strikers
as lawbreakers, ruthlessly disregard the
highest mandates of the law that he might
"coercen some poor laborer at the point o.
the bayonet? Will he plead ignorance OF
the law as he does on the Chinese record'
leave it with you but as the record ap
pears he, far above all Others, had violated
the statutes OF our State.
SHE Tipped ON THE JURY.
We will now direct our attention to Mr
Harrison in the role Of arbitrator. lie was
a member of the citizens committee select
ed To arbitrate the differences between the
roads and their employees. 1t is not neces-
sary for me to say that an arbitrator acts IN
the capacity of judge or jury: His first
REQUISITE is fair mental poise, lack of bias
of prejudice, without interest. The jury
or committee, met in thu old council cham
bsr of Indianapolis on July 26. Observe
that on July "a General Harrison enlisted
on the side of the ''Pinkerton policy and
had been drawing pay from the State at the
rate of S. per day for two days He had
already drilled and armed Company G. and
had them quartered at the arsenal Note,
too, that in February preceding he had en-.
tered the employ of the Ohio and Dississip'
ri Company, which was involved in the
strike, and then had their gold in his peck
et Do YOU grasp the situstion? He had
somehow slipped on the jury which was to
try his own clients cause.
You have heard of packed juries. What
do you think of the one which was to try
the strikers case? Now it has gone into
history that Mr.. Harrison's speech at tina
conference meeting was very arrogant
very dictatorial towards the strikers com
mittee. which was invited to be present
The newspaper reports of just what he sait
are very meagre The speech will neve
be fully known. General Harrison will
never furnish the public with copy of tina
philippe.
HARRISON's ABUSIVE SPEECH.
Now, again, did he use expressions to tn
effect that he would "shoot," resort to tn
milltia,'' 'suse the bayonet" or words of Xix
import He had already, as we have seen
put himself on the side of the sPinkertol
policy" He was captain of a company O
men whom he had organized. He arme'
them with s'the new breech-loading Spring
field rifle, a most formidable and efhcen
weapon" By his course what did he say
What are "new breech-loading Springfield
rifles most formidable and efficient weap
ons'' for2 Did Captain Harrison inten'
feeding the strikers biscuit out of the muz
zle of musket? He is called 'cold' and ''diS
tant,' Shut he would hardly undertake a
act of charity at so long a range as that
Was he intending to "storm" the men wit
golden coins? No such ammunition wa
seen at the arsenal; il was not furnished b
the State.
The cartridge boxes contained bullets
In drilling his company he taught his ms
to fire at the word of command. Did h
prepare to s.shoot?" Did he think "shoot?'
Did he act s'shoot?" Did he talk ''shoot?'
And even if he said nything upon that sub
ject, does it weaken the cause against him
read statements from eleven of the railroat
mon xubo heard Harrison's sDeech. Whic