Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-08-24
LAWYER and the miners.

Hon. Frank Lawler, OF Chicago, re-
preventative In congress from the Second
Illinois district. is in the city on q mis-.
sion Of charity and love. He is raising
bis voice IN behalf of suffering humanity
and appealing to the benevolence of
mankind. He has been engaged in the
noble work for couple OF weeks. and
his words are stirring the sympathies of
the state 10 behalf of the starving miners
and their families. Because Mr.. Lswler
is a democrat the republican press of the
state have seen III to attack and miscon-
strue his motives. The ungenerous and
contemplate accusation that Mr.. Lawler
is attempting TO manufacture political
capital for himself and party out OF the
miners strike. was taken up by the I'm
ion Yesterday morning. The first article
of the paragraph reads.
The miners strike at Spring Valley is
still in force and operation, and has re-
solved itself into a fight between the
political vampire and reconciliation and
agreement between the mine owner and
the miner. These mines belong to a
wealthy corporation. OF which William
Scott, Of Pennsylvania, is q heavy mem>
Der. Mr.. Scott, be il remembered. is q
friend Of Grover Cleveland. and was one
Of the trainers of the Mills tariff bill. So
IL will be seen where the mine owner in
this case stands. Under these circumS
stances the spectacle o. such cheap dem>
agogues as Frank Lawler and others of
his political ilk chasing up and down the
country and posing as the champion of
the suffering miner is. to say the least,
grotesque.
The above. while distorting the truth, is
calculated to create a feeling Antagonist
tic to the noble work so grandly being
carried forward by Mr.. Lswler. The
trouble is that the republican press and
managers realize that the existing state
of Affairs is reflection upon their much
boosted protection to American labor. and
because Mr.. Lswler. q democrat. is de-
voting all his energies to alleviate their
sufferings. they raise the cry of demagog.
ueism. But IL there is any glory or ro-
htical advantage to be gained by render
ing assistance 10 the miners, why don't
the republican congressman initiate the
action of Congressman Lswler and show
their maguanimity9 1t would be much
more manly than to sneeringly impugn
the divine charity which actustes the
Chicago congressman.
After the attack upon Congressman
Lawler II may not be impertinent for
democratic papers to ask why Gov.
Fifer issues no proclamation, takes no
notice Of the distressed and starv,
ing condition Of thousands of his fell
low citizens. but goes of on fishing
excursion He took great interest in
them before the election. He and
other republican speakers talked long
and loudly to these same miners about
protecting American industry; that If
they voted for Cleveland their wages
would be reduced; coal mining and
manufacturing would be crippled or bros
ken up and they reduced to poverty and
starvation. Vote for Harrison and PRO
lection" they said, then your wages will
be raised. and prosperity, peace and
plenty will follow your footsteps. They
did so. Now what is the result2 They
promised bread. but they haye given
stone. Which is the more reputable, not
to say christian like, to electioneer as
they charge LAWYER has done. by feeding
The hungry and succoring the distressed.
or like Fifer and his conferers, by fraud
and false representations The miners
can answer that question.
But as Mr.. Lawler has remarked in
several of his speeches, this is not the
time to inquire into the political aspect of
the situation. The people are starving
and IN need of bodily sustenance. The
drst duty Is to relieve their hunger To
this end 1t is hoped that all citizens will
attend the meeting at Turner hall tonight
and render substantial aid to the charita.
BILE purpose. BY virtue Of his Office
Mayor McCOnochie should lie called to
preside. and he should have charge of
whatever fund is raised.