Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-10-24
LONDON'S SUCC ESSFUL LEADER.
Popularity and Characteristic Traits of
John Burnes, the Socialist

Popularity and Characteristic Traits OF
John Burnes, the Socialist
John Burnes, the London socialist and
labor leader, stands out prominent figure
among the men who are fighting the
has so aptly styled the "struggle-for-
lifers." Burnes won his first victory dur
ing the Trafalgar riots. His second
triumph was the occasion Of the deck la
borers strike. On both these occasions he
prevented vast destruction of property
and maybe loss of life
How did you manage to hold those
thousands at the docks?" The Tribune
CORE spondent asked HIM
II fed them, was the reply.
Burnes boasts of al iron constitution.
and he requires it, for, night and day,
whenever called upon to do battle for the
cause to which he is devoting his life,
Jack, as his friends atfectionately call
him, is at his post. For days at a time
his wife does not see him. He does not
''agitate' for agitation's sake, nor for the
purpose of 'corralling" votes for himself
or some one else, but because he has the
welfare of his fellow creatures at heart. If
he enters the honse of commons as mem
d
a true representative of the wolkingmen
ard at their behest, and because he feels
that he will be able to serve them better
at Westminster than at public meetings.
He lives within the limit of e100 a year
He will not take penny more. This in
come is made up of pennies cheerfully con-
tributed 10y those for whom he tolls. He
fixed the amount himself, it being euuiva-
la,1t 10 biy hafora lo
workers fight. He has refused $1,000 to
go on a lecture tour through the Australian
colonies. In the London county council,
of which he is a valuable member, he sue
ceSsfully opposed the councils official and
public recognition of Stanley doings in
Africa. In walking the streets of London
he meets with friendly recognition from
pnblic officials, and even within the pre-
cincts of. v estminster he receives excep-
tional favor$ and attention from lords as
well as comuloners. His talent for keep
ing order over meetings Composed of thou
sands has earned for him the graft
tuue of the metropolitan force. A high
police official has requested him to wear
on public occasions the battered straw hat
which ho donned during the dock-laborers'
strike. 1--WE do not fear any riot when we
see that bat. 1t Is a guarantee of order,
explained the official.
Mental superiority makes itself felt, and
Burnes srec)gnizedin in many houses where
a man is not judged by his clothes. Jack"
Burnes needs no dress suit. He is at
home in the drawing room or at clock
tea. He is ready and weII-equipped for
conversation or argument as he is an om-
niverous reader. His knowledge of the
labor movement in America is 10 he mar
veled at He is IS frank and to the point
in his utterances as he is modest and un-
assuming while receiving almost homage
from the component parts of England's
social fabric. He abstains from intoxi-
eating beverages, not because he Is a PRO
hibition crank, but as an example to the
masses. 1t also spares him the company
of men who cannot control their cravings
for something too strong for them" II
do not believe in anarcbism," he said,
people are not educated up to that. In
two hundred years from now it will be
time enough to discuss the matter"