Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-08-07

As the workingmen of Pennsylv.

As the workingmen of Pennsylvania
have a peculiar interest in the present
State contest they could not organize too
early for the accomplishment of their
political ends. While the toilers-the
men in the mines and factories, at the
carpenters bench and the anvil of the
blacksmith-seekn no special favors of the
State, they demand an equal participa-
ton in the government, and thorough
reform of inveterate abuses under which
few are enabled to enrich themselves at
the expense of the many. In order,
therefore, to obtain the due weight to
which they are entitled as political
factors they will have to organtze-not,
as heretofore, in party clubs, to be
marchad against each other by party
bosses and drill masters, but as working
mems associations.
For the formation of workingmen's
clubs, without regard to party, to con-
slider the issues in the contest for
! Governor, five earnest men in each dis
trict would be enough for nucleus of Or
ganization. When once started by pub
lic-spirited workers the local clubs would
rapidly grow. Out of the smaller clubs,
of which meetings should be held at
least one evening in week, county and
district organizations would soon be de-
veloped, and larger meetings held, to
which speakers in full sympathy with
the workingmen of Pennsylvania and
with their political aims could be in
vited. To people who are more familiar
than all others with the means of spon-
taneous organization for the attainment
Of any desirable political or social end
hint only on this subject is necessary.
In the organizations of workingmen
thus formed the records of the two can
didates for Governor of PENNSYLVANIA
could be most thoroughly canvassed,
without regard to any side-issue; and
upon these records the workingmen could
make up their decisions at the ballot
box. In the four-years administration
by Robert E. Pattison of the office of
Governor there is nothing which needs
defense, apology or explanation. The
record speaks for itself. The supporters
of George w. Delamater should be will
ing to submit the record of his public
service to the same rigid test. If
during his term in the Pennsylva-
mia Senate his votes have been
in the interest of honest labor, this
should be put down to his credit. If, on
the other hand, it shall be seen that, so
far from serving the canse of labor, he
was the willing and active legislative
servant of powerful monopoly con-
trolling the supply of one of Pennsyl-
vania's great staples, he should be sternly
held to the record. If it should be
shown at the same time, on the highest
Republican testimony, that his nomina-
ton was the shameful product of an in
solent and selfish Boss Rule, controlling
Federal spoils in his favor, the verdict of
every Workingmen's Club in which the
name of the Commonwealth is held in
respect should be launched against him.
Besides powerfully promoting the edu-
cational purposes of the State campaign,
Workingmen's Clubs would prove effect
. i've agencies for exposing and defeating
the partisan intrigues set on foot foi
wedding the unwary out of their votes
Self-styled friends of labor, sweating
with sympathy for the poor working
man, and with the "boodle" of Monopoly
in their pockets, will roam up and down
the State under the orders of Chairman
Quay. Already spawn of so-called labor
organs is springing into existence under
the same auspices, with the mission
of dividing workingmen by persuadng
them to put a State ticket in the field In
this way it is hoped to draw off from
Governor Pattison large portion of the
army of labor that is now mastering to
his support.
But if the workingmen of Pennaylva-
MIA shall thoroughly organize for the
campaign, secure full discussion of its
real issues, and prepare to throw theil
solid strength upon the ballot-box, all
the intrigues of machine managers,
backed by corrupt power, can not prevail
against them. In this contest Robert E.
Pattison is the workingmen's candidate.
He has earned his position by his manly,
courageous and steadfast defense of their
rights and interests. Record.