davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01
Unite and Organize.

In union there is strength, and in
disunion there is weakness. We all
remember the old story of the father
and his six sons to whom he gave q
bundle of six sticks requesting them to
break them as they were bound to-
gether. they all tried but failed; then
the father took the bundle apart and
they broke them one by one very easily.
The moral of the story was, that as
long as they were united they could
not be broken but disunited they
would be an easy prey to the enemy.
So it is with the farmers to- day. They
are preyed upan and broken by rings,
combinations, trusts and syndicates
with whom they have to deal because
they are detached from each other.
They should adopt the motto of Ken
lucky, united we stand and divided
we fall, and unite into compact bod
les organized to act with the precision
of a pendulum and the force of tidal
wave. Then they can meet organiza-
ton with organization and put an
effectual guietus on the schemes of
those who deal with them by trying to
crush them individually. Organiza-
ton is paramont necessity and the
sooner the better for delays are dan
gerous.-Bluffton Ind.) Watch
Tower.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

God, the people are not consulting
these mendacious Wall street echoes as
they have done in the past. They
simply lie when they say I'VE have
more money per capita in circulation
now than ever before" The falsehood
is repeated by credulous partisans, who
believe anything from their old-time
leaders. The truth il, we have in
actual circulation little over one-third
that of 1866. r. Dunning, of the
National Economist, shows that we
have less than 10 per cent. per capita
in circulation. 1t is one thing to have
SO per capita in existence, and quite
another in its effect upon the business
of the country to have it in use. The
gold ring and creditor class can no
longer make the industrial people be-
ieve they "are prosperous" so by sub
terfuge and downright falsehood they
seek to divert their attention from the
real cause of the general depression.
Let them impeach my witness if they
can. Traternally yours,
JOHN SEITZ.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

section Of the constitution that they
come in conflict with, but have not
yet found the man that could do us the
favor. For argument sake, let US say
it is unconstitutional. Since that doc
ument was framed the changed condi-
tions of affairs have made it necessary
to amend it no less than fifteen times.
Every time these demands are dis
cussed they gather new advocates; and
if it was in the power Of our enemies
to put speakers in the field and wipe
them out root and branch, it would be
done at any cost. We invite discus
sions, for the truth is what we are
seeking, but the opposition is content
to stand off apd denounce in hope that
the alliance will split. For this hope
they will wait without the hope of re-
ward, for the people are determined to
have legislation that will give every
man chance in life.
trust and believe we will get re-
lief. As for the form and detail we
care nothing, but the cry of equal
rights has gone forth and will receive
no answer but just laws that treat oil
men alike.
1 thank You for the very patient
hearing you have given me, and trust
you will study these questions for
yourselves, and am satisfied you will
arrive at proper conclusion. These
questions must stand on their merits,
or fall by their injustice.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

the rvcr the grade is foot down for
every 80 feet; under the river, ! foot
d 1wn in every 1000 feet toward the
Canadian side to that drainage shaft.
over 1000, 600 cubic feet of soil was
taken from the tnnnel itself The cast
iron lining OF the tunnel weighed
$1,000, 900 pounds. To fasten tn lining
s2s, $50 steel bolts scvcn-cighths OF an
inch in diameter were used. The Cana
dian open cutting is 3.ly3 feet
long; the American, 2,5a2 feet long.
The total length Of the tunnel and its
approaches is 725 feet.
in Port Huron Aug 26, 1890, was re-
corded ore OF the large t mortgages ever
given in Michigan. 1t was for s2, 500. ooo
The st. Clair Tunnel Company ga it
to secure bonGs running fifty years and
bearing ) per cent. annual interest coy
cring all the present property of the
company. Rent and tolls can be col
lccted for allowing other railways than
the Grand Trunk system to use the
tunnel.
1t is believed that the Grand Trunk
route, as thus improved will offer ia iii
ties for through communication between
Chicago and all points In the East which
will be appreciated by pas :cngcrS and
shippers There will be no more trouble
from ice bio KS or other Instructions in
the river and the best time will te made
for traffic Of all kinds.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01
bic. For some time 1t was thought TIE

bic. For some time 1t was thought tie
tunnel might have to be abandoned.
compressed air was found q sure rene
dy. At the river line on each side,
brick and cement. air tight bulkheads
were built across the tunnel Each
bulkhcad had two air chambers. one on
each side. : feet in diameter and II feet
long, with alright doors at each end
Through each ar chamber lassed "A
car track. Inside the tunnel, beyond
the bulkhead, work was begun under
an air pressure of 10 pounds to the
square inch. From time to time the air
pressure was gradually incrt ascd, until
the men worked under an artificial
pressure of 80 pounds Ter square inch,
a total atmospheric rcssurc of 81 pounds
per square inch, or about % at
mosphercs. On the Canadian side the
highest air pressure was used because of
quicksand On the American side com
pressed air was used from AEriI :, 1890:
on the Canadian, May %, 1880.
Because Of water and quicksand the
st Clair tsnncl could not have been
constructed without the aid of hydraulic
mining shields. Such shields had been
used successfully in London, Chicago,
Buffalo, broadway tunncl. New York
other works. This shield is a cylinder.
like a headess barrel. Its front end
has sharpencd edges to cut into the
earth. The thin rear end is called the
hood. The in-ide is hraccd with iron,
both vertical and horizontal. Around
the main walls are sets Of hydraulic
Jacks. Each jack has valve whereby
it may be cut Off at any time from the
pump that supplies the jack. The ma
sonry, or iron plates. of the tunnel, be-
ing built up within the thin hood of the
shield, air is supplied to the jacks and
the shield is forced ahead, usually the
length of the pstoas of the Jacks, or
about two feet. TIE shield having ad-
vanccd the men remove the soil from
the front of the shield. Everything be-
ing in readiness the shield is again
rrshcd 80 war1. .he tunnel walls built
up. and the eXcavated soil removed.
Each Of the ST Clair tunnel shields
weighed eighty tons.
The American shield was started July
IL. 1854, the Canada 5 pit u. 1889, and
they mot at 1l::.0 p. m, August 30, 1850.
The shields shells were left in the tun-
tunnel and the tunnel walls laid up in
them. i he American had done the most
work, and the easiest progress was To-
ward CaIada, the average being ten feet
each day.
The tunnel approaches have the same
general appearance Of solidity aS the
tunnel itself On each side of the great
cuttings are high and deep stone retain
ing walls. Each portal is 80 feet high
and l4s feet wide, about 10 feet thick
over the entrance of the tunnel, and
about half that wild h at each end. Like
the retaining walls the ortals are made
of rough, heavy lime stone blocks. Over
the entrance of each rortal IS inscribed
"St. Clair, 1899" The diameter of the
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01
THE DIGNITY OF LABOR.

The master of n trade may proudly sing:
4 am a power on the earth, and earn
The right to call myself man. turn
The wheel Of progress, and feel king
Among the useless droneS The shame and
sting
OF charity know not. for I learn
To Use my gifts. The highest plane yearn
To reach, to merit all that life may bring
"Who earns not, steals his dinner thus the
old
Proverb runs. We may labor with the heart
If not with hand and brain In every part
The world is full of agony untold.
That cannot be assuaged by all the gold
OF earth: and yet. kindness done may start
The tears that soothe all pain--may pluck
the dart
From festered wound which else might keep
its hold.
All honor to the brown and skillfll hand.
The swell of muscle and the nerve like steel
That conQuers obstacles, that turns the
wheel
or progress rounl: they cultivate the land.
And build the mighty temples, vast and grand
They labor for the good and common veal
OF mankind, ard bear the royal seal
OF mighty labor's independent band.
Henry Coyle in New Nation.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

1t is really amusing to read the COM
ments of the democratic press of the
north and the recent trip of the Hon.
Jerry Simpson through the south.
This press has been constantly inform
ing their readers that the alliance in
the south was solid for the democratic
party, yet Messrs. Simpson and Weav-
sr were constantly talking in favor of
third party, and whenever either of
them referred to it, the people went
fairly Wild in cheering the sentiments.
And now the democratic press excuses
it and says that it was only an evidence
of the good feeling that exists in the
south toward the north. Why was not
that good feeling exhibited toward
Gen. Weaver when he made his tour
of that section nine years ago as a
presidential candidate? The fact of
the matter is that the alliance through
its educational feature has changed the
whole public sentiment in the south,
| and created this better feeling. And
the democratic party is not entitled to
any credit for the same. If the lead
ers of that party in the south had
their way to-day they would encourage
bitterness and hate. The real truth
of the situation is that under alliance
rule free speech and free thought has
been encouraged in the south, and it
is mystery to the people of that sec
tion how they come to be led so blind
ly by their leaders. They find that
their leaders, like the leaders of the
| republican party in the north, have
for years been fostering a spirit of ha-
tired as means of perpetuating them
selves in power. The cry of the dem
ocratic press that the south is still true
to the democratic party, is delusion,
as the leaders of that party in the
north who have been cheek by jowl
with the leaders of the republican
party will soon find out to their sor-
row. The solid truth of the matter is
that the democratic party of the south
to-day is but a mere shell, composed of
| a small lot of Office holders, and they
are aware that this is the case. An
other three months will show the
leaders of that party of the north the
| true situation. National Citizens Al
lance
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

circ,e IS 90 feet, and flush with the
tunnel.
The average number Of men cmpIoyed
was 700. In the tunnel eight hours
made days work. The tunnel was
estimated to "ost 81. 500, 900. inc ,uding
plants. materials and la or and it re-
quircd about that sum 1t is likely that
second tunnel will be built near this.
The present plants and experience will
then be Of additional value. The second
tunnel will be Of cast iron. as it is supo-
rior to brick and cement for similar
tunnels.
The st. Clair tunnel Is c.0OO feet long.
To the rivers edge on the American n
side 1t is 1,1lG feet; on the Canadian,
l.994 feet: under tho river, 3,a9O feet
Tho ont ida diameter Of the tunnel is
Il feet the inside 10 feet 10 inches
tunnel nearest the river is :. 43 feet from
the river. At its lowest point the top
of the tunnel is 81. So feet below the
level Of the river. From each portal to
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

six feet below the leyel of the water: the
rivers greatest depth o.47 feet, and its
width nearly half q mile. The strata
were yellow sand about two feet; with
sand and blue clay mixed about twelve
feet, thence to the rock about twenty
one feet of blue cay. Plans and draw
ings were made. The ST. Clair Tunnel
Company was organized in 1856. At
first the company thought OF starting
from immense shafts on the shore, and
then working outward to the land ap
proaches. In 1856 test shafts were sunk
on each side Of the St Clair River;
drifts at right angles were started under
the liver; water and gas stopped work
In 1887 these shafts were begun The
American one will be used as VEN
tilator.
The tunnel plants were erected back
from the river; in Michigan about l,sOo
feet, in Ontario about 900 feet Each
pant contained boiler house, hosting
or winding engines, a ventiIating en-
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

Of tho most remarkable engineering
feats of the present day The Grand
Trunk Railway extended its lines to
Chicago in 1880. About 5000 miles Of
railway will use this tunnel. Previously
steam ferries had been used Their
service has not been altogether satiSfac-
tory because the rivers current is very
swift; in winter there have been ice
jams: the railway had 10 deyiate about
six miles: bridge was impossible, owing
to the nature of tho ground and the op-
position of the marine interests The
st. Clair River bears the most commerce
of any stream in the world.
In 1854 preliminary surveys were
made. Borings found the rock eighty
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

gine, an air-hlowcr with a capacity of
10000 cubic feet OF air per minute, n
machine shop with machines for tunnel
work, a water pump for the pit, and an
electric light plant. The tunnel will be
lighted by electricity. The electric plant
is in Sarnia. where permanent brick
boiler and engine rooms have been
erected.
The great cuttings for the approaches
were commenced New Years, 1850
Each cutting was made about sixty feet
feet deep al t @ Eol ta. The Canadian
cutting at it, brOadcst portion is 26O feet
wide, the American about 200 feet wide
1n.O each pit inclined tracks were laid
for engines to laal out the dirt On the
banks derrickS wore erected for hoiStiny Z
the soil. In September. 1890, steam
shovels began work on the cuttings. On
each side O. the river two shove,s were
used, each attended by an engine and
train of fat cars. Several hundred men
were employed night and day, lime
lights beng used at night. and the soil
was removed in layers. The work of
these shovels was greatly hindercd by
rains and numei ous landslides occurred
he tunnel walls are made of cas-
iron, suggested by Chief Engineer Hob
ments and key. Each segment is 4
feet 10 inches long. Is inches wide, and
2 inches thick, with flaeges inside of | 81
inches thick and inches deep In each
segment were cast 81 holes. in each
end flange and IL in each side flangc.
Through these holes passed steel bolts
seven eighths of an inch in diameter
In each sect on of the tunnel the cir
cu ar joints required 157 bolts and
the longitudinal joints required Sc bolts
The flanges took in circle of 20 feet
and ) inches in diameter. The edges OF
the p'ates were plancd in the machine
shops near the tunnel entrances Each
plate was then heated and dipped In cold
tar. This had been found better than
to dip the cold iron into hot tar For
merly the tar wonld not dry quick
enough; later the tar was dried by the
time the segments were cool TIE seq
ments were lifted to place by a circu ar
crane revolving on a spindle in the cen
ter of the shield. This spindle had a
wise at one end and a counterbalance
weight at the other.
When the bed of the river was reached,
Quicksand and water made great trou-
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01
.SI.r2S.S.a,66S


"Since which time" said Logan.
contraction has gone on until the
whole amount of currency of every
kind now outstanding is only $742,-
OOO. 1000"
You see from the above that both
Hugh McCulloch, secretary of the
treasury, and Senator Logan counted
these various kinds of notes as part of
the active, circulating currency of the
country. But here is another witness,
and I think more entitled to credit
than the partisan eloquences of to-day,
who are trying by false statements to
hide from the suffering people the
crine of the nineteenth century. Con-
traction-destructio of the means of
payment-to fasten upon free-born
Americans perpetual debt slavery.
Gen. L. E. Spinner, United States
treasurer, when the above notes were
issued, including the 83O,0O0,000 of
"7-3Os, in reply to John G. Drew, one
of the editors of the New York 7'rib-
atne, in letter dated, Mohawk, n. Y,
Aug. II, 1876. said:
SIRs: Your letter of the 18th inst.
has been received. In answer have
to say that the seven-thirty notes were
intended, prepared, issued and used as
money. Very respectfully yours,
T. Z. SPINNER.
Here is proof conclusive that nearly
two-thirds of the paper money was de-
stroyed from 1868 to 1874. The people
were forced into debt and payment
made impossible. Now instead of re-
penting of this crime against human
ity and joining the people in their
efforts to extricate themselves from in
dustrial bondage, they have the gall
to tell us farmers we have produced
too much, or we "sit too much at the
street corners talking politics, instead
of pushing our work at home as we
should do to be prosperous. Thank
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

There are 1900, 600 mortgaged homes
in America. Usury on money averages
five times the product of industry.
Railroad monopolies are paying divid-
ends on stock averaging five times
greater than their actual investment,
besides paying interest on debts equal
ing their stock, real and fictitious.
Rank monopolies are fostered in the
privilege of growing richer and richer
ut the expense Of the toll and suffering
of those who are growing poorer and
poorer. Great trusts set aside natural
competition, and the law of supply and
demand, and the failures in legitimate
business stare us in the face every.
where to the tune of $40O, ,0OO, 900 loss
to creditors in the single year of 1890.
-Pendleton (Ore.) Alliance Herald.
The action providing for the con-
traction of the currency was passed
and approved April IL, 1886. The
vote in the house, as shown by the
public records, stood as follows:
For the bill-republicans. 55; dem
ocrats, %; total. SO. Against the bill
republicans, 50; democrats, l; total,
3d..
In the senate but seven republicans
and no democrats voted against it.
Thus it will be seen that a majority OF
both old parties voted in favor of this
Infamous system that has wrought
ruin to millions, and both old parties
will keep up the contraction as long
as they are kept IN control of national
legislation.-Emporia Standard.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01
In digging out the colossal statu

In digging out the colossal statue
of Rameses II. nine feet and four
inches of consolidated Nile mud had
to he removed before the platform
was reached. This platform was laid
l.361 years before Christ. in the reign
of Rameses. Hence, three and one
half inches of this consolidated mud
represents a century, there having
lapsed 3,215 years since then. Under
the platform depth of thirty feet of
Nile mud had to be penetrated before
sandy soil was reached. and, according
to this, 10000 more years must have
elapsed. Pieces Of pottery were found
there that show the Egyptians to
have possessed enough civilization to
form and bake vessels of clay $4,000
years ago.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

We dare not waste our time to hear &
What the unthinkine world may say; +,
Where duty points. we will not fear,
To follow where IL leads the way.
And If this same unthinking world
May deem our language harsh and strong,
We only know truths shafts are hurled,
To smite whate cr is base and wrong.
With suIs to hear, shall we be dcafs
With eyes to see, shall we be blind.
With power to aid, give no relief
To help our wronged and suffering kind?
Let truth forbid such be the case,
To mar our life lines with its curse,
Last we forbear to take our place
For right, through better, or the worse.
Where'er we look DER all the EARTH
We see the poor on every hand.
Doomed from their very hour of birth,
And branded with oppresSionS brand.
Compelled to work for wages seant.
With little hope from year to year,
To pass beyond the verge of want.
Where gnawing doHbt viii disappear.
And If we see how human laws
Have helped injustice by their aim,
For seeking to remove the cause
Words should be neither weak nor tame.
The basest form Of human life
That ever trod the human stage
Is reproduced amid the strife
That marks this bustling, selfish age.
And from this cause has grown a clan
OF human monsters. modern Gains,
To prey upon their fellow man.
BY use OF their abnormal brains.
The factory lords and corporate kings,
United in their several ways,
Through combines, trusts and robber rings,
Are experts in the part each plays.
With avarire their brains are pipe;
Their COLLEGE culture OF the mind
Otitranks their ancient archetype
In crueltlcS that's more refined.
The dubious means and thieyiSh ways,
Devised with 50 much skill and care,
Are footprints. in these latter days,
Made by our modern millionaire
1t is the same old story told.
Earth strong against its weak and least,
Asserted as IN days of old.
| By ermincd judge and supplied priest
| No matter how the toiling poor
Wealth adds to its ili-gotten store,
The putoCratic harvest thrives.
| The plutocrats. they try to crush
The rights that freedom has declared:
For those they cannot bribe or hush
| Their cross is raised, their ak is barred.
And not until the people stand
| As one united force To meet,
VIII this. our modern bandit band,
| Face justice and its sure defeat.
| We represent the toiling poor,
! We aim to seek for them and theirs
| What is their right and nothing more.
| Through thought and speech, and earnc
prayers.
| And if our words are not SO choice
| As called for by the cultured ears,
| They truly represent and voice
| Truths freed from any coward fears
-Nox.. in Onr Own OviniOn
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

The ceremonies by which the st.
Clair River tunnel was formally dedi-
Gated were the most elaborate of any
ever he'd In that section. Extensive
preparations had been made both at
Port Huron, Mich. on the American
side, and at the town OF Sarnia, at the
Canadian entrance to the great tunnel
which now connects the Dominion with
Unclo Sans domains Sir Henry Tyler,
President OF the Grand Trunk Railway,
with other officials and prominent pub
lie men Of both the United States and
Canada, made an Official trip through
the tunnel, stan ting from the American
side. They were treated, upon their
arrival in Canada, to a royal reception,
after which they returned to Port Huron.
where banqucting and speech making
again awaited them.
The St Clair tunnel, on the Grand
Trunk Railway of Canada, extending
under tho st. Clair River between Sar-
nia, Ont, and Port Huron, Mich, is ono
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01
Money We are told will bu'

Money We are told will buy more
than it ever did before. And this is
said to prove that the demands of the
farmer are extravagant and unjust.
That is all right for the man who hap
pens to have the money, but how is it
for the poor fellow who hasn't got it
but must have some. He must sell
what he has got to get a small amount
of what he hasn't got and can't get
without sacrifice. Scarce money
makes dear money, and dear money
makes cheap horses, cattle, lands and
merchandise. This is good for the
man tt st buys but tough on the poor
fellow. that has to sell. Give the poor
man q chance.-Georgia (Ala.} Living
Truth.
The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-01

If old politicians can keep farmers
fighting each other they will be all
right. See the farmers they put on
their tickets and then defeat them.
See the farmers they are promising
and encouraging to run for Office with
no intention of nominating or electing
them. How long are the farmers going
to be made fools of? How long will
they continue to go out in the cold
carrying wood that these politicians
may keep warm and grow fat. Free
Press.