The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-25
SEATTLE SENDS THE SPEAKERS.
The Old Men Advised to Avoid Poll.
tieians and Vote Right.
Labor Unions Action ss Being for the
Purpose of Driving Coiorsd Work
mon From the Ceast--They VIII Stay.

c&Pectcu, exnlDlkionB OF pitterncts against ths
Oregon Improvement Company and r. B. Corey
in particular
There were delegations present from all the
surrounding mining camps, and In ali perhaps
in the neighborhood of 900 people congregated
around the platform, erected on the fat, 90 lis.
ten to speakers The speeches, though hesy,
we're not such as would tend 10 incite to riot
or disorder, but on the contrary urged the con-
tinuauce of peaceable methods.
Fearing that something might turn up to
cause trouble sheriff woolery and six deputies
went out on a special train which left Seattle at
6oelock. But so quiet and orderly were the
demonstrations that IL was evident no trouble
would ensue, SO they returned on the same
train early in the evening. by order OF Mr..
Corey the saloons we're all closed, so there was
no chsnee for intoxieation, even IL any had the
desire to drink.
About l O'Clock the miners from Black
Diamond, about $50 in number, headed by the
Black Diamond band, marched to Franklin and
were met by about 300 Frankain miuers just out
side the town. They all passed along quietly
above the town aud proceeded to the fats
below, where a platform had been erected.
There were altogether about 800 people present,
including number OF ladies, and about two
dozen OF the negroes. About o'clock the band
mounted the platform, and, after playing two or
three tunes. r. Thurburn called the meeting to
order. After stating that the object OF the meet
miners arc engaged, Mr.. ThuFbnrn introduced
Robert Bridges, OF Seattle, member OF the
joint local executive board of the Knights OF
Labor Mr.. Bridges spoke Substantially a.
follows:
at Is unnecessary for me to review the his
tory OF the miners trouble here. You are all too
familiar with IL already. Itis conflict of mis-
representation against manhood. Tnrcletion to
the contract system, Mr.. Smith says the COM
pany is not opposed to labor organizations
viii only be too glad to organize you colorsd
men If you remain here, and see whether Mr..
Smith viii indose the action-see whether he
means what he says or not. The contract pro-
vides that every man having a grievance must
present his case to the pit boss, and in case no
settlement can be made, the same must be re-
ferred to the superintendent This means that
the men must be subject TO the bosses In all
things. assure you that public sympathy 10
with you except in the cases OF the
politicians and county officers, and even
th3 governor gave very little encourage
ment. The accidental governor, Laugh
ton, vetoed the very few labor measures
the legislature finally eondescended to pass.
The bill providing for Labor day alone wAa
passed and became law, because II does not In
terfere with the corporations There were min
ers in the Legislature, but some OF them dih res
have the courage OF their convictions The See
sion OF the legislature cost upwards OF sl00,0ca
and yet not bill was passed In the interests Of
the producers. The politicians nsde promises
which they have not carried out and did not in
tend 10 carry out Mr.. Corey boasts Of the fact
that he was elected mayor of Braidwood, ILL.,, by
the miners. He was elected mayor but il was
ON the shot gun ballot law. IL is too often che
case with our people that after a victory they
lie down and go to sleep until what they have
gained has been taken away from them again.
In conclusion let me say to my friends. BY
all means observe the laws of the state. You
have astonished the community by your wise
action. The militia has been held In readiness
TO come out here 4 moments notice, and,
under orders of your friend, Colonel Haines,
shoot you down, II You resort to violence Corey
will not long continue in his service this band
OF hired rufians. II is too much expense. I
would like TO see every white man refuse to
enter mine in King county until that murder
Gus rascal, T. B. Corey, leaves the state ft In
necessary for us 10 keep the work OF our COM
mittee secret, because we have been shadowed
by Pinkerton thugs I, therefore, can not ex-
plain here just what has been done. I nave
been asked II Dude Lewis or Rochester, or
some OF those other politicians would not come
out to address you. | tell you the politicians
have no sympathy for you. All they want 10
your votes, and when you have elected them to
Office you need LOOK for no favors from them"
NJ. r. Knox, of Seattle, another member of the
Knights of Labor joint local executive board,
was next introduced, and spoke substantially as
follows:
II see before me a multitude OF men. and
among them several representatives Of n race it
took millions OF dollars ana torrents OF blood to
iberatc: and they are brought here 10 menace
the rights of the whites who are subject 10 q
crueler system OF industrial slavery. l say to
you, my colored brethren. be men, do not BE-
under those Pinkerton guards, and our boys
will be with you. In the name OF God, be men.
What is this great struggle over? is there rot
plenty to eat and wear? tell you this struggle
is for right against system OF robbery The
corporations have rights. The people have given
them rights-the right TO rob those by whoss
authority they exist. Why, they would not let ~
meet here today il they could shut US out by wire
fences. tell you boys, you have forgotten TO
be free men when you have gone 20 the baiios
box have seen men who desired TO divide up,
and they were called anarchists, but have seen
others Vho desired TO divide up by taking every.
thing they could get hold OF, and they are cor
porstions. Now when you want a member for
your Legislature, you vote for Dude Lewis or
some other dude, and he goes down 10 make
laws 10 protect you. Yes, they send the Pinkef.
ton guards out here 70 protect you. IL does not
matter 10 you whether you gain or lose in this
struggle, but there is principle underlying
this that should be maintained. and thank
God you have been making an honorable tight
You have deceived your enemies, who expected
you would become violent 50 they could
get chance TO shoot you down
y don't make any difference whether you have
black faces or white ones; theEe corporations
say you must work for what they are willing 70
give you. Only few days ago a convention
composed of almost 200 intelligent representa-
tives met and laid the foundation for . move
ment that, in 1877, viii wipe out Of sxisteaes
this Internal system Of robbery. From 1852 to
1870 there was no such thing In this country ~
tramp. But how In IL today? Over two mill
lions OF people out Of employment, and when-
ever you ask for justice they load up a few hum
drcd Of them and bring them out here. where
there are two men for every Job already. ] tell
YOU boys, there is but one thing that viii free
you and that Is TO get together IN one crganizar
ton and make a stand for liberty and home,
through the fundamentally Of the ballot. II
you were in switzerland you could not 90 this.
because switzerland does not produce enough
to feed her own people; but in this country We
have an abundance and enough ieit
to feed almost as many more. Ana yes
people in one state are freezing
for want OF fuel aud burning corn:
while those In the Edjoining states are suffering
for food but have coal for the digging OF IL
Yet. because of our extortionafe system Of rail-
roads, they cannot make the exchange withous
being robbed You can change if BY means o.
the ballot. | tell you, " you nsd governor -
this state, IL wouId be but short time untA ths
Pinkerton thugs would be disbandsd You
have no governor, but tool mean no disfs-
speet for Governor Ferry, because no fs NOT
to bisme lie thinks we are anarchists There
is direct tax on the people today OF e0eosoD