The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-09-18
TheTruth Presented.

ton, es shown by authentic history and
records that cannot be questioned, Edi-
tor Filson OF the Concordia Times, has
begun the preparation Of a pamphlet
which will review the legislation of the
period mentioned and set forth the case
OF the lsborer and the poor.
He will begin by quoting Grand Mas
ter Workman Powderly OF the Knights
of Labor. who has more authority to
speak for the people" than has any
mouthpiece in Kansas, and who, SEEM
ingly in anticipation of the one great
argument" of the self-styled refor m
ers, gave to it the lie direct. In his
annual report for 1889, these words ap-
pear:
I'VE have seen state legislatures re-
versing their former action by passing
acts creating bureaus of labor, factory
inspection acts, Saturday half-holiday
acts, Labor day acts, laws for the re-
lief of the mechanic and laborer: and
we have seen labor elevated to the
highest pinnacle in the estimation of
the law makers. We have seen the
congress of the United States enacting
laws at the request of the knights of
Labor and we have had check placed
upon the importation OF men under con-
tract to displace American workmen.
We have seen the establishment of
national bureau of labor, and have wit
messed its growth until the recommen.
dation oil the Minneapolis session of the
general assembly was presented to con-
gress by our legislative committee and
it became department"
And all these conditions and results
were brought about according to the
reformers who talk so volubly about "
ing republicans, legislation in the inter
est Of corporations, bankers and syndi-
Gates. n.f
- some Congressional Enactments.
The pamphlet will set out some con-
gressional enactments which cannot be
said to have been made in the interest
of the money power"
The Fifty-First congress passed the
convict labor bill, prohibiting the en-
ploying of convict labor on public
works.
In 1888 the public printer was in
structed to pay extra for all extra
work" and ordered rigidly Ito enforce
the eight hour law"
In 1890 the Conger pure food and
meat inspection act was passed against
the opposition OF syndicates and corpo- |
rations.
The interstate commerce law of 1887
was passed against the opposition of |
the most powerful corporations in the |
world.
The anti-lottery bill was not in the |
interest OF any corporation, but of the |
poor people whom lotteries fleece.
Congress passed u bill fOrbidding the |
use in government work OF materials |
made by convict labor.
In 1888 bill became q law establish |
ing department of labor in connection
with the national government.
In 1885 at the request of the Knights |
ot Labor, congress passed the first alien
contract labor bill prohibiting the i'm
Dortation of cheap laborers, and this |
enactment was strengthened in 1887 |
and again by the last congress.
The Chinese exclusion act of 1882 was
, severe blow to several corporations.
The international copyright law,
passed by the Fifty-first congress, will |
benefit not corporations and sydicates,
put the 1901 printers, sterotypers,
ithographers and bookbinders who find
in the United States. saw
ng nothing of the advantages that
will accrue to the tOilers with the pen.
The eight hour law, which was en-
icted in 1868. and strengthened during
Grants administration, reduced on an
lverage of about three hours the length
If the work day of the thousands in
he government employ. This reduc-
ion necessitated the employing of 90
100 more hands to do work equivalent
% what was done before. This statute
S not in the interest of syndicates and
Last rear, chiefly upon motion of the
congress passed an antitrust !
aw. In the house 1O6 republicans voted |
or it-not one democrat voted for it,
md ninety-eight democrats voted
Igainst it And yet the work of Mrs.
eases Iarty has thus far been in aid
II the democracy!
The Homestead Law.