Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-20

The following 10 the full text Of the
remarks Of Mr.. Nichols Of this city before
the Judiciary committee on the Clsson bill !:
Mr.. Chairman snd Gsnilsmen Of the
Comnittse-I an sent hsss BY IN osgsniza-
ton OF wofkingmen, Of which l am one,
snd shalt endsavss b voies the sentiments
Of those / represent; and q the outset /
assufe you In regard 70 this bill, that We
have given u careful consldsSasion; We
have studied Il; " have discussed IL; and
~ ere unanimous Ia declaring that this
bill q introduced By Mr.. Clason nests
with our unqualified approval; 10 In fact
good enough for ns. and II good enough for
us, Is will answer the purpose for which
Il VS. designed; for We sre those of
whom it IL said, they are bought
SD sold. For We aSe those Of whom 10 il
sald they vote, not ~ they think. but -
they sse hired. driven or cajoled. We not
Osly suffer this injury but are hefAlded, o.
the guilty authors Of our own grievance.
But tell you. Mr.. Chairman, 1t Is not
rs, but this corrupt system, which Is
responsible for this wrong. And we
workingmen have now psrtaken 20 much
Of the tree Of the knowledge Of good and
evil; that no ng leaf Of Thsyer bill will
cover our shame.
We want the opportunity to nominate ~
well ~ vote effectively for any
one whom We desire. Profes-
sional men, merchants. and the we'll to
do generally, are not the ones commonly
accused Of being unduly influenced At the
polls; which disbonor 10 forced upon many
workingmen by circumstances entirely
beyond their control. Not theirs but ours
ere the names from which the ward poll
ticisn makes up his catalogue Of shame.
How 10 IL possible to maintain the dignity
Of labor against such odds2 II IL all too
common an experience for the members Of
these industrial organizations to study and
discuss for months the merits Of some re-
form measure Of special interest and inn
poftance to them, and only astainable
through legislation and to decide without
one dissenting voice, that such measure Is
right, and while there may be no real COM
pact TO tbst effect, vet each one expresses
his hxed determination that his vote shall
be consistent with his convictions. And
yet, when election time arrives, they are
confronted with difficulties like these.
While one il In the grasp Of his grocer whom
hc cannot psy, another must vote under the
eye Of his employer whom he dare not
offend; ard still another aspircs to higher
social position and must perforcs
keep on the right side of
some neighbof likely to assist him 10
that direction, and so on. clear down
through the list; till. the vote Of the few
only, 10 free and honest expression OF
theis convictions, while the many have con
tented themselves with praying for the
reform measure. and voting against IL.
Now this Is all wrong. Instsad Of con.
tiuuiny 81 stem under which it Is difficult
to obtain free and honest expression OF
the convictions Of every citizen; . system
should be established under which it would
be difficult TO obtain anything else, and
easy 20 obtain that. While we working
pmen have undertaken to help ourselves,
yet do we look for our redemption,
to men IN higher places. And We expscs
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen Of this com
mit,ee, that il you are satisfied, that, under
the present system, . considerable portion
Of the workinsmen Of our Stste are exposed
to coercion, bribery, fear Of ridicule, or
their employer, or Of social or CONNER
cisl injury; and IL you recognize 10 this
bill prospective remedy, or even mitiga-
ton Of the evil, that you will feel your
selves constrained to report fsvorahly on
this bill.