The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-10-21


Who 10 Rssposibls for Its Dsssats
On the 9th OF June. 1902. the Republic
Gan national convention at Minneapolis
adopted the following rs part Of the
platform:
We favor efficient legislation by congress
% protect the life and limbs Of all employees
Of transportation companies engaged In
carving ON interstate commerce, and re-
commend legislation by respective states
that will protect employees engaged In state
commerce, In mining and manufacturing.
This il one Of the many promises that
was never intended to be carried ont.
II was inserted in tho platform to catch
votes.
What was the Republican United
States senate doing at the time OF the
adoption OF this platform ct Mime
arolis2 1t had been in session six
months, and the car coupling bill
recommended by the various organiza-
tions Of the railway employees had not
been considered, even by committee
of the senate. For years ago, the Re-
publicans promised the railway men Of
Indiana that, IL Harrison was elected,
the proper legislation for the uniformity
Of car coupling, to protect the trainmen
from injuries, would be enacted. Mr..
Harrison in his letter of acceptance,
four years ago, dweit especially upon
this promise. This induced large
number Of railroad men IN Indiana to
organize Harrison railroad clubs, and
there is no denying the fact that they
contributed considerable to the success OF
the Republican ticket four years ago.
Harrison was inaugurated president
March A, 1889. On the first Monday OK
December. following. a congress. Repub-
lican in both branches by safe work
iny majority, assembled. That congress
remained in power until the 4th OF
March. 1891. Under the arbitrary rules
Of the house, any measure that was
agreed to by the Republican caucus
went through regardless Of opposition
from the minority. Was the car coup
ling bill ever considered? 1t was not
even introduced.
What did the Democratic house do ON
this question in the last session? II any
railroad man will turn to the Congress
sional Record Of July 8, 1882, he will
find that house bill No. $3.50, entitled
IAN act to promote the safety OF en-
ployes and travellers upon railroads by
compelling common carriers engaged in
interstate commerce to equip their cars
with automatic couplers and continuous
brakes, and their locomotives with
driving-w brakes and for other pur-
poses," passed the house under the
suspension Of rules. Railroad men may
thumb page after page Of the Congress
sional Record, but they will find moth
ing in the proceedings Of the senate
showing the passage Of this bill recon-
mended by the grand lodges OF IA
Brotherhood Of Switchmen, Railroad
Trainmen, Locomotive Firemen. Loco
motive Engineers, Order Of Railroa<
Conductors and National Association O
Railway Surgeons. And yet the ssnas
has Republican majority OF ok, AM
all the committees OF the senate are
control Of the Republicans.
In order to kill the bill, and at tn
same time deceive the railroad men,
was referred to the committee ON com
merce where hearing was ordered, an
testimony taken for the purpose Of kill
inc time, but ostensibly to ascertd
whether the bill should pass or not,
The house committee on commerc
did not wade through tedious testimon
TO determine whether the bill shout
PASS or not, but acted upon petitio
signed by over 10000 railroad men, a
recommended by the grand lodges
various organizations. 1t reported Il
bill TO the house on June 81, and q
July 8 it was passed under the susps'
sion of rules. The senate remained
} session for over one month aftsr
received the car coupling bill, durir
which time it passed . largo number
. Jobs. Had the Minneapolis promise bet
made In good faith, the Republican ~
ate would not have allowed tho bill
slcep on the calendar when II adjourn
sine die.
The report Of the house commit
shows that in the year Of 1890 the
were %, 39e railway employees injured
Incident and 2,45l killed.
A GOOD PLACE TO STAMP
!. THE HEAD OF THE ROOSTER.