The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-11-04
pEck,s BAD RECORD.


His Revenge Upon Democratic.
Labor Commissioner Peck, Of New
York. who is now under indictment fol
destroying public records. in his late 70
port on the increase Of wages. padded III
the request Of the national Republican
committee, makes a statement that the
carpet workers received an increase OF
wages in 1891. The New York Times
has made diligent inquiry among the
carpet workers Of that city. but ha&
failed to find one man whose wages have
been increased since the enactment Of
the Mckinley tariff. The employees Of
Higgins carpet factory. ON West Forty.
third street. state that they have had nc
advance in wages since the election Of
Harrison. That since that event. their
union has been broken up, and conse-
quently unable to enforce any demand
they might make for advance. And
that the manufacturers have shown nc
inclination to raise wages, but ON the
contrary. complain that they have &c
pay higher duties on carpet wool and
also on other materials.
Mr.. w. l.. Brewer. the president OF
the general council Of the shoemakers,
said that the wages Of shoemakers in
this state have been going down since
1883. They were reduced about IS per
cent. within a year. Inquiry among
workmen in large shoe factories, in the
city of New York. show that no advance
has been made in pay for several years.
Apropos Of the motives Of Commits
sioner Peck for issuing an alleged labor
report to boom the Mckinley bill, the
Buffalo Evening Times publishes let
ter from Hornellsville, Peck's old HON Q,
in which his former ncighbors tell tales
by no means credi;able to him. A num-
Der of years ago he ran newspaper in
Dansyille, which aroused such .
bitter feeling by his vituperative
abuse OF people. that il eliminated
in their seizing his Office and dumping
the type into the street, and he suddenly
disappeared from view. His next pub
lie appearance was III 1878, when he be-
came associate editor Of the Hornells-
vile Tribune. Here he was horse
whipped by two women. A libol suit
was brought by Mrs. Braslin. widow
residing in Warsaw. whom he attacked
in his paper. She secured q verdict Of
$4,000 against Peck.
In 1880 q large bonfire was built in
the public streets Of Hornellsville. and
Peck was burned in effigy. It was
about this time that he bolted the Demo-
cratic ticket. In 1852 he had partner
III his paper who was able 70 bring about
q reconciliation with the leaders Of the
Democrats IT the county.
Peck wrote u laudatory editorial,
nominating Hill for governor, and sent
1t to the Elmira Gazette which pub
lished it. Thereafter, he posed q the
discoyeror Of Hill, who was made
lieutenant governor with Cleveland as
governor. This is the chief reason why
Hil' espoused Pecks cause. and secured
h-s appointment by Cleveland ~ labor
commissioner. and using every effort on
later occasions TO secure his retention in
Office when his dismissal was demanded
Ivy Democrats throughout the country
where he WAS known.
In 1855 Peck forged a ciedential to the
workingmens trade assembly conven-
ton held at Rome. He claimed to he q
representative OF the Car Drivers asso-
ciaticn, Of syracuse. His deception was
soon discovered and lie was oustej from
the convention.
Ever since Governor Flower has been
In Office. the Democrats Of Horrellsyille
have been trying to have Mr.. Peck re-
moved from office. because the fact that
man Of his reputation held state
Office under Democratic administra-
ton had caused revolt in the rank and
file Of the Democratic party in 1853.
That Oh account Of Peck's appointment
the district which had averaged Repub-
lican majority Of about 600. gave Harri-
son 1900 majority. Frank Campbell.
Senator Walker and delegates from
Hornellsville and vicinity, called on
Governor Flower during the Hill
February convention and demanded his
dismissal i'll the interest Of the
Democratic party. 1t is said that Gov
ernor Flower promised to remove him
after the election. and it is believed that
Peck, knowing that his time was short,
made this report out Of pure cussedness
and revenge. believing that it would
bring him notoriety which he seemed to
crave. 1t is generally believed, too, that
Peck WAS promised to be taken care Of
after the election Ivy Harrison for his re-
ward in making this report.
And this Is the Peck that Mr.. Harri-
son quoted in his letter of acceptance to
sustain his plea for the Mckinley tariff.