The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1893-06-15
The Voice of Labor Leaders.

Inc voice OF LABOR Leaders
Terence v. Powderly: 81 have seen
the one curse in the labor cause-rum.
1t is the one reason why the laboring
man does not advance himself. My
voice has always been raised to warn
him to shun drink as he would the
flames of scorcbing hell. Show me
misfortune and | can point to some
saloon. Show me misery, it is strong
drink. The community where the
most misery prevails is the communi-
ty where the most liquor is sold. If
free from this curse our workingmen
could hew for themselves a name and
place no man of them ever dreamed
Of"
From speech before the Catholic
Total Abstinence Union, Philadelphia,
1879
HThe path of the honest industrious
workman and that of the rum seller
lie in different directions. No ques-
ton Of interest to labor has ever been
settled satisfactorily over the bar of
rumhole. No labor society ever adj
mitted a rum-sellar that did not die a
drunkard's death.
In the whole English language |
can find no word that strikes such
terror to my heart as the one word
rum.
| am Knight of Labor, l believe
that every man should be free from
the curse of slavery whether that
slavery comes in the form of mono
poly, usury, or intemperance.
Let every knight boycott the sa-
loon for five years, and we will have
an Invincible host arrayed on the side
of truth and justice.
address to Knights Of Labor.)
The liquor traffic is responsible for
nine tenths of the misery among the
working classes, and the abolition of
that traffic would be the greatest bless
ing that could come to them"
(Letter to friend, 1860
John Swinton: "The Knights of
Labor have put the traffic in liquor
under a moral and social ban by de-
claring liquor sellers prescribed
class, and thereby declaring against
them the communication which
means final damnation. In doing
this, Labor is surely undermining the
foundations Of Rum, and are pulling
down the stronghold of their worst
enemy. In my opinion ninety per
cent Of the destitution of labor is
caused by strong drink. The use of
liquor has always operated to the dis
advantage of working men in contests
Tor their rights against the unfair en-
croachments of capital | believe it
would conduce to the true labor re-
form as of the Prohibition reform if
the two would cooperate and go to-
getber."
John Jarrett: Workmen must
stand up against the evil of intemper-
ance. The manufacture of intoxicat
ing liquors represents but little of
productive labor, and its consumption
does nothing but clog the wheels Of
commerce and progress. Remove tn,
curse of drink and the workmen an(
all the people are raised to higher
level in the which all men are think
ers and workers. The sequel is clear
and prohibition will do more to ad
just the difference between labor an,
capital than all the strikes and con
flicts of past years.
p. Nj. Arthur If | could | would
! start a strike which would drive the
liquor traffic off the face of the earth
Workingmen must rise above party at
liliations and stand together at the poll
: If you are wise and earnest the saloon
will be closed forever. Every frienC
of the workingman should work fo
that end
b. NJ Jenney, jeweler, will inser