Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-04-19
The Central Labor Union Was
Hoodwinked
ON The COURT PETITIONS
The Men khpiain How They Were
RAmbooxied Into Voting Ia Con-
tiaue the Court

amount % silIy twadaie 10 the effect
that the workngmen u the eity art
Overwhelmingly opposed 10 abclishlng
lae court According 10 the statements
the morning abb democrat organette.
the laboringmen have arisen en- masse
and as one man. demanded that the
court shall! be retained though the
heavens fail and the waters IL the SEA
be hushed forever.
Petitions drawn up by Mr. Bender
and Dir. Fyfe have been circulated
everyw here in the city by Mr.. Bender
and Mr.. t'yfe aud by the friends ~ Mr.
Bender and Mr.. Fyfe These petitions
have been taken 10 the shops and the
large manufacturing establishments
and the nea induced 10 sign them. The
argument used was that the abolish
ment ot the court would necessilate
another circuit Judge. and that would
mean marked increase IN city taxes
As the result of their y-tongued pre-
varications and their insinuating assur-
aDces, they secured several hundred sig
natures 10 petition concerning the na-
ture OF which the signers had no def
mite conception.
That Labor Union Resolution.
Later resolution protesting against
aboiishing the court was railroaded
through meeting 81 the Central Labor
union. and the report was circulated
that they had obtained the moral sup
port Of the working classes and that the
intelligent sentiment OF the laboring
men aud artisans Of the city was all on
the side 1T the superior court
To show the real extent * this in
teliigent sentiment" reporter for The
HERALD yesterday interviewed prom
inent members OF Central Labor union
and obtained from them the truth con
corning the resolution that was passed
in favor OF the court. The opinion was
almost unanimous that two-thirds Of
the delegates had little or no conception
OF what they were voting for. The reso-
luton Gas drawn up and presented 10y
Jacob Tazelaar. chairman Of the legisia-
tive committee.
Paul Randall. a member Of Typograph-
ical union. No. 81. WAS present at the
meeting and makes the following state
ment: The resolution was simply
political dodge gotten up to make cam.
paign capital for Judge Burlingame 1t
was introduced by Jake Tazelaar, who
10 professional workingman' and who
has not done days work since the
election ANfall. Tazelaar sprung the
resolution at the meeting and several Of
US opposed it on the gound that il was
political scheme anRsJmcthing in which
the Central Labor union could have no
possible interest Tazelaar protested
that the object Of the measure was to
save the court. not t. reflect Judge
Burlingane. With no discussion what
ever 81 the merits or dement's 1T the
superior court. the resolution was put 10
a vote and passed. although not three
persona who voted for it could have
given any good reason why they voted
for it The boys have since seen
through the deception. and il would be
a cold day for the man that would now
attempt to eneaks such resolution
through the union"
This shows conclusively that the ques-
ton of the utility 81 the court was not
discussed at all at the meeting. and that
the Central Labor union like many Of
the leading attorneys and prominent
citizens OF the city. was duped by the
emissaries Of the court.
Mr.. Teas Opinion.
William r. Tea. one Of the most in
telligent labor leaders in the city. voted
In favor Of Tazelaars resolution and
gives the following reason: Il voted
against the adjustment ~ the court be
cause ! wished u see Judge Burlingame
retained in Office. He's made il hot for
the saloonkeepers. | thought also that
maybe the demand that the court should
be abolished was only scheme on the
part Of the republicans 10 get another
circuit judge. have not paid any at
tention To the cost or utility 81 the su-
preme court"
This is frank statement on the part
of MIR. Tea. but il shows painfully how
little the real Issue - the case was un-
derstood by him. II is nothing short Of
an absurdity 10 pay $4,000 year FOR a
court 10 make il hot for saloonkeepers
They can be made Ia enforce the Law as
well as they do now for FAR less money
Gus Miller Explains.
Gus Miller is another ardent cham
pion IL the court. hut when asked for
: reasons said: The court is necessary
Lots Of people have said 40. OF course
don't know anything about the work
~ the court; but ! believe its good
thing"
That is intelligent sentiment that is
uniquely so. Mr. Miller admits that he
knows nothing about the court. vet he
feels intuitively that IL IN "A necessity
and ought "a he maintained even II II
bankrupis the c4iy.
Mr.. Hsdc Emphatic.
William !. HYDE. q pattern maker
and one 81 the hest informed members
- the uaion. said Il voted for the
resolution because vas told that u ths
superior court should be abolished an
other circuit judge would have 10 b,
appointed. This. they tod me-. would
ccs; a great desl more thsn the superior
court does | teAeve the taxes 10 ;he
cIty are already high enough. and s.
Ishec - Do All ~ my power 10 prevent
the passing - any lss that would need
ieseiy increSse them
EVERYBODY connected vith the gu
periof couy- knows nat even y s1oibel
circuit Judge Here necessary TIE *
psnscs would not be a quarter = The
amount j. ROW tazes a. maintain The
superior court Every psrson connected
with the court who has made fHis state
menf knows that be deliberately mis-
represented the facts sni that the mis-
repTescn iation was r5ade N order that
=. might retain snap
AIl,crt Bsn'- Position.
ALERT Pa ga p-~sert 20 the meet