The Portland daily press., 1894-11-08


nounced opinions which he enunciated.
1t was on one memorable occasion, Whilst
the youthful orator was being led off
Chaplain Common--a big open space
partly in Battersea-that he aroused the
sympathy of the charming lady who is
now the partner of his joys and sorrows
and a willing helpmate in the arduous
work which falls to his share. All this
Time John was an ardent socialist-one
might almost say revolutionist, as in
deed he is still depicted by some of the
TORY papers, and his share in the battle
OF trafalgar Square cost him and Mr..
cunningham Grahame, another hot
FLOODED enthusiast, six weeks enforced
seclusion in one of her Majesty's palatial
establishments.
Soon after this came the big Dock
strike and from this may be dated the
John Burns of today. Whatever may
have been the rights or wrongs of that
gigantic struggle, there can be no doubt
tnat 1t was led in manner which saved
London from terrible scenes, and which
earned the respect and sympathy of the
general public at home and abroad.
Dockers are not gentle by nature and less
firm handling might have led to disas-
trous results. But for one shall never
forget the masterful manner in which
the legions of strikers were managed.
Burns had with him good helpers in
the persons of Ben Toilet and Tom Mann
and others, but his was the hand which
guided the reins. No one who had any
thing to do with the strike can forget
those meetings on Tower Hill in the
early monring, at which progress was
reported and hope and ENCOURAGEMENT
held out nor those daily marches through
the streets of a crowded city which
handful OF policemen were able to con-
troll. Such scenes could hardly have been
witnessed n anv ofhar 1apita1 in the
world without turmoil and bloodshed:
and when at last the Decker was placed
in possession OF living wage" the
full round orb of the Dockers' tanner
the results of the strike was far reaching
and important. Here it was that there
commenced that upheaval in the ranks
of unskilIed labor in this country the
end Of which is not yet-the beginning
of movement which has put it's mark,
"writ LARGE on the history of England,
Until even strong governments are COM
PEELED to study the labor vote.
In the organization of unions which
followed Burns took leading part,
some hundred of them being due to his
initiative, and some fortry strikes, nearly
all successful, being under his conduct.
So proud were Battersea people of him
that VIXEN the London county council
was first elected they insisted upon his
being one of Lheir two representatives,
the senior member for Battersea taking
no small share in forming the labor
policy of that important body. But it
was felt also that the House of Com
mons was a place which he would adorn,
and the eminently respecta BILE and fairly
advanced Liberal who at that time oc-
cupied the set for Battersea found the
signs so unmistakable that he discretely
made way for Burns. The official Lib
erals, many of whom don't like the labor
mo a a q oil
lawyer to raise the vacant place; but ne
had hardly been five minutes in Battersea
when he found that he was not wanted,
and he went back to headquarters with
the report that no one stood a chance
against Burns. The Tories rushed in
where the Liberals feared to tread and
put up a wealthy stock broker, who
devoted much time and much money to
the task of defeating the choice of the
people. He was beaten by handsome
majority, and John went to the House
of Commons, where in couple of years
he has made himself respected and popu-
lar on both sides of the House.
Of his work in Parliament and at
successive trade congresses have not
space to treat, but the matter is doub t-
less familiar to you. All that I would
like to asy is that the John Burns of
1924 is not the John Burnssof 1887. He
has profited by experience and while as
enthusiastic as ever. he is staunch be-
lever in constitutional methods of arriv-
ing at the desired results. In his own
constituency, where he lives in humble
four room fat. containing a library
which peer might envy, John is almost
idolized He is unique member, and
he has unique constituency. Let me
say also that he is lifelong teetotaller,
a non-smoker, an ardent cricketer, a
proficient skater, and no mean hand with
THE oyl0yag u CruSt the Statas will
give him hearty reception.