Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-01

planning political campaign on the surf ngtf
of the notoriety he gained by claptrap, while
the men who fell victims to the claptrap Of
the Coxey variety are at Washington and
in Maryland in a deplorable condition
All the funds that ONE from contributions
all the money received as ''gate money
from those anxious to see the common
wealers," all went into, if not through, the
hands of these leaders. True the latter doubt
less failed to execute what they intended
They craved greater and more lasting motto.
riety than they have obtained, but their share
in producing the misery of their Ignorant
followers is not on that account excusable.
The public wearied, nauseated with Cox
eyism turned readily its acquired taste fol
sensationalism to the delectation afforded
by Debs and the claptrap by which he en-
deavored to acquire notoriety. And now
the ever eager public is asking what
next?" When Coxeyites were Selling rail-
way trains and every town along their
routes was striving to get rid Of them as
quickly and as chesply as possible, some
thought they saw subversion Of the govern
ment. The same fear was repeated in the
reign of Debsism. There was wrecking OF
trains, delaying of mails and some shooting
Debs was after notoriety. Sovereign want
ed notoriety. They have got the apples OF
Sodom but their fruit has not turned to ashes
quite so quickly as that secured by their
dupes. The strikers didn't really know
wha. they wanted. They felt that they
should be loyal to their organization. They
imposed child-like, unquestioning, I'M
reasoning confidence in Debs that some
how and in some way he would abol-
ish at least a few of the Unequal
tiles they believed to exist. They left
steady and remunerative employ ment, as
sisted to tie up the business of their en-
ployers against whom they had no grievance,
all because they were victims of the clap
trap of an unscrupulous, irresponsible and
visionary labor agitator. 1t surely is no
slight offense that these agitators, mounte-
bank politicians, who for the sake of gain
ing notoriety and possibly political influence
or money or both, have unhesitatingly made
tools of hard working men already discon-
tented by the writings and speeches of inn
practicables or worse. But Coxey and
Debs had precedent for their iniquity, pre-
cedent held aloft in high places. In the
United States Senate there were found
demagogues willing to aid in furnishing
the requisite amount of claptrap that
they might also share in the notoriety
it would afford them. Now when Cox
eyites are starving almost at the doors
of these Congressional demagogues
not finger is raised to assist them. Not
one of the arrant mouthpieces Of the "sym-
pathetic" strike has lifted hand or bestow-
ed a cent towards assisting the men whom
they duped. 1t is not surprising that men,
whose lives are almost wholly occupied
with the unceasing effect necessary to the
support of their families, are unqualified to
comprehend all the results likely to flow
from certain acts, but it is surprising that
when asked to enter upon such
crazy schemes as proposed by Coxey
and again by Debs, the wage earn
er does not give himself time to
coolly reflect, give his common sense an OPP
portunity. He did not, however, in 1892
when he listened attentively to all the clap
trap about taxed dinner pals" .monop-
oily" "robber barons," and democratic
devotion to the toiling masses" He lis
tened, swallowed the bait, voted for
Cleveland, has been deserted, has
seen his act at the ballot box
transformed into blow at those who
furnished him with work, has seen his
wages cut down or entirely taken away,
has seen a Democratic Congress bound to
the chariot wheels of the greatest monopoly
that ever was driven rough shod over the
people. The record of claptrap from
Grover Cleveland to Debs has been unin-
terrupted and has not one white page to
relieve its blackness.