Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-05-03
ELI PERKINS OUTDONE.

Nothing delights the calamity how
lers more than to picture dire distress
and disorder throughout the land; in
fact, to do this seems to be the chief
end and aim Of republican partisan
editors, who stand ut the head Of the
list rs portrayers Of disaster and ruin
to the country under, and by reason of,
the present Democratic administration.
They must print reports of strikes and
lockouts, even If they have to draw
upon their imaginations for their facts.
The country, they say, cannot prosper
under q Democratic administration.
Hence they must do all In their power
TO prevent 1t from prospcring In.
stead Of helping to restore confidence
In business matters and industrial en-
terprlses, they seek to destroy con
lldence. 1t Is not necessary to go
away from home to prove the truthful
ness of this charge. The Mineral
Point Tribune of last week furnished
proof enough, by printing in It's edi-
torial columns the following:
A private letter from Pttsburg,
Kansas, presents u glowing view Of
the situation there. The best zine ore
commands only $l2 per ton. Several
furnaces are shut down, and those
running are at reduced wages. Labor
troubles are developing into riots and
incendiaryism. Two furnaces have
been burned, and others are threaten
ed. One furnace, In which there had
been strike, was warned by placards
that unless the mems demands were
complied with II would be burned
within forty eight hours, and ere the
time elapsed 1t was smouldering
ruin.
Terrible condition, indeed Reduc-
ton in the price of ore Furnaces
shut down Running mt reduced
wages Riots Incendiaryism !
Furnaces burned and others threaten
ed What an argument against the
Democratic free trade policy is here!
But hold, Mr.. Tribune. What are
the facts In regard to the situation at
Pittsburg, Kansas Let one of the
proprietors of one of the largest zinc
furnaces there answer, which he does
In letter to relative in this city
The letter Is under date of pttsburg,
Kan, April %, 1894. The writer is
himself republican, but he believes
In giving the truth, He has been en-.
gagged In the manufacture of spelter ut
Pittsburg for many years, and knows
whereof he speaks. He says:
| saw an article In The Mineral Point
Tribune today purporting to be an tx
tract from private letter written to
some ono in Mineral Point, from Pitts
burg, kas., stating that on account Of
propretors of zinc furnaces reducing
wages to employees that employ.
es had revolted and had burned down
two or more furnaces, and that the
employees were on the point Of strik
ing and there was likely to be blood
shed. Also stating that the best price
for zinc ore was only ST. per ton,
Please have the whole statement con
tradcted. 1t is u lie from beginning
to end. In the first place, there has
been no reduction Of wages, nor talk
of any. Wages are precisely the same
today rs they have been for the past
ten years. Again, no furnaces have
been burned or any threats of any
kind made. Tho workmen are entire.
ly satisfied and contented with the
wages and all is peaceabe and orderly;
no difference of any kind or nature
between employers and employees;
and the price Of zinc ore, instead of
$l2 per ton, is SIS per ton. There is
no foundation for any single state
ment in the above mentioned article,
and whoever wrote It is n bigger liar
than Eli Perkins. Please have it con
tradicted.
"Wages are precisely the same today
rs they have been for the past ten
years" mo furnaces have been burned
or any threats of any kind made
1.-THE workmen are entirely satisfied
and contentcd with the wages and AL
is peaceable and orderly What con.
trast between the real condition OF
affairs and the imaginary picture pre-
sented by The Tribune! But how
can the calamity howl be kept VI