The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-30
their RECORDS compared
Ex-General Master Workman Pow
derby FavOrs Hastings Election.
HE IS OPPOSED TO SINGERLY
The Latter, He Asserts, Is Not Friend of
the Workingman While the Former
Has Always Been
True Friend.


True Friend.
Hon. T. V. Powderly has made the
following statement with reference to
the present Republican campaign in
this state:
5 Where right and wrong contest for
the supremacy in the affairs of state it
becomes the duty of the citizen to
search for the truth in order that 1t
may become so we'll known that error
will fall before it. In their personali-
ties apart from every other considera-
ton, do the candidates of the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties for gov
ernor of Pennsylvania represent right
and wrong. The workingman Is ap
pealed to for support by elements rep
resenting both candidates, and from
the labyrinth of slander and campaign
Misrepresentation it Is scarcely possi-
BILE to discern what the characters of
the two men stand for We cannot by
looking to the future alone form an es-
innate of what the official life Of either
form an idea of how public affairs will
be administered If we study carefully
the past records of those who aspire to
office. By comparison, too, we can
more accurately judge as to the fitness
of the men and the probable superiority
Of one of them.
Some Facts Related.
I'm comparing the record of General
d. II. Hastings with that of William
M. Singerly one need not hesitate as to
how he should vote, and in addressing
myself to the workingmen of Pennsyl-
vania on the subject | do not presume
to advise or judge as between the can
didate. 1t shall be my aim to relate
facts, state conclusions arrived at after
reviewing these facts and then leave
the matter in the hands of those whose
will must decide whether right or wrong
shall triumph. 1t has been the aim OF
some to obscure the real issue in this
campaign behind cloud of falsehood
concerning General Hastings. His rec
ord as an employer of labor and a
friend to labor has been attacked and
misrepresented. He has never posed as
q champion of labor, and his record as
an employer is consistent and honor
able. In July, 1882, when members OF
the Knight of Labor were arrested Tor
conspiracy in Cleariield, 1t became my
duty to open up correspondence with
General Hastings, then practicing law
at Bellefonte, with a view to securing
his aid in defending the men. In my
letter to him | suggested that the pros
pect for very large fee should not
tempt him to take the case, and from
his answer / quote the following:
"Not the fee, 'but the justice of the
cause Is what | shall be influenced by:
These men are poor; they may have acted
unWisely but men more experienced than
they have erred, and 1t shall be my enort
toremove the cloud that hangs oVelNthein.
Advise your men to be candid with me;
leave nothing unsaid, so that may
know my ground
Would Take No Pay.
"He defended the men, and up to the
present time | have never received Il
bill for his services. | have never
heard of his presenting bill to any or
the men. His example shone out re-
splendently in 1897, when he went into
the coal business extensively. lie
abolished the company store at the
mines which he purchased, removed the
black list on which the names of sew
eral union men had been inscribed,
recognized the union as an organiza-
ton worthy of respect, and continued
to treat with it as the equal of the
corporation of which he was q part.
When strikes or controversies took
place in the coal regions committees
representing the mining fraternity
called upon me frequently at Phila-
| delphia to seek assistance in settling
the pending difficulties. The need OF
an arbitrator or more accurately speak
ing, a concillator, presented itself on
| each occasion, and through the infiu-
| ence of General Hastings, acting as
peacemaker, several very ugly affairs
were settled with honor and satisfac-
| tion to the men. On one occasion, when
the employers We're contending against
the recognition of the miners organiza.
tion, General Hastings said
81 have the greatest respect for this
organization, and would far rather treat
with its officers than be in constant worry
over each individual case. The men have
an undoubted right to be heard through
their elected officers. Think of how diff
cult, how impossible 1t would be for every
workman to come down here from West
moreland to present his grievance as NJ
| individual 1t would never do, and | d(
hope that this objection against treating
with the organization will be waived.
1T was waived. Were I to entel
upon a recital of the many acts in thu
career of General Hastings which re
bounded to the interest of the workmer
1t would take too long. l have never
seen or heard anything to his discredit
and believe that such a man woulC
command the respect and confidence O.
employer and employe as governor o.
this industrial commonwealth.
Mr.. Singcrly's Record.
"The record of William M. Singerly
Is not such as would commend him Il
the friendship, confidence or suppor
of workingmen. He is opposed t.
organized and unorganized labor a.
well when 1t demands a fair price fo
services rendered His paper, tn,
Philadelphia Record while presumin,
to speak for the laboring element OF
economic questions, inaugurated ,
policy in Philadelphia which would, 1
successful, drive every union printe
out OF the trade and reduce all who fol
lowed that calling to beggary.
In December, 1891, the members O
the Typographical union employed O,
the Record asked for an increase 1,
their wages. The answer given to then
by Mr.. Singerly was the discharge O
some ninety-three men. Their place
were filled by cheap men, known in tn
printing trade as rats and since theI
the Philadelphia Record has been printe,
by non-union help. Soon after institut