The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-15
NOT A WHIT DAMAGED.
Effect of the Imprisonment OF
the President Of the
A. r. u.
LABOR LEADERS STIMULATED.
Debs VIII Conduct a Campaign
From the Confines OF
His Cell.

If it was supposed that the sending to
jail of Eugene V. Debs and his co-workers
in the American Railway Union would
have discouraging effect on the men,
bers of that organization, such a suppose
ton now appears to have been at fault.
Harry A. Knox, who was the leader OF the
Sacramento strikers last July, had this to
say yesterday regarding the matter:
''There Is no doubt that it is the best
thing that could have happened for the IN
terests of organized labor. 1t has set peo-
pie to thinking who have never thought
on the labor question, and they see what
the end Will be if they don't get in and do
the right thing for themselves.
at stands to reason that the success OF
this Government lies in the hands OF the
working class, and it has been clearly
demonstrated within the past few wears
that the more thoughtful Iaboring people
are not satisfied with the men who have
been at the head of the Government, as
they have been swinging about from one
party to the other.
although it is going to be to the benefit
OF organized labor to have Debs serve his
term, the majority of us do not like TO see
any man made martyr of for our cause,
as has been the case with Debs.
''The American Railway Union in this
than ever to right the wrongs that have
been done by our Judges to the cause of
labor. Our organization has not only been
maintained, but has largely increased its
membership OF late, and continues TO add
new members at each meeting of the local
unions.
What the feeling is among Debs' immet
date associates and followers is besb
shown in letter l have just received from
l.. Z. Benedict, private secretary TO Presi-
dent Debs."
The letter mentioned reads as follows;
Dear Brother Kno1: Yours of the 18th ult. to
the president is al hand, and reply falls 10 the
undersigned as he is out of the city and prob
ably Will not return before he goes TO the "Bas-
tile de Woodstock" You may be sure he is not
saw him more cheerful in my life than after
receiving the news of the decision. He is SIM
ply determined that the A. K. o. shall accom-
pllsh It's mission, and this will be brought about
notwi tb Stsnding intrigues.
Attorney-General Olney thirteen times re-
fused to prosecute trusts under the antitrust
law, saying 1t was not constitutional. During
the debates in Congress, before it became a
law, Senator Sherman declared il had no refer
time 1t transpires that labor organizations arc
the only class affected by il. Sufhce IL to say
the law was passed with the intent of restrict
ing the great trusts, such as Hayemeyer
Rockefeller ana hundreds of others are cons
Quoting, but is now declared not to apply to
them but to the oppression of labor
1tues OF the great National house n: Washing
ton. But there is an election coming in 1896
and If there is not general scattering and
cleaning then shall have as little res
spect for the men who furnish the substance
upon which these titled favorites fatten
note your determination TO put the coast in
line. This is the spirit that " i'll win Reso,
lutte determination is better than ability If one
must be dispensed with; but you have BOTH
ana am sure you will come out on top In 4
letter from Sacramento to-day we & re assured
OF thousand members from there. I hops
our friend and brother does not cyeresumate,
The secret system you have adopted ought Ia
do the work.
The president and his colleagues will con,
Duct campaign from the jail and shall do
nay pest from here. have been working in
am as good as new yet awhile. Like yourself, il
has cost me good deal of sacrifice, but il viii
be all the same in the final roundup If
don live to get the benefit of il some one else
Will, Tor it's coming. Nothing can stop the
progress OF humanity entirely. The persecu.
tons we are now undergoing are but simple
obstacles in the pathway OF humankind.