The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-05

day that 1 laid off here to visit their camp in
Oakland and see what they were doing. Ny
sympathies were aroused by their condition,
and began TO help them simply with the idea
of starting them on their road TO Washington.
l should not have gone there myself If the
army had not got into trouble and met with OPP
position In Utah. Then it seemed to me that
must see them through or appear TO have de-
serted them; so l started for Washington my
self.
My reasons for returning to work at this time?
They are many. Because some papers charged
that went into movement to make money
bore all my own expenses from what little /
had been able by frugality to save. The year
that have been idle has cost me almost every
thing l possessed except my little home in
Oakland, and 1 have family for which to pro-
vide. Then about month ago my father died
and it was question whether my mother and
sister should come out here or whether l
should go to them in the East. My sister is the
Miss Maud Ellen Kelley who for year past has
been singing with Sousa's Military Band.
95But the main reason which decided me was
the attempt of the Populists to mob me after
the recent city election in Oakland. They ac-
cused me of being the cause of the defeat which
they met and a crowd gathered around my
house. Stones were thrown, OF which one
struck my wife in the head and seriously
wounded her. The ringleader in that affair,
w. d. Hougham, Populist nominee for City
Councilman, Is now under arrest for melting to
riot and his trial will come up next Monday.
Has the industrial movement been failure
No, think not. We did not expect to secure
any immediate relief from Congress-at least
the thinking ones among US did not. Our idea
was to bring to the people generally proper
realization of the fact that there was and is in
this country great minority OF Unemployed
working people-nen who viii work If they be
given an opportunity. 1t was campaign of
education and l think it accomplished its OBJ
ject, for men out OF employment are now termed
"the unemployed" instead of being classed
with the tramps. We have, however, bill be-
fore Congress now, providing for Governmental
employment for United States citizens VINO can
not get work 1t passed its first reading in the
Senate without q dissent voice and De til
tons for its final passage are now being cfrcu-
lated. II we secure the signatures of a major
ity of the voters OF this country it will undoubt-
edly pass, but we recognize that no minority
can demand any legislation.
While in Washington we were very kindly
treated met President Cleveland and chatted
with him. Like him? Oh, yes, aside from pol
itics. He was very pleasant.
The greatest trouble we had was to keep poll
ties out of the movement. The PopuIists
wanted to make it side issue of their party
whereas our idea was to make it non-partisan
movement to aid the workingmen. The Popu-
lists are all right, presume, but their main
principle Is the loaning OF money by the Gov
eminent direct to the people at 2 per cent and
on good security; Now how would that help
the unemployed? Where could man out of
work get proper security for loan?
Then some of the leaders were not sincere
They went into it for notoriety or personal
aggrandizement Coxey wanted to run for Con-
gress and it was q cheap campaign for him,
Then Fry of Southern California-well, YOU
know he has reputation as an agitator But
when we once reached Washington the men
found them out very quickly, and leaving
them came over to those of us who had no pri.
Yate axes to grind.
Why did not go to work before? Well, ON
our return from Washington / felt much the
same as the officers of the United States army
did after their commands were disbanded in
1S65-that their old soldiers had some claim
on them-so tried to take care of my men
had 400 when we started from Oakland, and
1900 when we reached Washington. Now
There are five left in Oakland and they are ali
working.
Mr.. Kelley's employers speak very highly
of him. They say tina, in his particular
line-job printing-he is an artist and that
he could obtain employment anywhere.