Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-01-22
CORRESPONDENCE.
Sons of Bennington County in Chi
cago-A Few Words About the
Threadbare Story of Debs-his
Chicago, ILL. January. 1895.

CHICAGO, ILL.,, January, 1870.
The story of the great sympathetic
railroad strike" has become stale. l al
lude to it now only to comment on the
trials for contempt of the United States
courts. Debs and his associates are in
Jail, but the trial-only on one issue is
not yet settled, but is pending before the
Supreme Court. 1t is subject for re-
view at any time, and l allude to the
matter now to point out how absurdly
the trial and the United States Labor
Commission have been conducted, as the
great public regards this matter. This
was not contest between labor and cap
ital-between living men and dead mat
ter. This quibbling and hair splitting
should uo5 be tolerated. 1t is between
enterprise and labOr-brain ability and
muscular effort. Debs was either a fool
or knave. Since the time of Dennis
Kearney and his sand lot agitation, the
wOrkingmen of this country, more par
ticularly the alien or those of foreign
birth or extraction, have been constant
ly fed upon the gospel of misinforma-
ton, sophistry and hate, by their cum
ming, glib and self-constituted leaders.
Something must be done to take the con-
ceit out of tramps. They are presuming,
in the old freebooter style, that the
world owes them living in idleness.
This case of Debs is not question be-
tween labor and capital; between the
American Railroad Union and the rail
ROADS, aud the Commission made mis-
take in its investigations on such lines.
1t is not a question as to who the lawless
men are; whether they be Union men,
non Union men, Anarchists, or hood
lums. The fact remains that lawless
ness existed, that millions of dollars of
the property of citizens was destroyed,
and the lawful use of property was pre-
vented by these men, and life threatened
and endanG cred. 1t is of no conse-
quence what the personnel of the law
breakers may be, they must be adequate
ly punished according to their deserts,
like all other criminals, by the strong
arm of the Government There is no
middle ground for honest patriots to
take in this contest between law and or
der on the one side, and their violation
on the other. The integrity of our in
stitutiOns must be asserted and deter
minedly and religiously maintained.
The Society of the Sons of Vermont
in Chicago will hold their annual ban
quet soon, and l am reminded to say
something personal about some Sons of
Bennington county. First of
HON. CHARLES II. CRAWFORD.
One of the most noteworthy sons of
Bennington county now in Chicago is
the Hon. Charles H. Crawford-lawyer
and statesman. He is a comparatively
young man, but has been, and is con-
spicuous in the annals of legislation in
Illinois, the past ten years in the State
Senate, and was reelected last fall.
During this time his public history has
been inseparably connected with the leg
islive annals of this commonwealth. He
was elected to the Senate, first in 1884,
by one of the most intelligent and
veal rhy constituencies in the State, and
has been member since, with the eX-
ception of two years. In that body,
which is composed of some of the ablest
men in Illinois, he at once took lead
ing position, and was leader as ready
debator and an influential and judicious
legislator, originating many, and cham
plonlng some of the most important
measures. He was a member of all the
more important committees and chair
man of the most important ones, such as
Judiciary, Revenue and others; and of
subcommittee. He is the author of
what is known as the Crawford Law,
regulating primary and other elections,
which has been the model for laws pass
ed in other States for the same purpose.
He was largely instrumental in formulat-
ing the Drainage Law, under which
$25, 900 900, or more, are now being ex-
pended in the construction of a drainage
canal, which is one of the greatest en-
gineering undertakings of the time.
His impress is found on the annals of
legislation during this time-on most of
its pages. He is gifted by nature with
the sturdy qualities of mind, heart and
body, so characteristic of good New Eng
land stock, and is safe political strate-
gist and leader He has already illus
trated the annals of the State in the leg
islature, as indicated, and in shaping
public opinion and sentiment, and is
prominent in the counsels of the Repub-
lican party; a man of force and charac-
ter, he has future of promise before
him, and is liable to make a still further
impress on the history of his time. He
is one of the foremost leaders of the
Senate, and the accuracy of his judg-
ment in legislation, the extent of his
scholarly attainments, and his clear.cut
logic, have won for him high position
in the estimate of his immediate fellow
Highest Of all in Leavening Pow,