The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-20

An impression is current that the coIuposi-
tors on the Silver Knight, the organ Of
senator Stewart, which is published in
Alexandria, are about to form IA union.
| IL Is weilknown fact that the composi-
tors on this paper, which from its name
ana connections is run in the interest OF
the millions OF money held by silver Iead
ers and OF the free silver masses, are paid
but So week. This pay is about fifty per
cent OF the compensation OF men in 4
sifnliar class of work in Washington, and
generally in places where men are pro-
tected by organized labor.
The compositors in Alexa ndria naturally
nave the sympathy OF the printing guild Of
this city and OF all laboring classes not
merely because it Is discrimination be-
tween workmcn who do high class OF
work, but because there is the Impression
that much better wages could be paid by
so rich corporation as that OF the Silver
Knight, whether it te composed OF sena-
tor Stewart alone or as a stock company.
CALLED TO HIS ATTENTION.
The Times took up this question some
time ago and made publication Jr the
facts. An opportunity was permitted for
a reply from Senator Stewart, who n.ade
answer through his representative 1T
the Washington Office of the Silver
Knight. Senator Stewart was in New
York yesterday, where he undoubtedly
saw the same presentation Of the fucts in
some OF the leading dailies.
Here tofore the justification for the
small pay on the Silver Knight has been
that Its compositOrs are paid tn. wages
current in Alexandria. No one, however.
appears to know why the Silver kright
is published In Alexandria. where, cn,ier
existing conditions, IL is possible TO ruake
men take such W. ges as are offer. them
In point OF business convenience the
Silver Knight could possibly bsukest pub 4
llShed in Washington, and there has been
some criticism OF the fact that IA Washing
ton date line was chosen for the Silver
Knight. thus giving the impression that
1t was published in Washington. where
living wages at least are paid
HOW wORKMEN VIEW IT.
The workingmen certainly lcok at this
seemingly unimportant matter adversely
in the light of the surroundings. tits known
To them that Senator Stewart is preaching
and that the silver party he represents
isbidding for thepopular yoteon thcstrength
OF the protcstations of the leaders OF whom
Senator Stewart is amoDg the more proni-
Dent.
WorkinIuen are not satisfied with the
statement that because compositors are
paid poor wages in Alexandria, one of
the richest men and corporations in the
United States should take advantage of
a current misfortune. They say that rs
Senator Stewart thinks IL amply suf-
iicieDt to say that his men get what other
Ill i-paid men get. they have no reason to
suppose that even If wages should rise in
Washington. they would also rise in
Alexandria. because the fact that they |
are comparatively high here now has alb |
no effect on the low wages of |
1t was reported on good authority from !
last night that the working |
men on the Silver Knight had not been |
paid as Usual on Monday last This re- |
port was taken to the office OF the Silver |
Knight, but the information was given |
there that Senator Stewart could answer |
the question as to why this was So il |
1t Were so. but that the Senator was in |
New York. |
Mr.. TURNER'S EXPLANATIONS.
Mr.. J. H. Turner. the business manager
of the Silver Knight. was applied TO for |
but he said that he had not
heard OF it. The usual check had gone
own on Monday, and he had heard no
complaint from the workingmen.
The statement made to The Times was
that the compositors and others in the en-
ployment OF the Silver Knight had not
been paid on Monday. or Tuesday, and UP
% yesterday. This statement was made
On the authority OF the workmcn them
selves The reason assigned for it was
hat there had been some delay in cashing
he check. The check. it was stated, had
come as usual but the men were informed
hat 1t had been recalled.
IL is probable that the delay is only one
,f the circumstances that occa sionaIIy arise
n business. and that 1t is not n question
II the ability of the Silver Knight to pay,
out OF convenience to the men in getting
heir money at the usual time.