The herald., 1896-11-03
Allegation of Felony Against
Thomas R. McLaine
Discharged a Man Because He Was
for Bryan
ceurs House Ring Suppress All News Of
the Arrest
Prentice Cotton Had a Large Family
Dependent Upon His Daily Toll, but
He Was Prosecuted BECAUSE He
Voted as He Pleased


One man in Los Angeles county will
be brought to justice for having attempt
ed to coerce a voter and to compel him
to vote for William Mckinley for pres
ident of the United States.
That man is Thomas r. McLaine OF
Ell Monte township.
McLaine is charged by Prentice Cot
ton with having threatened him with
discharge from his employment if he con-
tinued to advocate the election of Bryan.
Cotton was a true American citizen
and he defied the McLaine person. He
continued to advocate silver and Bryan.
and was discharged for that reason.
Yesterday Thomas r. McLaine was ar
rested on warrant issued from the
Justice court of Ell Monte township He
was charged with felony, and if he is
convicted he will find himself behind
prison bars. The complaint in the case
is as follows:
In the Justices Court of Ell rlonte
Township, County of Los Angeles
State of California.
The People of the State OF California,
VS.. Thomas K. McLaine, Defend
ant-Felony.
On this second day of November,
1895, personally appeared before
me, NJ. F, Quinn, Justice of the peace
of Ell Monte Township, Prentice Cot.
ton, who being first duly sworn com.
plains and SAYS that on or about the
first day of October, 1895 that the
crime of felony was committed by
Thomas r. McLaine who at the
time and place last aforesaid, and
in the said County and State did
wilifully unlawfully and feloriously
attempt 10 influence affiant IN civ.
ing his vote at the ensuing general
election, and to ! inier and restrain
affiant in the exercise of the right
of suffca age al the said general elec
ton in tine following m9 nner, that is
to say
At the said time and place affiant
was an elector i'll the said County
and State. entitled to vote at the
ensuing election and was, and for a
long time heretofore had been III
the empl 10y of c. w. Brown and said
Thomas McLaine, was at all said
times foreman and agent of said
Brown, that at the said time and
Iiace said Thomas z. Mel Laine in.
formed affiant in substance that if
he. affiant, voted for the electors
favorable to William ]. Bryan for
President of the United States that
he would be discharged from his
said employment, AMI that he the
said McLaine would not give af.
fiant any other employment what.
ever.
Contrary to the form of the stat.
ute in such case made and provided d
and against the peace and dignity
of the People OF the state OF Califor-
MIA.
Wherefore, affiant prays that a
warrant be ISSUED for the arrest of
tie said Thomas r. NcLaine. and
that he be dealt with according to
law. PRENTICE COTTON.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this Snd day Of November, 1885.
Justice OF the Peace III and for S aid
Township, M. F. QUINN.
McLaine was arrested and released
on bail. Later the case will come up
for examination, and then some facts
will be developed of a startling charac-
ter.
It seems as near as can be learned that
Prentice Cotton was in the employ OF
c. w. Brown.
About the 1st day of October he was
approached by Brown. and McLaine,
who inquired how he was going to
vote.
Cotton asserted in an emphatic man
ner that he intended to vote for Bryan.
as he was a firm believer in the free and
unlimited coinage of silver.
Brown thereupon said that if he ex-
pected to remain in his employ he had
better vote for Mckinley.
Cotton said rothicg. but continued
to advocate Bryan's election. Finally
or the 18th of October he was discharged,
having been previously Informed by
McEaine that men who voted for Bry-
an were not fit to live and ought to
starve.
AS for as he, McLaine, was concerned
he proceeded at once to show that he
meant what he said--taat Bryan men
ought 10 stafNe.
He DISCHARGED Cottou and told him
that under 10 circumstances would he
employ nir longer.
Cotton was discharged for the sole rea
son that he was supporting Bryan for
president.
He has large family dependent upon
him. and he IS poor man. Some pro-
vision will be made to care for him and
his family by the Silver Republican n
club until he can get employment
This case of coercion, intimidation md
bulldozing Of employees By employers
Is not by any means the Only one In tho
county.
The corporations have heen ar 1t for
three months II manner that is enough
to appall the Intelligent and thinking
citizen. who wonders where it all will
stop.
Business men in this town have COM
PEELED their employees. in some cases.
to wear outward Indications that they
intend to vote for Mckinley.
None Of them have been arrested. but
some of them ought to be-
This campaign has been marked by thu