Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-22
ARE ALL FREE MEN
Charges Of the Democrats Openly Net by
Republican Managers.
COERCION NOT AFACToRIN THE CAMPAIGN
Chairman Hanna of the Republican
National Committee Insists TINT
Bryan and Jones HIVE Com
jurcd Up Bogy.

CHICAGO Oct 21.-(Special Telegram.)-
Chairman Hanna OF the republican national
committee this morning gave to the public
the following announcement:
"The manifest policy OF the silver demo-
cratic managers in this campaign, as set
forth by their candidate for president shortly
after his nomination, has been to create
tho belief In the minds OF the workingmen
that they were being coerced by their en-
ployers to vote contrary to their convictions.
The chairman Of their national committee,
Hon. James X. Jones, has emphasized this
policy in a proclamation in which he boldly
charges the employing classes OF the coun-
try with having entered into conspiracy
to coerce their employees into voting con-
trary to their opinions. This is very
grave charge, and 1t has now assumed a
from that justihes giving 1t some attention.
1t Is an insult both to employer and en-
ploye. We do not believe that one is
despotic enough to attempt to coerce or
that the other Is SO cringIng as to be
coerced. Employees and employers are all
free American citizens, knowing their rights
and capable of asserting and maintaining
them.
"To coerce a voter is a crime against
the laws OF the land, and IL Messrs
tempted coercion they made them
selves accomplices of the criminals by not
informing the proper authorities and taking
steps for prosecution. 1t has been the policy
of the republican party since its organiza-
tion to protect every citizen in the exercise
OF his elective franchise, and 1t will still
adhere to that policy.
WILLING TO PROTECT wORKMEN.
while we consider the charge absurd, and
believe that American workingmen and en-
ployers are too Independent and patriotic
either to be coerced or to coerce the re-
publican national committee will do any
thing in Its power to protect workingmen
in the free and untrammeled exercise of
their rights as citizens, and will cheerfuly
unite with the national democratic commit
tec in any movement having that object in
view.
Coercion OF voters is not only an un-
american, unpatriotic and despotic usurpa-
tion OF the rights OF free citizen, but II
is a wrong that will inevitably recoil upon
Its perpetrators. II Is an arbitrary use of
power that is In direct conflict with the
principles of our government. The civil
compact Of majority rule means free ma
jorities for whose protection all constitu-
tional powers should be used, and without
which a political victory would be barren
OF results worthy of a great party. This
committee will spare no pains to secure to
every citizen whatever his politics. the
right to cast his vote according to his con-
victions and to have his vote honestly
counted ~
Information was received at republican
national headquarters today to the effect
that voters intending to support Bryan We're
applying to railroads for transportation to
their homes. and that they are using the
letter heads OF the republican national COM
mittee or republican state central COM
mittee In making such applications. Re-
quest is made by the republican national
committee that persons receiving applica-
tlons for transportation shall be upon their
guard, and that the chairman OF the state
and county republican committees shall act
with great caution In considering the matter
OF applications for transportation.
TWO IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS.
p. M. Arthur OF Cleveland, o., at the
head OF the International Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers. has written letter
in which he says that he never signed any
resolution or petition to congress, or any
document in favor OF the free coinage of
silver; that he Is not in favor of the free
coinage OF silver and that he will vote
for Mckinley, regardless of what he may
have done or said in the past.
Hon. William Morrison OF Illinois presi-
dent Of the Interstate Commerce commits
sion at Washington, has written a letter
which Is to be made public in which he
arraigns Governor Altgeld in the severest
terms, confirming all OF the charges made
asainst Altselu Dy ex-Congressman Forman.
The letter is full of sensational statements
affecting the integrity of Altgeld and will
make thousands OF votes for sound money
and Mckinley. Morrison is one OF the most
influential democrats of this state.
telegram from Boston states that Sam
uel C. PRESLEY makes afidayit that the
Colorado letter bearing his name and alleg-
Ing that Mr.. Hanna had said that IL Nc
Kinley Is elected the United States army
VIII be enlarged to 25O.0O0 men, is a