The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-10-04
stance Of coin, but to create value-pur-
chasing power.-Lrving n. Scott in Over
land Monthly for October. s.ys:s
MIR. BRYAN AND RAILROAD
MEN

The most subtle and the most danger
Gus weapons are being used against Mr..
Bryan by the large majority of the giant
corporations of the land. Conspicuous
amongst them the big railway COM
panies have lost no opportunity of insid-
ious attack and have endeavored by
every conceivable means to induce their
employees to believe that Mr.. Bryan was
their natural enemy. All sorts of de-
vices for indirect coercion have been re-
vealed, but although railroad man may
be forced to shout and sign for McKin-
ley today, thousands of them will vote
for Bryan on Nov. Sd, and insolent dicta-
ton will not prevail. Mr.. Bryan's record
as friend of railroad men cannot be
impugned. He proved to be one Of their
staunchest defenders in a debate in
congress on Feb. 81, 1893, on a bill to conf
pei the railroads engaged in Interstate
commerce to use on their cars couplers
which would protect the lives and limbs
of their employees. Strange to say. there
was opposition to the bill, but Mr.. Bryan
urged it's passage in the following words,
which, when reread, will appeal to the
heart of every railroad man in the coun-
try:
l for one am willing to stay here till
this session ends. because 1 think this
bill should be passed. l believe it Is die
tated by humanity, and / am not will
ing, if l can prevent it, that these men
shall be killed and MANNED just because
some Of the railroads insist that they
cannot afford to put these couplers on
their cars. The only objection that
have heard made, the only real one in
that letter Of Mr.. Haines, found on our
desks this morning, is that it would cost
SIS a car. or 100000. Some $4,000 per-
sons have been injured. Those of us who
have associated with these men know
that there is scarcely one of them en-
ployed for any length of time in railroad
ing who does not have hand off, Or
fingers off, or foot off, or is not maimed
in some way, and we have had
produced here proof of the startling
number killed. Now l ask, Mr.. Speaker,
does it not appeal to us. who are men,
bers of the only body which can give this
relief, because the states are powerless,
does it not appeal to us and to our hui
mainly to pass such laws as will give
protection to the lives and limbs of these
people?
The doctrine of non-interference has
been invoked time and again, and often
in vain. to protect the individual from
trespasses upon his rights, and now, in
this latter day, the doctrine of non-inter-
ference is invoked when the corpora
tions of this country seek to tramp!e
upon the rights of the people and to dis
regard even the common duties they owe
to humanity. L insist, Mr.. Speaker, that
we who are in favor of this bill and in
favor of giving to these people that pro-
lection which the laws of congress alone
can give, 1 insist that we shall be as
Jealous in behalf of this bill as are those
on the other side who see fit to oppose il.
| do not question their motives, but
If we can keep this question in this po-
sition. staying here night and day. the
country will notice it and public opinion
will be brought to bear upon it. and We
are willing to trust to our being sus-
tanned by public opinion The platforms
of both the great political parties have
declared in favor OF it: and. as has been
well stated here today, before the cleo
ton bill was passed here without di-
vision. At that time we who now favor
it had upon our side many of those who
oppose it now.i or at least theif>opposi-
ton was not then made known.
Now we who are supported by the plat
forms of both political parties. supported
by the almost unanimous sentiment of
the press. and supported, as l believe.
by the great sentiment of the people Of
this country. can afford to stand here
and fight this battle. Upon the one side
are the interests of these men and their
protection. and upon the other the cost
to the railroads whchsthis reform will
impose if it is carried out.
/ ask, Mr. Speaker, how can we meas
ure the value of human life? How can
you say that $7500O.000 expended in
equipping cars outweighs,- 1000 people
killed and $4,000 manned? We may talk
this way about the lives of Others, but
what II these We're our sons or our
brothers? L ask of any one of these gen.
tlemen what price he would set upon the
life or security of relative? And how
dare we hold at trifling price the lives
and welfare of those not kin to us while
we mold as priceless boon the lives ana
welfare of those to whom we are re-
lated by blood?
j appeal. Mr. Speaker. to those who ara
In favor of this bill to stand by our rights
mere as a majority and pIptest the lives
or these people who plead to us for their
nrntaptinn tA1o \