Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-04-03

LettldHu
exponent of an enlightened citizenship.
says that to-day millions are kept In
enforced idleness: they can get no
work. They strive for this work as II
1t were bread itself. Happily, econom-
les is obtaining hearing; it is on the
lips Of many; it is hopeful sign. Re
life must come. Victor Hugo has apt
ly said the labor question is the Ques-
tion Of mankind. A crucial change Is
impending. Good men are saying again:
Prepare We the way
Abraham Lincoln placed man before
the dollar. but industrial conditions
| have reversed the enumeration, and
mans social standing Is now weighed
out to him Just as any other purchas-
able commodity"
Referring to the model town Of Pull
man, ILL.,, as a condensation of indus
trial infamy, Mr.. Debs told again some
Understanding truths. With a surplus
Of S25,O00,O00, this company charged
rentals land per force collected them)
ranging from 25 to so per cent above
the rate paid by others than Pullman
slaves in the immediate vicinity. The
exactions wrung from this unwilling
tenantry were fully exposed. On every
step from the cradle to the funeral
casket Pullman levied toll.
Bitter was the arraignment of the
Managers association, so-called, which
precipitated the strike that has been
generally charged up to the American
Railway Union. Twenty-six lines Of
railway allied themselves to wreck this
trade union and blacklist its members.
This damnable blacklist is enforced to-
day so far as 1t is possible to do so.
Courts are used by one side only,
and injunctions are for the rich alone
During the Pullman strike, up to July
2, no trouble had occurred. But trouble
was necessary. So 1920 thieves were
sworn in as deputy marshals in Chi
cago, and trouble began that day.
Property was destroyed. Chief of Po-
lice Brennan has testified that the
deputy United States marshals were
the real thieves. I sought the advice of
the best legal advisers of the country
| with regard to the injunction served
upon me. l followed the advice and
served six months for doing So"
Judge Jenkins and his malodorous
injunction were not spared. A railroad
is wrecked; then receiver Is ap-
pointed. The receiver, an officer of the
court, orders 10 per cent reduction in
wages; the judge issues an Injunction
against strike. A committee of con-
gress investigates, but just as the cor
ruption is tapped the appropriation sud-
denly gives out-and so does the bot
tom of the investigation.
when / was in Jail"
But Mr.. Debs was not permitted to nm.
ish this sentence without the interrupt
tion Of the heartiest Of laughter. There
was something about the manner of
saying it which was irresistible. Yet
this preliminary introduced pathetic
story concerning a cell mate who, for
the theft Of an old cloak valued at 50,
was sentenced in three minutes.
The speaker referred feelingly to his
experience at Woodstock prison as put
ting him in touch with the unfortu-
nate. Suffering seems necessary to
fully appreciate the unhappiness which
attends the unemployed. Competition
is curse unspeakable. Competition is
cannibalism. Cooperation can save
the workers. 1t deserves faithful trial.
Think, even though you think by
proxy. Think upward; you must
think. Books will win for you. Read
after your work; read to wife and child.
There is no excuse for ignorance.
Shakespeare says there is no slavery
but ignorance. Total ignorance is total
helplessness. Have library, If 1t con-
sists of but one book.
Associated effort only can bring
emancipation. Selfishness commits
suicide always. Labor must be united
and just. and above the low motives
so often marring it. Labor's parasites
must be Topped off. Away with lead
ers! Debs is no leader: he does not
wish to be. No one must follow; think
for yourself"
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