The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-10-25
BR yam CALLS THEM ROBBERS
Employer and Employed Alike Stigmatized
by the Iatter-Day .Iaborers Friend"

by the Iatter-Day .Iaborer's Friend"
Harrisburg. Pa, Oct 24-"You are a
robber. You are a public beggar."
This harsh language was applied by
William Jennings Bryan while a mem
Der Of congress to body of window
glass workers who appeared before the
house committee on ways and means in
behalf of a tariff TO protect their labor,
in September, 1893. Mr.. Bryan was a
member of the ways and means conn
mittee and did all he could to destroy ev-
cry yestige of protection to labor in the
compilation Of the tariff bill that is now
a law. This statement is sworn to by
James Campbell of Pennsylvania, one
of the best known window-glass work
ers in the United States, a gentleman
who has been foremost in the efforts of
workingmen before congress TO secure
protection TO American labor, and by
Charles Bryant of Anderson, Ind. an
other window-glass worker well known
to members of the glass-blowers' asso-
citations throughout the country. Their
Rffidayits are as follows:
A committee representing the Window
Glass Workers organization Of America,
composed of John P. Eberhart, presi-
dent; A II. Hammet, treasurer, and
James Campbell. all OF Pittsburg, Pa. !;
G. L. Cake and John Kealey of jeanette,
Pa; Charles Bryant Of Alexandria, Ind,
aad Joseph higgins of Bridgeton, n. j.,
Were sent to Washington in September,
1893, TO protest against any reduction
of the tariff on window glass. We pro-
duced conclusive evidence to any fair
minded man that a reduction Of the tar
if would result in reduction of the
wages Of the workers. Notwithstanding
M arr hn Cvfff ,.l
and a reduction of the workers wages
followed w. ]. Bryan, now candidate
for president on the Democratic ticket.
was a member of the ways and means
committee at that time, and after the
committee had adjourned, manufacture
er who was present. got into a converse
ton with Mr.. Bryan and was explaining
10 him the beneficial result that the peo-
pie Of this country had received under
the protective tariff systtm, and if the
tariff on window glass was reduced as
they proposed. he would be forced TO re-
duce the wages of the workers, which
he had no desire to do.
Mr. Bryan looked him straight in the
eye and said: you are a robber." One
Of our committee spoke up and said:
Mr.. Bryan. if the employer is a robber
what are the workingmen?" He prompt
ly replied: You are public beggars. q"
One of our committee said: I'VE do not
consider il begging TO ask for protec-
ton against the cheap-paid labor OF for
eign countries" He said: "Neverthe-
less. you are public beggas.' and with
that he left the committee room.
The above is substantially what oc-
CURED after the ways and means COM
mittee had adjourned.
o. A ~ A
October IL. 1885.
Personally appeared before me J. D.
Patterson. mayor of Harrisburg. James
Campbell, who being duly sworn. doth
say that the foregoing statement is true
and correct. lSeal)
j D. PATTERSON. Mayor.
Anderson. Ind, Sept -. 1896.
Mr.. Charles E Flood, Moundsv.lle. ".
Va
Dear Sir:-Yours of the 2srd inst. re-
ceived. You ask me 10 take oath 10 |
what / stated in your former letter. In /
substance, l said that myself and others |
were sent 10 Washington in ls95 Tor the |
purpose OF Obtaining a statement I
pdrpose Of making a statement before /
the ways and means committee in refer /
ence TO the tariff on window glass. Some |
% our men had a conversation with Mr.. /
Bryan after the fun committee adjourn |
ed was not present all OF the time |
they were talking tariff but l was pres !
ent and did hear Mr.. Bryan say: You /
are public beggars." The answer was /
made: we do not look upon il as beg
cling 10 ask for protection against the |
Importation Of foreign products" He
then said: Nevertheless. you are public
beggars" lie left us with this. To all |
this Swear Yours truly
(Signed:) CHARLES BRYANT.
Subscribed and sworn 10 before me this
the 18th day OF October. 1896.
EDMUND JOHNSON.
Clerk Madison circuit court. Indiana.
AT the time of the above occurrence,
Bryan was striving WITH