Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-10-29
senator swink to the Public.

Senator Swink TO the Public.
um the nominee OF two conventions
for state senator-the Populist aud Sill
YER Republican conventions OF the 23d
senatorial district each OF whose plat
forms pledged the candidate thereon un-
equivocally to the support of Henry M.
Teller for reelection to the U. y. senate,
and before which conventions orally
| pledged myself to abide by tho require
ments OF their platforms touching Henry
NJ. Teller's candidacy. Nevertheless, as
it seems fashionable now-a.days to rush
into print, and Us numerous requests
have been made OF me to state my posi-
ton publicly, i now desire to say to the
voters of the district that have for
many years entertained the highest re-
spect and admiration for the Hon. Hen
ry NJ. Teller ms u statesman, patriot
and thorough. honest man; a gentleman
who, in my humble opinion, has accom-
plished more for tho interests. not only
Of his own state aud the entire west, but
the entire nation, than any other man
now in public life. Believing, therefore.
in his un9uestionable integrity, far-see-
| ing sagRcity and unswerving loyalty
to the cause Of thn great pro-
duciug masses of this country, do not
hesitate TO announce that believe it TO
be my duty in the event that shall be
elected, to not only urge the nominn-
tion Of Senator Teller to succeed him
self, but to vote for him in the event that
he is nominated, on eaoh and every ballot
that shall be cast for United States
senator until such time US he shall per-
sonally request me to desist therefrom.
As some structures and criticisms have
been made regarding my action in the
state senate during my present term,
ity and Eight Hour Labor bill, I desire
to sny frankly that have not been in
favor OF the enactment of such laws be-
cause OF their sweeping character and
universal application to ali employers OF
labor, whether private or corporate. BY
their terms they have included us within
the provisions OF the respective bills
farmers, rnnchmsn and stock growers,
whether men OF small or large means or
possessions. Any person the least famil-
lar with tho avocation of the farmer or
ranchman can well understand that the
exigencies OF seed tine and harvest, and
would render the application of the eight
hour law to persons engaged in these
pursuits imprilcticable aud certainly un-
profitable il not ruIuous. AS TO the ap.
plicutiou OF tho Employers Liability bill
to farmers aud stocEnen OF small meaus,
it is apparent that employers are not able
to command the services of skilled labor
aud therefore to mulct such persons in
heavy damages for injuries received by
one omploye at the hands or through the
negligence OF u fellow employo would ut
terly bankrupt thre s-fourths of such en-
ployers when such accidents occurred.
On the other hand quasi-public corpo-
ration such as railroads, ETC., are pre-
sumed in law to employ skilled labor in
the interests OF public safety aud also
not tax the powers Of their employees be-
yond the point whero loss OF physical
energy might epdanger tho public.
Therefore any enactment placing Ethe
responsibility for injuries to an employe
through the negligence of fellow EN-.
pioye would undoubtedly be consistent
with Justice.
As TO any bills excluding privnte en-
ployers from the effect of tho law herein
before referred 70 / have never cast o
negative vote, but on The contrary have
voted for the passage of tho eight hour
labor law, wheu framed 20 exclude stock
men and farmers from it's provisions.
Ii reelected to the sennto will vote for
the laws above referred to il restricted
to purely quasi-pub',c or municipal cor
porations.
The vital necessity OF this valIey-that
which insures its prosperity and growth
of population, is au ample and continuous
supply Of water for irrigation purposes.
AS to this truth no resident OF this val
ley will express his dissent. All persons
caring to investigate my record in tho last
Legislature will find that labored to the
extent OF my humble ability to prevent n
large volume of the water which flows
through the Arkansas River from beng
cut off and diverted in another direction
10 tho inevitable destruction Of the farm
ing interests of this valley. And am
proud to state that my efforts were
crowned with success. Therefore SUBJ
init to tho farmers and NIL others inter-
ested in irrigation in this valley, that they
have reason to know that their interests
will be iealously guarded by mo in the
event of my reelection.
Ia conclusion let me say that there be
! no question raised as TO my convictions
} upon the monetary question which arc
for the full aud unlimited coinage of sill
yer at the ratio OF 16 to without waiting
for the consent Of any other nation upon
earth. believe this to be essential not
only to the prosperity Of our own state
but to the nation as well, and harbinger
of hope aud prosperity 10 the great mass
Of the common people and tho dowu
trodded victims OF plutocracy throughout
tho whole world. SO believing I shall
cast my vote and exert all the influence
which may have to ensure the election
OF William Jennings Bryan as President
OF the United States.
G.. ". Sw1YK.