The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-21
Posing as Labor's Friend.
Omaha Bee.

Among the many false pretenses OF the
Bryan campaign none is more mendacious
than the candidates professed friendship
for the wage-working class. Never in his
political career, until he received the NOM
ination for the presidency. had Mr.. Bryan
assumed to he the particular friend OF
labor. He did not acquire his reputation
as champion OF the woSingman. So far
as known he did not while In congress
advocate any legislation intended 10 pro-
mote. directly or indirectly. the interests
of labor. On the contrary. he devoted his
time while in that body to attacking the
industries of the country which gave en-
ployment 10 labor, or what is the same
thing. the policy by which the industries
were built up and sustained He was
thus partly instrumental IN striking a
blow to American labor from which
millions have suffered privation and hard
ship during the past three years.
During that period of h's public career
Mr.. Bryan was zealously engaged in
making war on protection, which he said
made prices unduly high. and ne did this
In reckless disregard OF the fact. since
demonstrated that reducing protection
would of necessity lower the wages of
those employed In the protected indus
tries. He declared that the protection de-
manded for the laborer was a mere pre-
tense and unnecessary. Then Mr.. Bry-
ans concern was wholly for the agricul-
tural producer. In whose behalf he wanted
prices reduced. regardless of the effect on
labor. The policy ne advocated was in
part successful ana both the agricultural
producer and the laborer have suffered
from ii. The former has lost by reason
Of reduced demand for his products in
the home market. The latter has had less
employment al reduced wages. Now Mr..
Bryan is appealing TO both of these class
free silver Will enable him TO sell his
products at a higher price and the other
that that policy will make no change in
the purchasing power of his wages.
According 10 statement of the chief
factory inspector OF Pennsylvania, Mr.
James Campbell. Mr.. Bryan manifested
while In congress distinct hostility 10
workingmen. Mr. Campbell was a men,
Der of a committee that went 10 Washing
ton City in 1888 10 urge the ways and
means committee TO protect labor en-
ployed in the manufacture OF glass. ffe
says he was present when Mr.. Bryan
called workingmen who asked for pro-
lection public beggars" and their en-
ployers robbers. Mr.. Campbell is thus
quoted: Mr. Bryan made that statement.
/ have made affidavit 10 the same and !
am willing to make affidavit in any court
in this country in the presence OF Mr..
Bryan or anybody else. The fact Of a man
holding the honorable position OF a con-
gresham making such a statement made
such an impression on me at that time
that ii would be impossible TO forget tho
incident" There is nothing incredible in
this. II accords with the intolerant spirit
Of hostility 10 protection shown by Mr..
Bryan throughout his two terms in con.
gresS-a hostility as bitter he now
manifes,s toward the gold standard.
Mr.. Bryan Is now seeking the votes OF
the wage workers. without which he has
no possible chance OF being elected. and
with trIe demagogic instinct he processes
friendship for them? Can II be possible
that he thinks they can be so deluded as to
lose sight Of the great injury he helped
TO do them? There is reason 10 believe
that he does not place a very high esti-
mate upon the intelligence OF this class.
but he Will learn in due time that a ma
Jority OF them are familiar with his re-
cord. and are not TO be caught 10y false
pretenses now that he wants their votes.