Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-06

said he was invited to address the meet
ing, but on short notice. He did not ex-
actly know where he was at, but thought
he was a wage Garner, inasmuch as he
was working for a salary. He is employ
ed by corporation.
I'VE are all dependent on each other"
he said. II can't understand why every
man who goes into the mines, factories
and fields does not support the great
champion, Bryan. You cannot support
the money powers. You should jealousy
guard your own interests 1t is to your
own interest and that of the average bus
mess man that the producer should have
a snare of what he produces. The farm
erS IN 1862 were prosperous The man
who then produced reaped a benefit from
1t. All wealth is produced by labor. Mem
who go into the mills, mines and fields
produce wealth. Organized society of the
Wealthiest class should share with them.
The few who have the wealth have gotten
1t by robbery and extortion. Since 1862
When Hazard came to this country and
instituted a system of robbery among
the bankers, the producers have been
going downward.
1.-THE fight on Bryan is not fight be-
cause of money. That doesn't bother
those of the opposition. They want to be
able to go to the supreme court and de-
mand restraining orders, and they are
afraid they will be cut off, The Sea-
board Air Lire fight was here referred to
by the speaker.
Had the plutocracy the power you
would not be here tonight your liberty
would be taken away, and you would be
nothing more than slaves. Have you ev-
err thought of this? All ask of the mon
ey power is to give me liberty equal with
them
DO you believe If I were to go to the
supreme court and ask for an order re-
straining my employers from cutting
down my wages, l would get it? No. sir!
II we had the sagacity Of the. wild ass of
the plains we might defend ourselves;
but we haven't. My idea is equal rights
to all and special favors to none. That's
why am in favor of free coinage. | am
a populist, yet l advocate Bryan and the
Chicago platform. If you find one who
does not, 1t is because of ignorance.
The wage earnerS are to blame for
their present condition. They will not get
together. A man said to me that he was
in favor of Mckinley and a protective
tariff. L asked him why. He said be-
cause 1t would keep out the pauper labor
of Europe. l said to him, the gold stand
ard of England and Italy made paupers
OF thousands and reduced the wage earn
ers to apject slavery and poverty. When
money is contracted 1t is like a lot of men
on platform as the planks are cut off
the little fellows fall off and the big
DULLES hang on
Il talked to a coal dealer and asked
him how his business was. He said it
was DdQ. L asked why. He said because
of overproduction. 1 asked him If all the
consumers were supplied. He said no.
asked him why. He said they didn't have
the money to buy i asked him If the
mines were closed and miners thrown
lout of work if it would not force many
small dealers out of the market. He said
yes. He could not answer any further
questions, and told him to go to think
ing.
There are thousands out of employ
ment. l am like Coxey, if you can't give
the idle men other work put them on the
highways and give us better roads and
give the men means of earning an exist
ence. The very moment you put men to
work they become wage earners. I would
rather meet man with pick and shovel
than with gun.
THE present legislative system is ruin
Ing the country. AS 1t now is the few are
amassing the wealth, and with ten years
more of the present system they will own
the entire country, and the wage earners
become slaves
The speaker here quoted from the
Scriptures, and closed by exclaiming:
THE expectations of the poor shall not
perish forever"
Mr.. Phelps was listened to patiently,
and frequently applauded.
The meeting then adjourned until Fri
day night.