West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-10-01
COERCION THE GAME.
Employers Arc Pressing the Thumb
Screw for Hanna
Tho Slogan OF tho $50 Called "Campaign
of Educatlon" Has Como to De
"Note as Tell You
Starve."

pet - t'h hoO
or starve."
National Democratic and Silver Head
quarters, Chicago, Sept. is. 1896: As
the campaign progresses IL becomes
more and more apparent that the heads
OF the great corporations are following
Mark Hanna's advice In regard 10 the
methods TO be employed TO gain the
vote of their employees. Coercion OF the
most ilagrant type is being employed
on all hands TO stem the tide of popular
sentiment I'm favor of Bryan Nothing
like IT. has ever occurred before in any
election In this country The slogan
OF the so-called campaign OF educa-
tion" has come 10 he vote as tell YOU
or starvo-" Hanna knowing so well the
potency of this argument has Impressed
its Importance on the managers of the
railroads and other great corporations
and they are carrying his idea into ot.
feet in the most shameless, brutal man
ncr.
In some instances the employees are
given TO understand that II they do not
vote for Mckinley the shop will be
closed and they thrown out of employ
hANhN. III VAlitI PARTICULARS
~ in case OF the railroads. there Is no
mincing of matters, and the men arc
told frankly and bluntly II they do not
vote the way the company wants them
they will be discharged. Here Is the
testimony OF n man who works as n car
cleaner In the Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul yards: "About IA week ago my
foreman came 10 me and said he wan ted
me To join railway mems Mckinley
club. / told him took little or no in
terest In politics, and did not care to
join He then told me plainly that IL
did not join he would get a man In my
place who would join. There are plenty
of men who are out of work and would
be glad To take your place, he said. and
1 concluded the best thing 10 do was TO
join the club. i am assessed 35 cents n
week and only get $i.25 day. There
are 300 members of the club, and am
satisfied the great majority of them
have been coerced into joining Just ns
/ was"
Superintendent Hubbcll, OF the Chi
cago division of the Rock Island rnil-
road, found there was n strong silver
sentiment among the men of his divi-
sion, and n few days ngo determined to
give them an "object lesson." lie dis
charged 66 trackmen who were getting
from $i.25 TO Sl.5O per day and put in
their places Ttnliars at 20 ccrts n day.
And whut made the matter nll the more
offensive was the employment of the
padrone 20 boss the men and get 10 cents
OF their wages TO do 1t. The Rock Island
has on It's pay rolls 12 campaign orators
who are going 20 all points on the sys-
tenn and harranging the men on the aw-
full results which Will come TO the work
ingmen II Bryan Us elected.
Several OF the big factories Of the
West side arc giving their men an hour
20 listen to- the talk of campaign orators
In the interest of Mckinley. The Crane
Manufacturing company, the FowleY.
company and the Featherstone company
all give their men an hour in the after
noon to listen 10 gold arguments When
committee from the Silver club of The
Typographical union asked Mr.. Crane
for the privilege Of having It's speakers
address the men he said he would only
consider the proposition on the under
standing that the speeches should be
written or printed and submitted TO his
censorship.
And so II goes. On every hand comes
evidence of the worst intimidation and
coercion of employees In the interest Of
the gold ticket. II n form of intimida-
tion which Is effective because IL Is in
sidious. The argument that the inter
est of the workmen must be identical
with that of his employer IS being used
for all there Is I'm H.. That with oren
threats Of discharge for friendIlness for
Bryan is driving many Of the t.mid ones
into the Mckinley camp, but reaction
Is setting In In opposition TO these
feudal methods which will react on the
republicans In way they little dream
Of.
The average American workman Is 200
independent md patriotic q man 20
let such mn insult 20 his manhood 20
unrcbuked. One Of the employees Of n
big firm said the other day at demo
cratic headquarters: "The old man can
make me wear Mckinley button all
right, but thank God he can't tell whatI
will do when get inside Of the election
booths. lie has his inning now because
/ cannot afford 20 assert the manhood
In me, but 1 will get even on election
day"
This is the sentiment Of every Antr-
lean workman and Mr. Hanna already
realizes that his coercion policy IS a bad
mistake. He Is attempting 10 cali of
the bnlldozinR employers. and assures
worldngmcn that they will be permit
ted 20 vote as they please" This IS q
great concession for man Of I1anna's
stripe to make, and people who only
work 5or a living should be duly grute-
full
LAYING a TRAP pOR ANFptcA