The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-11
MKINLEY AND THE LABORERS.

MKINLEY AND THE LABORERS.
Mr.. Bryan is posing as the champion
Of the laboring man, claiming that the
party whose candidate he is has but
one disturbing thought and that the
hard lot Of the wage-earner. If Mr.
Bryans party were not in power this
very minute his professed anxiety
might go farther. 1t Is the Demo
cratic party, the party which will dom
mate him in the event of his election,
which has in the brief space Of three
years and half completely done up
the labor interests of this country. On
that fatal November day In 1892 when
it was announced to the country that
free trade had won, the interests and
values of an entire continent slumped.
There was no easing off or waiting for
an actual bill to be introduced and
passed, but then and there. immediate
" the industrial interests Of the United
States received a whitening blast from
which they have not revived until this
day.
Mr.. Bryan is great on words, but
actions speak louder than words, and a
record goes farther than a promise.
Major McKinley's first important case
as a lawyer was a defense of labor,
his first political prominence the de-
Tense of a strike. 1t sent him to con-
| gress from district of mines and fac
tories. Since that hour he has ever
been the champion of labor, whether
| in congress, as an executive officer, and
on the lecture platform. Mr.. Bryan
on the contrary was q strong advocate
of the measure in the triumph of which
| American labor was Frustrated. Nc
\ Kinley has held that where wages are
low two men are always TO be found
hunting the same job, where they are
high two employers are found hunting
| for the same workman.
In looking up the record Of Major
McKinley's votes and speeches in con-
gresS we find him always championlng
the cause of labor and industry. Mr..
Bryan, on Monday before labor dem
in favor of arbitration. But Mckinley
has so talked and voted for years. Ten
years ago in speech on labor arbitra-
ton he said:
There is a sense of fair play among the
people, which, when crystallized into pub
lie judgment, is as potent-aye. more po-
tent-than statute or judicial decree. No
Fo,, Lob 1ryNfR M
body of laboring men, could long hold out
against fair and equitable demand, back
ed by willingness 10 submit the business
of that demand TO a board of competent
arbitrators.
/ believe N arbitration as principle; I
believe II is the true way of settling diff
ferences between labor and capital; be-
lieve it will bring both 10 a better under
standing, uniting them closer in interest,
and promoting better relations avoiding
force. avoiding unjust exsct,ons and op-
pressions. avoiding the loss OF earnings to
labor. avoiding disturbances to trade and
transportation: and If this house can con-
tribute IN the smallest measure by legisla- !
tive expression or otherwise TO these ends
II viii deserve and receive the gratitude
OF all men who love peace. good order,
justice. and fair play.
On the eight-hour law for all work
men in the employ of the government
he spoke as follows:
am in favor OF this bill II has been |
said that 1t is bill TO limit the oppor- |
tunities OF the workingmen to gain a !
livelihood This is not true; Il will have |
the opposite effect So far as the govern |
ment OF the United States as an employer |
Is concerned. IN the limitation for days |
work provided in this bill to eight hours |
instead of putting any Limitation upon the |
opportunity OF the American freeman 20 |
earn a living # increases and enlarges |
his opportunity. Eight hours, under the |
laws OF the United States, constitutes a /
days work That law has been on our |
statute books for twenty or more years |
In all these years IL has been 1.-The word |
OF promise to the ear" but by the govern |
meat Of the United States Il has been
broken 10 the hope" The government I
and its officials should be swift to execute /
and enforce It's own laws; failure in this /
particular is most reprshensibie. Now.
Il must be remembered that when we con-
st,tute eight hours a days work. instead |
OF ten hours, every four DAYS gives an ai-
ditioaal days work TO some vo-iing-nsa 1
who may not have any employment az all
II Is one more days work. one more days
wages. one more opportunity for work
and wages. an Increased demand Cor labor
an IN favor OF this bill as Il IS amended
ny che gentI4--s1 from, Maryland Il ap-
plies cow only 20 the labor % raez's hands
II applies only 10 their work L dos not
amply 70 material; ;t does TO. apply TO
transportation II only applies 20 actual
labor SKILLED ana ursk,ilei. employed by