The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-07
BY ROBERT BARR
(copyright, 1896. by Robert Barry

\NopyriSnt, 1880, Dy ROBERT BarT-1
CHAPTER XXIx-Contirued
Marsten resolved to let nothing stand
IN the way of success. He believed he
could more than earn any salary they
gave him, and no man in London had
greater incentive for making and ac-
cunulating money than he had; never
Iheless, he desired above all things to
hoia the good opinion of the men, and
10 convince them that he was working
Tor them, and not for himself He real
lzed that alone he was powerless, but
with their united support he was in
vincible.
He called d meeting 10 reconsider the
salary of the secretary, and that meet
ing was We'll attended; for the subject
TO be discussed had more interest than
ms abandoned educational campaign,
the purpose of which was to teach
them the principles of combination.
MOST OF the men thought him fool
IN not knowing his own good luck.
Marsten, addressing them, said that
his whole object in taking the secre-
taryship was to bring about an ANAL
gamation of labor which would make
the results of future strikes a certain
ty. All the rights mankind possessed
had been won by battle; but the battles
must be successful, and success was
only possible when there was no dis
sension in the camp. He frankly stated
that he had learned there was some
dissatisfaction because he got more
money than was earned by many who
labored in the ranks, and he had made
an estimate of how little he could live
upon, which was less than the poorest
paid employee of the works received.
He was willing to accept this sum,
and would devote his whole time and
energy to the cause of labor as faith
fully as if he were given ten times
the amount.
Gibbons, who had at last found en-
ployment in the neighborhood. here
rose To his feet. He said he thought
the office of secretary could be still
more economically filed. He was sure
they had men among them, now in en-
ploy. who would act as secretary with
out salary from the union, and per-
form all the duties quite acceptably TO
the majority of the men.
why didn't you propose that when
you were secretary yourself, Gibbons?"
asked one of the audience. at which
there was some laughter.
Il did not do so because at that time
I was out of work" replied Gibbons,
warming to his theme. Il don't wish
to say a word against the present sec
Nlal Jul NOulQ ike W dSh I1lIu d
question or two. He seemed once of
opinion that Sartwen was a very
shrewd, far-seeing man. I would like
to know, Mr.. Marsten, if you are still
of that opinion?'
Il am" answered Marsten.
Then can you explain to the meet
ing why Sartwell has taken no further
steps to cripple the union. which we
all know he desired to smash, and in !
n ton n n XTTxr did
he not, in taking back the men. make !
it condition that they should leave |
the union?''
''How should 1 know? I may say, !
however that I believe Sartwell to be |
an essentially just man, although he |
may be mistaken in some things, and |
I don't think he would interfere with |
the personal liberty of his employees
1T is very generous of the secretary
Of our union TO speak well of the hon
esty Of a man who looted our treasury,
and we won't forget that SartWell has
at least ere friend among us. Il is
a little remarkable that that one friend
should have been the only man, Of all
employees. who was sud
denly dismissed, and, as far as we
know. without cause. One more
question, Mr. Marsten. Do you know
why Sartwel discharged your
Marsten was silent, the color rising
In his face.
~Of course continued Gibbons,
calmly, you are not compelled to an
swer. I am merely asking what many
Of us have been thinking. You either
know or you do not. You have called
this meeting, and 1 think you should
have the courtesy to answer any ques-
tion-and reasonable Cuestion-asked
you. You say you want the support of
the men. whose servant you are. That
s a reasonable desire: but to bestow
that confidence we must have full
of our man. 1 ask for the
second time, do you know why Sart-
veil discharged your
I do
.Why?'
"On account of personal quarrel
between him and me, with which this
Meeting has nothing to do
ooh, indeed Then you had personal
iealings with the man we were fight
ng, which you would prefer us to
NOW nothing about. 1 will not press
or a more specific answer. No man is
,cund TO incriminate himself I have
,iven Mr.. Marsten q chance to explain
ertain obscure points that have puz-
led some of US, and think tho answers
vrung from him, with only too evil
lent reluctance, have not bettered his
.osition. nor made any thinking man
mong us the more ready to bestow {
hat confidence which our secretary !
GEMS so much to desire. I would like
iow to call your attention to one or