The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-07
Is the Idle Man, Said w. j.
Bryan at st. Louis
Where He Addressed the Larg-
est Crowd Ever Seen
IN CONCORDIA PARK.
Touches on Injunctions and Re-
fers to Arbitration
As One of the Most Needed PO-
litical Reforms.

st. Louis, MO-, Sept. Tine feature
of the Labor day celebration in this
city was an address by w. J. Bryan at
Concordia park. The biggest crowd ever
seen in the park greeted thespeaker. His
speech throughout was enthusiastically
applauded. Previous to the meeting
Mr.. Bryan reviewed parade of 5000
laboring men.
Mr.. Bryan spoke in part as follows:
while 1 find pleasure in participant
ing in the exercises of this day, 1 am
also actuated by a sense of duty, be
cause the observance of Labor day af-
fords an opportunity for the discussion
of those questions which especially con-
cern the producers of wealth. In 3
pamphlet written. by distinguished
New York banker find the assertion
that the prosperity of farmers and Ia
borers depends upon the prosperity of
the business man. So long as one en-
tertains such an idea he is certain to en-
tertain erroneous views upon social and
political questions. All of the literary,
professional and commercial classes Will
find upon investigation that they rest
upon those whose brain and muscle con-
vert the natural resources OF the coun-
try into material wealth. Not only
must any real prosperity begin with
those who toll, but the nations progress
towards higher civilization must be
measured by the progress made by the
producing classes. Under every form
of government it has been possible to
point to a few persons possessed of
erage progress, not the progress of the
few, that must be considered. The inn
provement to be hoped for must come
from efforts outside of politics. Mental
discipline, moral training, habits of in
dustry and economy, all have their part
in improving the general condition of
our people and yet the influence OF leg
iSlation must not be overlooked. A form
of government like ours makes it pCSsi-
BILE for the people to have such legls-
lation as they desire, but even then it is
the people as a whole. The welfare of
the people must be sought, not in the
security of special privileges to them
selves, but in the denying of special
privileges to anyone.
THE labor organiza ton has been one
of the most potent influences in inn
proving the condition of the wage earn
ers. Labor organizations are almost
entirely responsible for the fact that
skilled labor wages have not fallen as
much as prices, although they have not
always succeeded in keeping employ
ment up to full time.
while giving to these organizations
credit for what they have done. it is
only fair to suggest that neither labor
organizations nor any other form of pro-
lection can secure to labor permanent
immunity if the general level of prices
continues to fall. The idle man is the
menace to the man who has employ
ment and the number of idle men must
necessarily increase if we have money
system which constantly ra iSeS the value
of the dollar ana constantly lowers the
market value of the products of la abor.
Arbitration of differences between large
corporations and their employees is one
of the political reforms most needed by
wage earners. Until arbitra ton is Sc
cured the strike is the only way within
the reach of labor Society at large is
interested in the differences which arise
from time to time between corporations
and their employees.
''Laboring people have a special in
tereSt just now in securing relief from
what is aptly described as tgovernme Mt
by Injunction The extent to which
the writ of injunction has been used
within recent years has aroused a hos
tility which is almost universal. 1t is
only a question of time when govern
ment by injunction will be cured by
legisla ton. The main purpose of the
writ of injunction is to avoid trial by
jury. Trial by jury is more important
to the American people today than it
ever was before in our nations history.
1t was originally intended as a protec-
ton against society and it is today the
main protection the people have against
plutocracy, which is to this country
what royalty is under a monarchial
fom of government
Last night the illustrious champion of
the silver cause was given a reception
at the Jeffersonian club. At least 5000
people attended during the evening and
many of these were given an opportun-
ity of meeting Mr.. Bryan.