Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-07
Copyright. 1896. by Robert Barn.

CHAPTER XSIX.@Continued,.
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 a greater incen-
tive for making and accumulating money
than he had; nevertheless. he desired above
all things to hold the good opinion OF the
men, and to convince them that he was
working for them, and not for himself. He
realized that alone he was powerless, but
with their united support he was invinc-
ible.
He called a meeting to reconsider the
salary Of the secretary, and that meeting
was we'll attended; for the subject to be
discussed had more interest than his aban-
doned educational campaign, the purpose OF
which was to teach them the principles OF
combination. Most of the men thought him
a fool in not knowing his own good luck.
Marsten. addressing them, said that his
whole object in taking the secretaryship vas
to bring about an amalgamation OF labor
which would make the results OF future
eir,kes a certainty. All the rights mankind
possessed had been won by battle; but me
battles must be successful, and success was
only possible when there was no dissens!on
IA the camp. He frankly stated that he hal
learned there was some dissatisfaction be
cause he got more money than was earned
by many who labored in the ranks. and ne
had made an estimate OF how little he couiu
live upon, which was less than the poorest
paid employe Of the works received. lie was
willing to accept this sum, and would devote
HIS whole time and energy to the cause OF
labor as faithfully as If he were given ten
times the amount.
Gibbons, who had at last found employ
ment In the neighborhood, here rose to his
feet. He said he thought the office Of sec
rotary could be still more hlled'
He was sure they had men among them, now
in employ. who would act as secretary WITH
out salary from the union and perform all
the duties quite acceptahly 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.
II did not do so because I was at that
time out of work. replied Gibbons, warming
to his theme. 81 don't wish to say a word
against the present secretary, but L would
like to ask him a question or two. lie seemed
once of the opinion that Sartwell was a very
shrewd. far-seeing man. / would nke 10
know, Mr.. Marsten, If you are still OF that
opinions"
81 am answered Marsten.
''Then can you explain to the meeting why
Sartwell has taken no further steps TO
cripple the union, which we all know he de-
sired to smash, and, in fact, did threaten
to smash? Why did he not, in taking back
the men, make it a condition that they
should leave the union?'
How should | know? l may say, how
ever, that | believe Sartwell to be an essen
TALLY Just man, although he may be mis-
taken in SOM things, and 1 don't think he
would interfere with the personal liberty oil
his employees"
at is very generous OF the secretary OF
our union to sp eak we'll of the honesty of a
man who looted out treasury, and we won
forget that Sartwell has at least one friend
among us. 1t is a little remarkable that
that one friend 81 ould have beer the OILY
man of al SarIwells employees who wds
suddenly dismissed, and, as far as we know
without cause. One more question, Mr.,
Marsten. Do you know why Sartwell dis
charged you?"
Marsten was silent, the color rising in his
face.
''Of course continued Gibbons, calmly
''you are not compelled to answer. / an
merely asking what many Of us have beer
thinking. You either know, or you do not
You have called this meeting, and i thinl
you should have the courtesy to answer any
uuestion-any reasonable question-asket
you. You say you want the support of tht
men, whose servant you are That is
reasonable desire; but to bestow that con
fdence we must have full knowledge of oul
man. | ask for the second time. do you
know why Sartwel discharged you?"
II do
"Why?"
ION account of a personal quarrel between
him and me with which this meeting ha.
nothing TO do"
oh, indeed! Then you had personal deal
ings with the man we were fighting, which
you would prefer us TO know nothing about