The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-24

Four years ago a motley, ragged and
cOnglOmerate body of men under the
leadership of Jacob S. COxey marched
across the country to the very doors of
the national capitol bent on demanding
of the government some relief from the
conditions of which they complained
and of the results Of which they were
fair samples. The country laughed, the
newspapers had fun with them and the
police arrested them This week there
has been another body of men in Wash
ington on a similar GRAND. Although
they rode on cars and are well dressed,
they have been telling the same story
that Coxey tried to tell and are asking
relief from the same conditions that
Coxey would have asked relief from if
he had been permitted to do so.
Members of the American Federation
of Labor under the leadership of Mr..
Gompers, have succeeded in reaching
the ear of Speaker Reed and of Presi-
dent Mckinley. They said: Multi
tudes of our working people-American
citizens, are suffering humiliating pow
erty and countless privations and look
to you for speedy relief. Last fall they
were promised helpful legislation, and
they expect it from you without unnec-
essary delay. In no party spirit we
appeal to you to heed their wants and
to promptly meet this unparalleled sit
uation in the true spirit of American
patriotism.
with industry half paralyzed, trade
stagnant, values depressed and shrunlS
en-, with enterprise stif1ed and the pro-
ductive power of labor palsied, with
our commerce listless on the seas and
our immense resources blighted, we bid
you haste the return of better times to
inspire confidence and bring cheer and
comfort to the homes of the millions of
citizens who now seek work and wages
in vain.
In the name of the producers in
shop and factory, in mill and mine, in
the fields and on our lakes, toilers out
of work and those underpaid, we urge
on you the necessity of legislative re-
lief"
From Speaker Reed they got little
satisfaction. He told them they must
wait until the tariff question is disposed
of.
President McKinIey's reply has not
been made public. He can hardly afford
to ignore these men. They are a very
different lot from CoXey's army and
they represent an organization of wage
earners 100000 strong. 1t is nothing
unreasonable that they ask It is not
Improper lIdt KIl0y SAOQiQ QGAIiStAlQ lAAdl
prosperity which was promised them.
Having made their complaint they pro-
posed a remedy which is simple and
not unreasonable. It is:
F'irst-Amendment to the federal
eight hour law so as to secure its prac-
teal enforcement on all public works
by or for the United States government
whether done by contract, sub-contract
or days work
SecOnd-A Femedying of our innni-
grafton laws to secure enlarged pro-
lection to American citizens and their
families.
Third-Reform in the national bank
ing system and in the issuance of the
currency of the United States so as to
secure the people from the possibilities
and disasters OF financial crises.
FOurth-Libera1 appropria tons for
government public works and for the
Improvement of rivers and harbOrs.
They say that they believe these
measures would restore in some degree
the vanished prosperity. They do not
ask for any special legislation; for a
tariff on anything. True, they ask ap-
prOpriati lions for public works and it
may be urged that there is no money,
but money is always found for building
expensive battleships and for many 9TH
er wasteful and extravagant purposes.
But recently an appeal for help was
made by the flood sufferers. The pres
ident sent a special message to congress
and the help was granted promptly.
Why should he not treat this new ap-
peal in the same way? Have they not
declared an emergency in existence?