Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-28

know that degree, at least, Of the
prosperity of 1892 has returned to this
valley" Mr.. Danford went on to tell
his audience that things were boom;n ;
in general, that everybody was busy
and the country prosperous. and
ascribed this miracle to the beniicent
influences of the Dingley bill. He rang
the changes upon this thought. and
after talking for about fifteen minutes
gave way TO the star attraction of the
day.
When Mr.. Hanna was introduced he
said. among other things:
II am glad to have had the privilege
and opportunity to appear before such
an audience as this. You all know
that the Democratic party and the
Democratic press are engaged this year
in calling me labor crusher.' And
they said that while was making
speeches this year I did not dare con-
front an audience composed of labor
ing men. Well, ] am here, boys,
Faint applause.) I am here, And
l am here to tell you some things and
to tell you nothing but the truth. I
am here to answer the charges which
have been made against me, and I am
here to ask if any honest man believes
these charges. 1 am here to tell the
truth. A labor crusher.' Why, my
friends, l believe I was the first man
in the State Of Ohio whoa large en-
ployer of labor-made official recogni-
ton of organized labor. (Faint ap-
plause.) I was interested in the coal
business, and in 1872 or 1873 the Ma
tional Coal Miners Association of the
United States, with John Finpey as its
president and Mr.. James as its secre-
tary, brought the matter Of cO-opera-
tion to my attention. We had strikes
in the Tuscarawas Valley and they
could not be settled definitely or sat
lsfactOrily, and these men conceived
the idea that new era might be in
augurated by organizations of the OPP
orator and the Workmen, and Mr.. Fin
ney and Mr.. James came to Cleveland
and saw me, and asked if | would or
ganize the coal operators of the Tuscar-
awas Valley and have them treat with
the miners organization, that both
might cooperate for mutual benefit
| told them, after reading the consti-
tuition and bylaws of their organiza-
ton, that | would gladly do it. | did
it, and in short time we had a COM
plete organization Of the coal opera
tors of the Tuscarawas Valley, and we
appointed an executive committee en-
powered to take up differences and set
tie them by arbitration. | acted as
president of the operators organiza-
ton, and every single difficulty was
settled to the satisfaction OF both
sides.
fp,n lie 7 10 I'LL
what made me first believe IN organ
lied labor. 1t was the experience I
there had. | found that laboring men
were just as intelligent and just as
able to present their own cause, and
just as honest in carrying out their
promises, as we were. | found an OPP
portunity to avoid in the future all
differences and from that day until now
I have believed in organized labor, and
never in my life have asked a man
who sought employment whether he
belonged to a labor organization or
not or whether he was ever in a strike
or not"
CA voice-Where are the Lewis now2
Let them come out and ask theer ques-
tions.)
"Give them a chance at some other
time"
"a Voice-"They have had their
chance. Their day has passcd."D
"Never in my life have I asked a
man whether he belonged to a labor
organization or not or whether he was
a striker CT not Now l may be par
doned for dwelling a little longer on
these personal matters, because this
whole campaign has narrowed down
to attacks upon me. 1t was at first
said there were three issues in this
mpaign-the tariff, free silver and
MarlS Hanna. 1 will take up the last
one first, and l promise to tell the
laboring mon of this valley about it,
and will be content to let you decide
I'm 1896, wien the Democratic smut
machine was in full operation, it did
not dare to attack the character and
fame Of William Mckinley. Why (?
Because they knew-what everybody
know-that William Mckinley was the
friend and the champion of the labor
ing men-of the common people. They
knew that he stood for the principles
which had built up the industries Of
this country, and not daring to attack
him, they chose poor me. daughter
This labor cTusher' business is no new
dodge. They called me q labor crush
or years ago, and they have not proved
it yet
Mr.. Hanna here digresscd for a time
to talk Of the principles of the Republi-
can party, and from that went into
politics, commencing with the Colum-
bus Convention, and after telling his
audience that the workingmcn were
intelligent, could read, ETC., ne said:
Every mill along the Ohio Valley
busy to-day, is an answer to cur party
argument, and verifes the promises OF
! TIC Republican party. We
claimed that prosperity would follow
| our victory, and has it not come? But
| you must remember that although pros
| perity has come. We have Yet only the
dawn of it. We have not yet the full
effects. Just before the passage OF the
| Dinghy bill the importers filled up the
country with goods OF all kinds, and
| those goods must be worked off, but
| when they are, then We will see the
MONDAY sun, and ii will have come to
stay"
He impressed upon his audience
| the importance of the coming election
! and betrayed the Republican anxiety
| about Belmont county when he said
that one vote might change the result
] in the county, as to the members oil
| the Legislature, and their vote might