New-York tribune., 1898-01-23

was in no mood to have the political tune
changed
The Nationalist orator having had his fun
without expense. gracefully gave way TO the
legal lessees Of the wagon. The chairman took
off his hat and attempted TO open the proceed
ings on the advertised basis. but there was con-
tinuous hooting and groaning and not a word
could be heard He undertook TO obtain assist
ance from the police and the uproar increased.
NJ. Keir Hardic with a face white with anger
mounted the second bench and began 10 gestcu-
late violently. but his loudest shrek in
audible in the tumult. In a moment he was
forced 10 sit down. for strong hands were on the
shafts and the horse was led off in the direction
of Davygate. the crowd laughing In derision
The wagon was pulled up against a curb and
blocked. and Mr. Hardie who is a good fighter
and never likes 10 miss the opportunity for max
ing a speech, again stood on his bench and
opened his mouth a sudden jerk Of the shafts
as the horse was whipped around. compelled
him to resume his seat and the wagon was
drawn rapidly away with twenty men pushing
behind and the crowd scurrying in every direc-
tion. one by one the leaders OF the Independent
Labor party sprang out Of the wagon. which
was carried IN triumph to Exhibition Hall.
Alr Hardie and his friends had lost their
~
later hour in the evening and they were able
to give full expression 70 their Indignation over
this outbreak Of rowdylsm. They rallied in
force on a solid platform. red in the face and
choleric in temper Mr. Hardie. with all his
resources Of Imagination and rhetoric. could
hardly find words in which - denounce the
glaring insult offered 10 wcrkng-cla opinion
lie had been informed that prominent Lib
eral had predicted during the afternoon that
there would be lawlessness in St. SIMPSONS
square, and he considered this a satisfactory
proof that the attack had been organized and
paid for, If not in money, at least in beer. Free
dom Of speech and liberty OF action had been
wantonly intcrfered with. and the stronge 81
and most effective protest should be made by
self-respecung labor 1t would not be enough
FIR workingmen 10 abstain from supporting
candidate Who had fought against trades union
ism Tncy must vote against him. Other
speakers. who had been jostled out Of the
wagon. strongly supported this suggestion. and
a resolution was passed calling upon all mem
bers Of the Independent Labor party to vote for
Lord Charles Beresford.
This episode Of the captured wagon was sig
nincant, because 1t served to array against the
Liberal candidate the labor forces commanded
by Keir Hardie and John Burns When the
Conservatives brought forward their candi-
date the most popular sailor in the British
Navy, who had received in action at Alexandria
the complimentary signal fror1 the Admiral
Wen done. Condor" and who had nearly sue
cecded in rescuing Gordon. the Liberals fell
back upon rich shlpbuilder and shipowner
Of West Hartlepool as their representative. Sir
Christopher Furncss's chief distinction the
fortune which ne had amassed by his own en-
ergy and business capacity. His Knighthood
had been earned by timely contributions to
political campaign funds. and. while he had
once been sent 10 Parliament In by-election he
had twice been defeated. While a fluent
speaker he was a cautious and evasivc can
vasser and not q candidate, like Lord Charles
Boresford. u inspire enthusiasm. What his
political supporters counted upon the In
fuence Of his commercial and industrial con-
necti0us In The north OF England, and they took
the risks Of ailr0nting by his candidature those
working interests which had been wellnigh
paralyzed 10y a disastrous labor campaign for
eight hours
Sir Christopher Furness had a good reputa-
tlCn as employer. who had dealt equitably
and generously with a large body Of workmen;
but his engineering firm had united with the
forces Of capital. which have been directed by
the Employers Federation in the protracted
struggle against trades unionisn. This was a
fact which his political coach Mr.. Samuel
Storey was unable, with all his dexterity, 10
explain away. The candidate could be set right
on the Home Rule question, and every detail OF
the Newcastle programme. and his wealth and
enterprise. and even his munifcent charities.
could be- exploited with fine effect. but his con-
nection with the Employers Federation oper-
ated TO prejudice the working world against his
candidature. John Burns issued a fierce procla-