The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-17
BUTTE News.
RADICAL LABOR LEADER
President Boyce Sees No Signs
of Prosperity.
TIMES GROWING WORSE
And Will Continue to Do So While the
Present Gold Standard Is Retained.
People Are Losing Confidence
in the Government

Ed Boyce. president of the Western
Federation of Miners, whose headquar-
rers are in Butte. was i'll Spokane few
days ago and was interviewed by the
Chronicle as follows:
President Boyce is ranked as one OF
the most radical of labor leaders; but
a more quiet-looking man it would he
hard to find Tall and thin, dressed in
the plainest of black clothes, with not
even a pin or watch charm to relieve
their sombre hue: a thin. smooth-shaVen
face, close cropped hair. big eyes, a
frank boyish smile-that is the man
who. in certain circles, is pictured as the
high priest of dynamite, mob rule ana
anarchy.
How is the Miners Federation doing
row. Mr. Boyce?" asked Chronicle re-
porter.
Mr.. Boyce hesitated lie didn't like 10
be interviewed-that was easy to see.
But he answered courteously.
THE federation is moving along
quietly, and is growing and prosper
ing"
..How are the Occur d'Alenes?'
"A great deal OF work Is being done.
The mines are employing large forces
and making heavy shipments of ore
DO you think there is an increase of
prosperity throughout he country
mo There is not In some of the
farming districts times are a little bet
ter owing to higher prices for grain.
But among the laborers in the factories
and cities the conditions are not better.
They are worse-worse.
will times improve"
mo; not while our present money sSs-
TEN is retained. This country needs al
increase in the circulating medium.
Times must grow worse as long as The
gold standard is maintained. And vet
/ do not see how they can be much
worse. The condition Of Americas
working classes is deplorable. In The
East il is far worse than in the West.
Things cannot grow much worse. IT
this nation holds to the gold standard
much longer l do not believe the integ-
ity of the republic can be maintained"
Then free coinage Will be the great
issue in this years campaign
'No--at least it is doubtful one can
not predict safely in these days of sud
den change: but ii looks as if the next
great issue will he the initiative and ref
erendum."
And the money question will be
forced into the background"
Not exactly that. The money ques-
tion must be settled before this people
can prosper But If the initiative and
referendum can be gained il will help
people have lost confidence in the gov
eminent. They know that congress is
doing nothing for their relief and plans
TO do nothing. The greatest journals of
the land accept this as a settled fact.
and the people everywhere. no matter
how poor and ignorant they may he,
know il is true. They feel that CON
gress has drifted away from them; that
they have no longer voice III making
the laws that some way is needed to
bring the government nearer to the peo-
pie; and they are willing to seize almost
any plan that will promise relief"
viii IL give relief"
Yes i believe it will. In the first
place it will reduce the number Of the
laws passed-that is good. II will as
sire their full discussion before pas
sage. Best of all il will check coriup-
ton. A man or a corporation can buy
legislatures; but it viii not be so easy
10 buy up the whole people