The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-09
The Grinding Process.


The Grinding Process.
"A few days ago an organization of
mill owners tried to justify a reduction
of wages by laying the blame upon the
laws passed in Massachusetts for the
protection of the operatives. Their
complaint is significant. because it en-
phasizes the reactionary tendency of
present conditions. If this grinding
process continues. the laboring classes
VIII lose all of the advantages which
they have gained in the last quarter of
a century. Instead of shorter hours for
adults and more education for children,
we shall be asked to lengthen the hours
of labor and tn dwarf the minds and
bodies of the children by manual labor
during the years when they should be in
school. How many plaques will be re-
quired to soften the hearts of our en-
thusiastic republican friends?''
MIR. Bryan then urged the necessity
of extending and perfecting the work of
the democratic club. closing with the
words: Il will therefore lid you be of
good cheer. Unless all political omens
fail the 10th century will open with the
money of the constitution restored and
the motto Equal rights to all AMI pc
cial privileges to none the controlling
principle in all the departments f the
government. Then VIII our people sins,
new song of a nation redeemed"
Others Speak in the Same Vein.
Speeches We're also made by Senator
Stewart of Nevada. Sam +. Morse of
the indianapolis Sentinel. the Hon.
James II. Lewis of Washington, T. H.
r. Cobb of Atlanta. u. J. Campau IF
Detroit, Mayor Taegart of IndiinarnIis
and others. Hon James Hamilton
Lewis. congressman from Washington,
said in the course of his speech;
1T may not he gracious, but it Is just
that /. speaking for myself alone
should express difference from the lis
tinguished leader whose flag | followed
to the ditch and who agaln I am ready
to follow to that inevitable victory
which fate has decreed him-yet / differ
in the view expressed that the reinrar-
nation of silver is the most urgent need
of the hour.
Great and important as is tho aues.
tion, yet to me there ever arises that
other queStion-what avails 1t t. the
poor man should the government in
crease his money fourfod, while allow
ing favored monopolies to increa Sc their
privileges fourfold to take that money
from him? So long as the law permits
the concentration of wealth in the for
nation of trusts to dictate to the citi-
zen the price of the necessaries of exist
ence the citizens increased dollar would
but increase the sum paid by that citi-
zen for his existence. l say, therefore
that when these monopolies through
legislation, can set a value upon the
poor mans privilege of living there can
be no relief in eXpedients which pallate
for an hour the fast increasing wealth.
We have the spectacle confronting us
or the combined trusts controlling seven
billions, the consolidated banks eleven
billions. the railroads five billions, yet
this vast wealth. one-third of the ma
tons possessions, manipulated by less
men than would fill the Auditorium of
Chicago-not 10,000-who. by virtue of
this prodigious accumulation and its
power for evil. openly defy the laws,
corrupt the ballot box and defile the
judiciary: and as a result of it all they
force 31,000,0 600 of people to yield up their
benefits and 20,000,000 OF people to for
felt their political rights
Therefore, if there is any one duty
above all others. ordered of a true
democracy to perform. it is to curb and
prevent these high handed assaults on
the constitution by the men who fear
liberty. lest in the enjoyment of it their
offenses overtake them"