Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-05-26
BABCOcK AGAINST LABORERS.

The Metropolitan Street Railway
Company. Of Washington, had rules
in force in 1896 under which its CON
ductors and drivers were allowed
only eight minutes at noon in which
they were required to turn their cars,
change their horses and eat their
midday meal or go without. These
employees petitioned the president
Of the company for modification OF
the rule so as to allow them IA rea-
sonable time to eat their dinners.
The request was denied, and shortly
after many OF those who had joined
in the petition were discharged from
the service of the company. Espe-
cial antaganism was shown by the
company toward men who were
members of the order Of knights of
Labor. Such men were blacklisted
and regulations were adopted requir-
ing each person seeking employment
with the company to bring two rep
utable citizens engaged in business
in the city to guarantee that the APP
plicant was not and would not be-
come, while in the service of the
company, "A member of any labor or
ganization. This railway company
had already received valuable fran
chises from the city, and was then
seeking others through legislation
by Congress. The General order of
the Knights of Labor decided to take
action in the case, and appealed to
Mr. j. w. Babcock. chairman Of the
committee on the District of Column
ba, They did so by letter. asking
that before any futher franchises or
free gifts were granted TO the com
pauy, it be required to recognize the
grievances complained of by its en-
ployes, and To abrogate the rule dis
eliminating against men who be-
iouged to labor organizations.
This letter Mr.. Babcock ignored.
but second letter from the same
source brought reply in which he
said that the representations of the
lHNorers should have notice and he
l' ri FROM when any proposed leg
station granting franchises to the
crll pauy came up for consideration
ia his committee. Further, Mr..
BabcOck gave the petitioners verbal
assurance that they should be heard
before any action was taken up, but
that there was not likely to be any
thing done during that session--May,
1896.
At this time there was before Mr..
BabCock's committee bill granting
an eNtention franchise to the Metro
poIitan Company. which the repre-
sentatiVes of labor We're especially
opposed to, aud which they wished
to appear against, as Mr.. Babcock
was directly advised. Yet, within
two days after he had promised to
give these men a hearing before any
thing was done in the matter, Mr.
Babcock presented this very bill as
an amendment or ridder to another
bill before the House, when very
few members were present, and had
it passed. The bill with amendment
then went To the Senate, and there
the Babcock amendment was strick-
en- out.
MIR. Babcock's course in this mat
ter is one more evidence of his sub
servieucy t" the corporate influences
that are dangerously powerful in
Washington. The defeat of the
measure in the Senate, where the OPP
Portunity was had to give it consid-
Grafton, is presumptiye that it was at
least of doubtful merit. The method
employed by Mr.. Babcock to secure
its passage through the House, after
his promises to those opposing the
bill that they should be heard upon
it, were unbccomiug a man in his
position, There Is more IN relation
to this matter, equally unpavorable
to our representative, making suf-
ticient reason why he should not be
renominated. AND there are
others"
Don't sacrifice your health by talk
ing something said to bethe same as
Rocky Mountain Tea. There is
nothing made that cures rs quickly
- cents. Eastman n Heserole.
Homeseeker' Excursion.