The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-14


nevertheless. fought bitterly to the last
A week ago the annual meeting OF tho
board OF directors was held. 1t became
evident that a majority had sold out TO
the trust. In vain did Wetmore argue,
then storm. then plead with tears In
his eyes. His associates turned deaf
ear to his entreaties. They offered him
the presidency under the trust at sal
airy Of SIS. 600 year. Hot with indigna-
ton, Witmore refused Office under the
trust and announced his retirement from
the concern he had devoted his life to
help build. A new president and
other officers were elected, and Witmore
left the meeting. after warning the di-
rectors the consequences Of their act.
1t was. nearing the hour when labor in
the vast factory ended for the day. For
the last time Wetmore walked sadly
through the buildings. To some of the
foremen he told the. news. OF his sever
ance from the company. It spread with
the rapidity Of a prairie IRE. Half an
hour later, when Wetmore emerged from
the great arch OF the factory. his former
employees to the number Of 1000 filled the
street and blocked his way.
FAREWELL TO WORKMEN.
On the steps he paused and permitted
his dimmed vision to wander over the
sea of upturned faces. He saw there
once dressed, their fingers stained brown
from Stripping he saw gray haired
men, who. with him. had witnessed the
building of the factory. his trusted en-
ployes and friends. On many of those
faces were tears and on all concern and
regret. The crowd saw a man past the
prime in life, plainly dressed, his barred
head tinged with gray, his face tear
stained and deep sown with lines Of
strong emotion. For years they had
known him. Many of them had gone to
the '-old man. In their hour of trouble;
often he had stood beside collins in their
frugal homes and Ightened the load Of
woe with comforting words.
When Wetnore began to talk his
, choked voice broke one Of those tense
silences which speak the bottled emo
| tons of men.
He spoke briefly of the small beginning
of the company and its success Then
he told of his twelve years fight against
the trust and his final defeat He assured
the men of his esteem, urged them to re-
main loyal to their new employers and
babe them farewell. A mighty cheer
! went up when he finished, and then his
cid employees crowded around and shook
Col. Wetmores hand until it was sore.
So ended an unusual and affecting scene,
which finally severed a man from a thing
of his making.
AS he walked through the crowd on his
| way to a trolley car Mr.. Wetmere drew
piece of tobacco from his pocket and
threw it on the ground.
81 will not chew trust made tobacco"
he exclaimed. From this moment L cease
to use the leading brand manufactured
by this Ubiquitous combine. and 1 want
| you and your friends to follow my exam
pie.
/ Although NJ c.. Wetmore.s name is lit-
/ tie known in national politics. his infiu-
| ence has been far reaching. Ills hand has
| been felt rather than seen. For many
years he has worked quietly in the ranks
| Of the Missouri Democracy and was
! known to the state. committee as liberal
contributor to the campaign fund Not,
! however, until three pears age did his
| power extend beyond the boundaries Of
| his state.
| POWERFUL IN POLITICS.
In 1886 the prominence Of the silver
question thrust Missouri for the first time
| into sphere Of national influence Rich
ard Parks Bland was the recognized apos-
! tie of the movement,in favor OF the white
metal. AS the time for the national con-
/ vention approached a number OF prorni-
nent Missourians put their heads togeth-
| er and decided that the states oppor-
tunity had come TO make itself felt. State
| Senator John Farrros, a warm personal
friend OF Bland, had already heraided the
silver champion as the man to lead the
new Democracy to victory. The state
press had taken up the slogan. and 1t was
| evident that Bland needed but 10 be taken
| UP by his own state 90 become formida-
bic candidate for the presidential nomina-
! ton.
| At this juncture there was a hasty get
ting together of state politicians Silver
Dick had never been popular with the
| men who controlled the state machine
| because he held himself aloof, although
he never interfered. The politicians saw
! that the Bland movement had genuine
| vitality, and decided not to obstruct It
But there was no money to engineer tho
Bland boom. In this emergency Wetnlore
| came to the rescue, with the result that
i Bland went to the convention with over
200 delegates pledged.
| What happened at Chicago is history
| Bland refused to be dragged from his
| farm. near Lebanon, into the turmoil To
! frantic kilograms from his managers.
| asking acquiescence to this or that
! deal" he returned the invariable reply:
| 81 desire only the good of the party The
convention must do what 1t considers
! best So. hundred votes short of the
necessary two-thirds, the Bland boom
lost momentum, then began to ~ane.
| Confident they could not nominate Sill
vez Dick" and never very enthusiastic in