The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1900-10-23
NOTES FROM Washington
Capital Correspondent Writesof Re-
publican Scheme to Defeat
Bryan.
COERCION THREATENED BY TRUSTS.
Plan of Democrats to Retaiiate on
Combines-GuerriIin Organizations
of Capital Are Restless and Uncer-
tain-Tbe Meaning of Bryan's Efec-


tain-The Meaning of Bryan's Efec-
tion.
The democrats propose to strike back
at the trusts and corporations that are
using intimidation tactics to compel
their employees to vote for Mckinley.
The democratic national committee
recommends that all democrats and
their allies refuse to buy goods made
: by firms using intimidation to deprive
their employees of free vote. A list
of such firms, so far as known, will be
published broadcast by the democratic
committee But democrats are asked
to look up such instances as come with
in their own observation and apply the
remedy suggested.
To refuse to buy its goods is to strike
at the dividend-paying power of trust
or corporation. This is its most vul-
nerable point. 1t is the one way in
which the consumer can register an eff
fective protest against the illegal and
| immoral methods that are being EN-
ployed to reelect Mckinley.
The trusts began by displaying to
their employees bogus orders and con-
tracts. These all had clause proyid-
ing that the order should be "void in
caseof Bryan's election" This scheme
was worked in 90 with great effect.
This year employees are not to be
frightened. They remember the search
ty of work and depression of industry
after they had been coerced into sid
ing McKinleys election. They reason
that Bryan's election coald have
had no worse effect. They are restless
over the new and unconstitutional poll
cies adopted by Mckinley. Working
men will vote their convictions this
time.
A Trust Threat.
The trusts are now threatening a.
general lockout of workmen until elsc-
tion is over. This also was done in '9S..
There viii be difference this year
The wage worker will lace a temporary
lockout, il need be, in order to pre-
serve his right to vote as he chooses.
He will help to elect Bpyan iD order to
settle once aad for all the possibility of
coercion tactics becoming permanent
feature of republican campaigning.
Republicans profess sympathy for
labor, yet it ias the republican party
which is trying to take from the masses
their right to vote as theyplease~ This
Is very serious matter. If trusts and
combines are permitted tosuse coercion
this year withoat an effective pre&est.
every succeeding campaign will Snd
the people less able to assert tiiseir
rights as free ciaszens..
The trusts. lin their concerted at
teIupt at Intimidation. are showing
clearly that they intend to make help
less slaves of the producers of wealth.
They assume that; tire consumers are
already helpless under Intersections.
This is not entirely true however.
The farmers of tile northwest have tor
more than yearrefused tobuy bar5ed
wire fencing because the steel and wire
trust put its prices, so high. The result
was that this trast soon dropped priaes
several pegs, and is now anxious to
have the farmers buy bariss;i wire s.si all
most any price
The cordage trust is in dffficultiessSe-
ca dse the farmers refused to buy irvine
at the outrageous prices it charged.
They established and pakronized local
twine plants IN more than one stsste..
These examples are cited to show
that the trusts can DC brought TO
terms if the consumers choose to go
without their goods for little time.
| The crime of attempting to take away
! the right TO free ballot is very much
| greater than THAI of putting mp
| prices. II men are not going TO have
| the right to vote their convictions un-
der republican trust domination il is
about time a halt was called Demo
Gratis all over the country wifi refuse
to buy goods from firms that intimi-
date their employees.
Republican scheme.
The whole cry of business depres-
sion in case Of Bryan'S election is a
republican scheme to influence voters
who do very little thinking for them
selves. There win be a change il
Bryan is elected. Trusts and corpo-
rations whose chief assets are watered
stock will be insecure. The water
will be squeezed out of their stock
They will be forced to adopt legiti
mate business methods. This will rem
der the legitimate merchant and the
public more secure than under the
present administration. where wildcat
combines are encouraged.
The trusts that have been plunder
ing the people in order TO pile up bic
dividends for themselves will be inse
cure under Rryan's administration
They will be forced TO give an accoun
Of their transactions. Their cheap
ened methods Of production will b.
applied to give the consumer lowe
prices instead of the eXorbitant tar
IFS now levied.
Yes, if Bryan is elected the guer
r rilla organizations of capital will hay
I good reason TO feel restless and inse
cure. They will be put under legal re
strictions and the public will be pre-
tected from their rapacity.
If Bryan is elected the coal combin
viii pay It's miners more wages an
/ deliver coal cheaper to the copsumel