Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-10-27

empting labor unions from it's opera
ton, the republicans voluntarily
buried it in the senate. Every wage
worker who belongs to labor union
knows of this attempt of the repub-
lican party to put into the hands of
the trusts the power to disband them.
When the political side of the con-
spiracy failed the trusts began the
plan of private coercion. There are
thousands of factories scattered
through the country today which have
over their doors notice that no men,
Der of a local union will be employed.
Workingmen understand that the war
fare against their unions has only be-
gun. 1t will be prosecuted with I'M
relenting ferocity if Mckinley is re-
elected and the trusts given a free
hand for another four years. 1t is not
question of party in voting for
Bryan. 1t is a measure of self-pro-
lection.
Wageworkers this year fatty refuse
to believe that Bryan's election can
endanger their chances of employ
ment. On the face of it, coercion is
working very satisfactorily for the
republicans. Workmen maintain a
judicious silence about Bryan. Every
time a forced poll is taken it
strengthens. the determination of the
men to assert their freedom and man
hood at the ballot box, even if they do
not dare to in the workshop.
The ominous silence with which
coerciye tactics are being used on
the men is the best proof that the men
are not wasting time making protest
beforehand. They know when and
where it will be effectual.
Hanna and his lieutenants are col
onizing and distributing large sums
of money with which to manipulate
the returns. A stolen election is Just
as good for their purpose as an hon
are determined to protect the victory
which is already in their hands.
Earnest, loyal Bryan men are to be
stationed ut every precinct in the
country. A free ballot and an honest
count is going TO be had if we have to
fight for it.
There can be no nobler struggle
than to protect the right of suffrage.
The trusts hope, through republican
machinery, to intimidate the voters
and failing in that, to count enough
votes for themselves to Offset the
peoples protest against the un-Amer-
lean policy of this administration.
If every democrat, in addition to
casting his vote, will make it a part
of his business on election day to see
that neither fraud nor intimidation is
permitted at his precinct, he will be
doing a great service to his country
and to himself.
Wageworkers hardly need advice
Their minds are already made up to
vote for freedom for themselves in
stead Of slavery to the trusts.
The election of Bryan means more
recognition for labor than has ever
been known in this country. The
trusts will be compelled to squeeze
the water out of their stocks. Labor
will not longer be compelled to pay
the dividends on water stock out of
the wealth which it produces which
should be given to it.
With representative of labor as a
cabinet officer and taking active part
in the counsels of government, It will
not be possible for the trusts to crush
labor unions, import cheap labor ad
libitum or to starve labor as the Goa
miners and sweat shop operatives are
now starved.
The election of Bryan means not
only the full dinner pail, but a good
deal more. 1t means the restoration |
Of opportunities to young men and
1t means time for education |
and margin for hope. 1t means
that the ordinary citizen will be given |
iusticc-that in itself guarantees sta
bility of government and real pros
perity.
Every form of coercion, corruption |
and colonization will be used by the |
in the next ten DAYS in
order TO make the trusts-the real an
archists and law breakers-the per-
rulers of the country.