Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-10-26
CAPITAL Correspondent Writes Of Re-
publican Scheme to Defeat
Bryan.
COERCION THREATENED BY TRUSTS,
Plan of Democrats to Retaliate on
Combines-Guerrilla Organizations
of Capital Are Restless and Uncer-
tain-The Meaning of Bryan's Elec-
ton.

a
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 it's goods is to strike
at the dividend-paying power of a trust
or corporation. This is it's most yul-
nerable point. It 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 reflect Mckinley.
The trusts began by displaying to
their employees bogus orders and con-
tracts. These all had clause provid-
ing that the order should be ''void in
case of Bryan's election" This scheme
was worked in go with great effect.
This year employees are not to be
frightened. They remember the search
y
after they had been coerced into aid
ing McKinley's election. They reason
that Bryan's election could 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 cleo
ton is over. This also was done in '96.
There will be a difference this year.
The wage worker will face temporary
lockout, if need be, in order to pre-
serve his right to vote as he chooses.
He will help to elect Bryan in order to
settle once and for all the possibility of
coercion tactics becoming a permanent
feature of republican campaigning.
Republicans profess sympathy for
labor, yet it is the republican party
which is trying to take from the masses
their right to vote as they please. This
is a very serious matter. If trusts and
combines are permitted to use coercion
this year without an effective protest,
every succeeding campaign will find
the people less able to assert their
rights as free citizens.
, The trusts, in their concerted at
tempt at intimidation, are showing
clearly that they intend to make help
less slaves of the producers of wealth.
They assume that the consumers are
already helpless under their exactions.
This is not entirely true, however.
The farmers of the northwest have for
more than year refused to buy barbed
wire fencing because the steel and wire
trust put it's prices SO high. The result
was that this trust soon dropped prices
several pegs, and is now anxious to
have the farmers buy barbed wire at al
most any price.
The cordage trust is in difficulties be-
cause the farmers refused to buy Irvine
at the outrageous prices it charged.
They established and patronized local
Irvine plants in more than one state.
These examples are cited to show
that the trusts can be brought to
terms if the consumers choose to go
without their goods for a little time.
The crime of attempting to take away
the right to a free ballot is very much
greater than that of putting up
prices. If men are not going to have
the right to vote their convictions un-
der republican trust domination it is
about time halt was called. Demo
Gratis all over the country will 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 will be a change if
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 plumber
ing the people in order to pile up big
dividends for themselves will be inse-
cure under Bryan's administration.
They will be forced to give an account
of their transactions. Their cheap
ened methods of production will be
applied to give the consumer lower
prices instead of the exorbitant tar
IFS now levied.
Yes, if Bryan is elected the guer-
rilla organizations of capital will have
good reason to feel restless and inse-
cure. They will be put unaer legal re-
strictions and the public will be pro-
tected from their rapacity.
IT Bryan is elected the coal combine
will pay its miners more wages and
deliver coal cheaper to the consumer
Likewise the farmer will get better
prices for his wheat and -four will
be lower to the consumer.