davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

New York city has 10000 union
bricklayers and masons.
New York architectural iron workers
now receive 1920 per day of eight
hours.
Philadelphia plumbers on May !
will demand the eight-hour day and a
minimum wage rate of s3.75 per day.
Dayton, Ohio, is to have one and
probably two large silk mills which
will move to that city from Paterson,
N. j.
st. Louis Carpenters District council
has submitted to referendum vote OF
the affiliated unions proposition to
increase the iniation fee for carpenters
to $25.
The employees of the Saco and Petite
machine shops at Biddeford, Maine,
numbering 700, have struck work be-
cause the management would not COM
ply with their demands that only I'M
ion men be employed.
Nearly 5000 operatives in the mills
at Manchester, N. H., have been
thrown out of employment as the re-
suit of the formation of an anchor OF
ice in the river, which compelled a
shutdown of all factories not supplied
with steam power.
The Hamburg American steamship
line made a profit last year Of $4,5OO,-
900 on a capitalization of $65,OOO,OO0.
Eight per cent in dividends were paid.
1t is expected that IL per cent will be
paid stockholders for the business OF
1900. There are nearly 100 boats in
the service of varying sizes. The rush
to Paris this year accounts for the
prospective increase of so per cent in
dividends.
The 1900 workmen of the National
Tube company at McKeesport, Pa,
have had their wages advanced 10 per
cent, which is the second 10 per cent
increase within the past six months.
Not only McKeesport, but all the tube
workers in the United States will be
similarly treated, as all are under the
control of a trust. This means that
10000 men will have their pay ad-
vanced 20 per cent in six months.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
Protecting Employees.

To prevent employers from demand.
ing that their employees shall belong
to no labor organizations, the follow.
ing states have made laws: Califor-
mia, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, ILL
nois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wiscon-
sin. To prevent the discharge or the
employment of workmen on polit-
ical grounds many states have enacted
laws prohibiting employers from CO.
ercing employees by threats of loss OF
employment, ETC., to vote or not to vote
for particular candidates for Office or
particular measures, and from dis
charging employees on account OF the
way in which their votes have been
cast. The states and territories hav-
ing existing legislation upon the above
subject are: Arizona, Arkansas, Cal
ifornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Della
ware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mon
tana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexi-
co. New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South
Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Vir-
ginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Geor-
gia has law that now makes illegal
the efforts of some unions to limit
number of apprentices.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
COMING TO GOVERNMENT
OWNERSHIP.

II the sound counsel of such men Gs
Willis ]. Abbott prevails the Kansas
City Democratic convention will EN-
brace a strong government ownership
platform. In a recent article entitled
1.-The Issues Of 1900" Mr.. Abbott
writes:
An issue which I believe should and
will find place in the Democratic
national platform is the demand for
direct legislation, or the initiative and
referendum. This reform Is one Oh
which all the reform elements, which
make up so large part of the fighting
force of the Democracy as today con-
stituted, are united. 1t is an issue on
which there can be little difference Of
opinion, purposing, as 1t does, to carry
the theory of Democracy to its logical
conclusion, and to give the people ev-
cry practicable opportunity to legislate
for themselves without the interview
ton of legislators who have too often
proved treacherous.
And, finally, though not least,
among the issues which should find a
place in this campaign l would put the
government ownership and operation
of railroads and telegraphs. The poll
ticians can seldom be persuaded to dis
cuss this as an actual living, vital is
sue of the moment. They are inclined
to declare it something right enough In
theory, but for which the people are
not yet ripe. In this they are wrong.
The people are in advance of the poll
ticians on this subject. The part playei
by railroads in building up the trusts
the corruption of which they are per-
sistently guilty in the capitals of our
state and nation-the effect of their
determinations on tie fortunes OF
towns and even of great sections OF
the country, their alliance with mon
opoly in all it's forms, the part they
play in politics, and their efforts TO
control whole states-as in the case OF
the Louisville & Nashville road In
Kentucky-have all been watched by
the voters, who see clearly enough that
the day is near when either the gov
eminent must own the railroads or the
railroads will own the government.
The directors of the railroads may be
reckoned upon as antagonistic to the
Democratic party in any event, for
they are almost to man of that class
which was driven from the party by
it's declaration of independence in 1896.
If the party representatives in con-
yention at Kansas City shall have the
courage and wisdom to declare now
for government ownership they will
estrange no followers, but will gain a
host of new recruits.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
He'd Nothing but His Violin.

(Old Favorite Series.)
He'd nothing but his violin,
I'd nothing but my song,
But We were wed when skies were blue
And summer days were long;
And when we rested by the hedge
The robins came and told
How they had dared to WOO and win
When early spring was cold
We sometimes supped on dewberries.
Or slept among the hay,
But oft tire farmers wives at eve
Came oat to hear us play
The rare old tunes, the dear old tunes
We could not starve for long
While my man had his violin
And l my sweet old song.
The world has aye gone well with us,
Old man, since we were one;
Our homeless wandering down the lanes
1t long ago was done.
But those who wait for gold or gear
For houses and for kline,
Till youths sweet spring grows brown
and sere,
And love and beauty pine,
VIII never know the joy of hearts
That met without fear,
When you had but your violin
And l my song, my dear.
Mary Kyle Dallas.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
STOLEN GOODS.

The use of Lincoln's writings and
speeches in support of Democracy is a
clear case of stealing the livery Of a
saint to serve the devil. Lincoln's life
and utterances are an inspiration to
all his countrymen, and Democracy
proportion of it which can be distort-
ed to its case. If Democracy could
only get nearer to the great Republic
an president there might be some hope
for its ultimate redemption.-Omaha
Bee.
1t is lucky for the Democrats If they
have some good principles even If they
had to steal one-half Of them from
Lincoln and the other half from the
Populists. 1t would be well for the
Republicans also, If they would get
some good principles, even at the cost
of grand or petit larceny. The pres
ent leaders of the party have travelled
5000 miles to steal some islands. They
have stolen untold millions from the
people and given them to the trusts,
but they never have picked up an hon
est principle, although they have an
abundant opportunity. And that isn't
the worst of it, either: they have lost
all the principles that Lincoln gave
them. How many Republican men,
bers of congress indorse these grand
words of the great emancipator?-
Omaha Nonconformist.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
GOLDAND THE FAMINE
DESOLATION HAS FOLLOWED
DEMONETIZATIO IN INDIA
The Scarcity of Money Has Stopped the
Wheels of Production and Thousands
Are Dying In the RoadwsYs-A Self
[ ish Proposition.

The famine in India is said to ex-
tend over an area of half million
square miles-a territory four times as
great as that of the British isles. Fig
ures of the total population of the
famine-stricken districts and Of the
numbers aided show very clearly that
but small proportion can have re-
ceived relief The population of those
districts is something over 75,000,0O0
and the number aided something less
than 100000. While it is reasonable
to suppose that all the people do not
need relief, still it is equally reason
able to suppose that in such wide
spread suffering many are not reached
in the efforts to ameliorate the condi-
tions.
1t was Mr.. Moreton Frewen, the
great English bimetallist, who pointed
out recently, in communication to
London financial paper, the fact that it
was the closing of the Indian minis to
sponsible for much of the famine in
india. The natives, he claimed, would
be in position to avert wholly or in
part these recurring famines if it were
possible for them to have their trink-
cts minted into rupees. The fact that
they are not permitted to do so may
be taken to indicate two things-one
that human life and suffering is very
small quantity when weighed against
the advantages accruing to the money
ed interests through the operations of
the gold standard; the other that these
interests find it more profitable to feed
starving millions than to allow them
the opportunity to feed themselves.
Either way the gold standard is
selfish proposition with heart as
hard as the metal it represents.-Butte
(Mont) Miner.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

The ground on which foreign lega-
tion stands is considered as belonging
to the country whose flag floats from
the legation roof. Supposing a mem
Der of foreign legation in London
committed a murder, all we could do
would be to Suggest" "a favorite dip
lomatic word, always used, except in
relation to China) that the offender
should be sent back to his native coun-
try and punished there. Some time
ago, when a certain gentleman, whose
name was we'll known at the time, was
kidnapped into the Chinese legation, an
inspector from Scotland Yard imme-
diately proceeded thither and released
the prisoner. This was most serious
breach of international law, and was
intensely discussed ''in diplomatic cir
cles." Since the Chinese legation is
part and parcel of China, an invasion
of the celestial empire was thus made
by Scotland Yard official.-Chambers'
Journal.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

Excavations in southern Germany
have just established the fact that in
prehistoric times Europe was inhab-
tied by pygmies. Strangely enough
the discovery of actual and convincing
testimony to that effect in southern
Germany has been announced almost
simultaneously with the news of sim
liar discoveries in Switzerland and in
the Pyrenees. So now there Is proof
that Herodotus and Homer were not
"yellowing" when they told Of dwarfs
that lived in wooded hills and caves
far north of Rome and Greece.
The skeletons which have been
found are so small that they can be
placed in an ordinary museum
drawer. None of them is longer than
fifty-five inches and many are smaller.
There is no doubt that they are the
skeletons of real dwarfs. The bones
prove that the bodies were those of
adults The finds have been mounted
and are now being exhibited in the
National Museum of Switzerland lin
Basic. Scientists think that the little
people lived IN neolithic times
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
The Population of Europe,

Professor Supan, one of the most
eminent Of German statsticians. has
reached the conclusion that the pres
ent population of Europe, in round
numbers, is 3S1, 100000. In 1870 the
population was 3O2,O0O,OOO, and the
increase in thirty years has been 49,
900 900 or an annual average of over
100000 The result of DR.. Supan's
computations shows mean density OF
population for the continent of 80 to
the square kilometer. Belgium re-
mains the most densely populated
country, with 224 to the square kilo-
meter, Netherlands coming next with
1852, then the British islands with 1913
Italy Ill, Germany 81, Switzerland 76.
France II, and AustriaH Hungary 20,
Over one-third of the people Of the
United Kingdom now live in cities Of
Sc, 900 or more inhabitants. Towns Of
1000 residents are classed among the
large centers of population, and in all
the leading countries of Europe, with
the exception of Russia and SwitZer-
land, from a fifth to more than a third
of the total population now live in
these larger cities
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

Child Labor In Southern Cotton Mills.
The question of the employment of
children in cotton mills is one of the
most important problems of the indus
trial situation of the south, involving,
as 1t does, fully rs per cent of the Ia
Dor In many of its large factories The
question has been an issue in politics
In Georgia for the past ten years, but
1t was not until the meeting of the
state legislature last fall that the mill
owners began to realize fully the
strength of the sentiment against the
employment of small children in the
mills, when they should be In the
schools. The labor organizations en-
listed In the fight, and, at their re-
quest, a child labor bill was intro
duced. The warmest fight Of the SEES
sion took place over the bill, which
was defeated in the end, only because
it came up at the close of the session
when many members were devoting
their entire energies to getting local
bills passed upon. The bill passed the
house. Opponents of the measure
were surprised at the strength and or
ganization of it's advocates. the lead
ers of whom served notice that the
bill would be brought up and passed at
the next session of the legislature. 1t
was in Columbus that the agitation in
favor of the child labor bill was first
commenced in Georgia. The cotton
mills of that city furnish an opportu-
nifty for thorough investigation of the
subject. One mill there employing
1000 operatives, has as many as 400
children of school age on its pay roll,
about equally divided between the sex
es. The ages of these children run
down as low as 7 or years. The
smallest earn about 80 cents per day.
The work in itself is not heavy. but
the long hours and close confinement
are trying on these little ones, and Of
ten leave them invalids for life before
they reach manhoods or womanhood' S
estate. Older children earn as high
as $1.25 to $3.50 per day, but this is
mainly when they are unusually bright
and expert at the looms. The average
boy or girl Of IL to IA years of age
will earn from so to rs cents per day,
by working from eleven to twelve
hours Aside from the injury to the
health of the child operatives, they are
kept out of school, and grow up in
ignorance, so far as books are con-
cerned.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
CAMPAIGN INVESTMENTS.

In 1896 there was an enormous Re-
publican campaign fund. There was
no end to the money spent to debauch
the voters. The protected robbers car
ried the election and drew immense
dividends from the capital invested in
campaign contributions. None of that
money was lost, it brought big returns
in honest dollars AS soon Is the cleo
ton was over the formation. of trusts
commenced to increase and those COM
binations in restraint Of trade reached
in the aggregate several billions of
dollars. In one year, by virtue of ia
vorable legislation, the Standard Oil
company made SS0,OO0,OOO, the Carne-
gle Iron and Steel company cleared
$21 LOCO 900 and all other protected in
dustries profited in the same proper
ton. Those campaign investments
were so profitable that the trusts will
increase their contribution this year.
The Republican party will not be beat
en- if money can save it. The trusts
know their friends and they will con-
tribute any number of millions to keep
their friends in power Without the
corrupt use of money the Republicans
could not carry half dozen states
this fall and they know it, therefore
the corruption in the next presidential
election will far exceed anything ever
dreamed of in this country Is hon
esty more prevalent than venality
among American voters? We will be
able to answer this question next No
yember.- Nonconformlst
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
BRECKENRIDGE. THE DISGRA ;E-
Full.

Col. w. c. P. Breckenridge of I'M
savory memory has been invited to at
tend a banquet of the Anglo-Saxon
reunion at Toronto, Canada, and re-
spond to the toast, "The Union Jack
and the Stars and Stripes" If the
Canucks had hunted the country over
they couldn't have made a more appro-
pirate selection of an American to re-
spond to that toast. A man who has
betrayed his church, who has betrayed
his party, who has betrayed the con-
fidence of confiding girl, is just the
man to betray his country by attend
ing meeting to glorify the exploita-
ton of Independent people. Breckin-
ridge, the disgraceful, is fit repre-
sentative of American toad-eaters and
lick-spittles. And this banquet Is held
on the 22d of February, the day held
sacred to the memory Of the great
Washington. What proclamation to
celebrate the birthday of our national
hero, who fought seven long years for
the freedom of an oppressed people, by
eulogizing the men who are trying to
destroy the right of self-government in
South Africa and the isles Of the sea.
A fit toast for that meeting would be.
Joe Chamberlain's illustrious imita-
ton of Lord North" Another appro-
pirate toast, ITO Gen. Otis. a glorious
rival of the princely Alta. who, by his
bloody butcheries, added increased in
fanny to the cruel record Of Spanish
despotism"
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

dustrial interests, and bound sooner or
later to end in terrible panic. Ii was
on these grounds that enough voters
were worked upon to elect President
McKinley and Republican majority
in both branches of congress. But
think of what these same Republican
leaders have now done in the way of
financial business. They have taken
steps to perpetuate the national debt,
transferred to the national banks the
profit of making paper money, and,
while removing previous restrictions
which checked to a degree national
bank issues of paper money, have ex-
tended the privilege of establishing
such institutions enormously by re-
ducing one-half the minimum required
capitalization of such banks.
Already many would-be sharers in
the spoils have put in their applica-
tons for the right to establish new
banks, and nearly $2,O00,O0O in new
paper money has been printed Tor the
use of the bankers who are expanding
their issue of notes under the more
favorable terms. This is expansion of
The most portentous degree, just what
the Republican leaders proclaimed in
1896 would cause general disaster and
common robbery. What faith can
thoughtful people continue to enter
tain for a party leadership thus ex-
posed in all its insincerity and dis
honor?-Springfeld (Mass.) News.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
Cirarmakers, Union Prosperous.

During January Of this year the CT
garmakers' International union issued
a total of 2,314,500 blue labels, con-
siderable increase over any previous
month. For January, 1899, 1,177,000
labels were issued. The demand for
union labels is constantly increasing,
so much so that many attempts are
made by unprincipled dealers to coun-
terfeit them. Four culprits at Read
ing, Pa, who had been printing and
selling counterfeit labels, were recently
convicted without the jurymen leav
ing their seats. OF seventeen contests
last year against reduction of wages
eleven were successful, two were closed
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
SPIRIT OF LIBERTY YET LIVES

THE civilized world is watching the
progress of the conflict in South Africa
with increasing interest, and the brave
words of Cronje will intensity sympa-
thy with the defenders of the repub-
!ic."
The above is taken from a Republic
an paper, and is true, with few slight
exceptions. President Mckinley is a
great big exception, and his cabinet is
another. The Republican majority in
congress has so far killed every reso-
luton of sympathy. The stock job
bers and boards of trade are sympa-
thizing with the British instead of the
Beers. Every prominent banker and
nearly every millionaire is on the side
of the oppressor. They care more Tor
advancing stocks than they do for dy
ing patriots. But the great heart of
the common people beats as true to
liberty today as it did with Washing
ton at Valley Forge, with Jackson at
New Orleans or with Grant in the
Wilderness. The American people are
watching with anxious solicitude
Cronje's gallant fight in South Africa,
where 5000 brave farmers are hemmed
in by 10000 British soldiers, and the
earnest prayers Of millions Of Ameri-
cans are ascending 10 the God of bat
ties for the success and safety of that
little band of patriots. News that
Cronje had escaped, or that Bobs was
overthrown, would bring joy and
thanksgiving to nearly every humble
home in a.-Nonconformist.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
THE SMALLEST SHEEP.
1t Lives in Brittany AMI Is No Bigger
Than Lap Dog.


The very smallest of all kinds Of
sheep is the tiny Breton sheep. 1t Is
too small to be very profitable to raise.
for, of course, it cannot have much
cry man could eat almost a whole one
at meal. 1t is so small when full
grown that it can hide behind a good
sized bucket. 1t takes its name from
the part of France where it is most
raised. But, if not a profitable sheep,
it is a dear little creature for pet, for
it is very gentle and loving, and, be-
cause it is so small, is not such a
nuisance about the house as was the
celebrated lamb which belonged to a
little girl named Mary. Any little girl
could find room in her lap for Breton
sheep. One of this little creatures Pc
culiarities is its extreme sympathy
with the feelings of its human friends,
when 1t has been brought up as pet
in the house, and has learned to dis
tinguish between happiness and I'M
happiness. If any person whom 1t
likes is very much pleased about any
thing, and shows it by laughing, the
little sheep will frisk about with every
sign of joy; but, If, on the contrary,
the person sheds tears the sympathetic
friend will evince its sorrow in an
equally unmistakable way.-Stray
StOrioc
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20
THE NATIONAL DEBT.

Never was the insincerity of poll
ticians more clearly exhibited than in
the course of the Republican leaders
in connection with the currency ques-
ton. Surely no one of our readers can
have forgotten that the chief burden of
the anti-Bryan campaign oratory four
years ago was based on the argument
that the free silver coinage, which he
recommended, would lead to expan-
zion of the currency, and hence rob
moneyed men. They told the people
that imitation of the currency was al
ways disastrous to business and In
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

By admitting the possibility of es-
tablishing international bimetallism at
a ratio which shall insure permanency
of relative value between gold and sill
yer the United States senate has made
a laughing stock of itself.-Indianapo-
lis Journal.
What did your party make of itself
when in 1896 at st. Louis 1t de-
clared for international bimetallism
and solemnly promised to use every
possible means to enforce that declara
ton? Were you a laughing stock or
something infinitely worse?
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-04-20

by members obtaining employment
elsewhere, one compromised, two pend
ing and one lost In the three lock-
outs two were successful and one was
disapproved. In the other classified
tons the same ratio of success was
obtained. Out of membership of
more than 10000 only 1856 were in
volved in disputes of any kind, and
these were successful to an extraordi-
nary degree.