Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-03-08
A GRAVE MISTAKE.


The action of the Labor Union OF
Richmond when it undertook TO pun
down the temple and destroy the po-
litical ambition of Messrs. swanson
and Ecbols and at the same time put
props under the political structure Cd
which Mr.. Montague is standing, was
the most sickly, gapy weakllng YET
hatched from the present political IN
cubstor. Martin, Swanson and Ech-
OILS. and friends Donald and Sheppard
are massed together as the officers ana
men who fought and defeated the
EMPLOYERS Liability Bill. While
Messrs. Montague, Jones and others
were the strong, staunch supporters
of it. therefore these latter must De
supported, while the others must De
booted off the political stage. LOOK at
the inconsistency of such a statement
if we 60 no further. and say look at
the untruthfulness of it. Martin ana
Swanson were in Congress attending
to their duties there, and taking no
part in the fight, the statements OF the
socalled labor unions to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Donald was Door
keeper of the Senate, and MIR. Shep'
pard the depot agent at FishersVllle'
On the other hand Mr.. Jones was IL
Congress and whether be did so or not
should have been attending to his bus
mess there, and Mr.. Montague being
the Attorney General ought not, and
we believe did not, influence OF at
tempt to infuence legislation OF any
kind or character. If he did it was
unusual and he deserves a repremano
from the people of the State. MIR
Echols. at whom this shaft was largely
aimed, was the Lieutenant Governor
and president of the Senate, and those
who know him know that he never
shirks q duty, nor fails in nor avoids
one imposed on him. but those who &C
cuse him of going out Of his way te
influence q vote for this measure, Of
one against that measure, do not know
the man, and when this Union maker
such a statement they simply do no
know of what they are talking, ant
display a righteousness which Is Ia
from being commendable.
But aside from these facts does it no
occur to the Union that it is bad poll
tics to attempt to place men in ottlc'
to carry some bit of partisan legisla
ton through? Does it not occur t.
them th.t the moment this is begun
the candidate loses caste and benetcl
airy loses sympathy? Whenever al
officer is known to be the tool of an.
man or set of men, just SO soon doe
he drop in public estimation, ant
lose prestige and influence. Mr.
Montague would lose his influence a
once should he become the candidat
of every click or body formed to infiu
ence special legislation, for in the en'
he could serge no one, and no sayini
is more true than that man canno
serve two masters. MIR. Montague
who seems to be the beneficiary o
this Labor, must know this fact a
well as any, and he knows he coui'
not serve them and the State, he coul'
not become their champion withou
accepting some similar mission iron
the farmers, the dry goods merchants
the distillers, the iron manufacturers
the temperance people, the hotel keep
ers, the lawyers. the doctors, and tn
thousand and one other callings ant
crafts, some of whose interests nigh
be antagonistic to the Labor Union
To deny one would be impolitic, to &C
cept from others might be inconsis
tent, to mingls with any, demagogical
and the man who panders to such o.
invites such Inducements will as sur,
as fate array against him other classes
and callings, more powerful possibly
and thus lose in the fight, or maxi
promises he cannot fulfill, or if fulfill
ed be injurious to the State and I'm
becoming in him as it's governor. W,
tr ust that this action Of the Labo
Union has marked the first and last eff
fort of this character to make COVER
nor and control legislation. It Is by NJ
means creditable to the organization
that it should have so far overstepet
the bounds Of decency and certainl,
the accusations made against some o
the persons whom it undertakes to de
nounce, have been shown to be untrue
if not really libelous. What would tn
the country say if churches or secre
orders such as the Masons, Odd Eel
lows, &C., should undertake to name
governor? Would they not suffer
rebuke which would be deep and last
ing? Why then should Labor Union
be accorded greater privileges? TIL
whole thing was weak and pitiabl
mistake. and this should be the en-,
of it.