Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-17
A LABOR CANDIDATE.
Strong Indications That Third
Party Win Be in Field.
MAYOR PHILLIPS IS THE CAUSE.
Wage Farmers Do Not Look With Fa-
vor Upon the Idea That He Will Be
Candidate for a Third Term
Barnes May Run.

OF late there have been persistent
rumors that the labor organizations of
this city would place a ticket in the
field at the coming spring election,
providing that the nominees of the
two old parties are not satisfactory
to these interest The rumors have
been run down and from several
sources. authentic information has
been received. that such a move
would be taken, and all tho lahoring
people, and sympathizers with the re-
form movement, looking to the es-
Establishment of an eight hour day, and
the abolition of the contract system,
and the municipal ownership OF wat
erworks and electric lighting plant,
will place a ticket in the field. If
such course is found necessary can
didates for aldermen and full city
ticket will be placed in nomination.
1t is said that the announcement
that Mayor Phillips will be candi-
date for third term, is what precipi-
tated matters. In looking over, the
work of the present administration,
since it has been in power, the labor
ing people say they do not see much
that has been done in their favor. 1t
is said all of the labor organizations
of the city are lined up as unit,
against the denomination of Mayor
Phillips, and that if he persists in be-
ing candidate, it is a sure thing
that a labor ticket will be placed in
the field The labor people point to
the fact that he did not take any ac-
| tive part for the recent eight hour or
dinance which was introduced by Al
| derman Barnes, and claim that it was
| partly thru his passiveness that the
balance of the council finally defeat
ed the bill
Will Call Convention.
! The matter was carefully investi-
gated so labor leaders say, but the
work has been done very quietly,
and there are only a few on the in
| side. Several of the more conserva-
| tive members are of the opinion that
| the labor organizations should keep
1 out of politics, but when the rank and
| file look at their prospects should
this same democratic party get into
power again, it is said there is no
1 question but that they will call con-
vention and nominate candidates.
Who Will Lead?
The question as to who will lead
!. the ticket is the one that is giving
I the trouble 1t is said majority of
the labor element is in favor of CIV
| ing the nomination to Alderman Stev-
en- Barnes. 1t looks upon his work in
\ it's behalf as being all that could be
asked of anyone. and labor peopse say
he would make an ideal candidate.
I 1t is said he would poll every labor
! vote in the city, and would surely
cause the defeat of Mayor Phillips.
4 What action Alderman Barnes would
1 take, should the labor nomination be
rendered him, cannot be forecasted.
/ 1t was the general impression that
Mr.. Barnes friends in the democratic
! party would make an effort to get
4 him nominated for mayor on that
/ ticket, but since Mayor Phillips an
nouncement that he is candidate for
a third term, this movement has been
/ stifled Mr.. Barnes thinks he is en-
titled to the nomination, and if suf-
ficient pressure were brought to bear
on him, it is thought he would con-
sent to lead the labor ranks, in the
coming campaign.
Others Mentioned.
4 There have also been several other
| prominent labor leaders mentioned,
but it has been done with view to
4 feeling their intentions, and if it be-
comes necessary, it is thought they
have one or more men who would be
acceptable to all concerned and who
would poll nearly as large d vote as
Alderman Barnes. 1t is not the inten-
/ ton of the promoters of this ticket. to
have it thought of in any way as a
political ticket. 1t is said to be pure.
4 ly ticket for the benefit of the wage
Garner, and as such it will be known.