The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-28
LABOR UNIONS
AND CANDIDATES
Attitude of Workingmen
a Live Question Now.
MR.. SWANSON DENIES
Says He Did Not Oppose the Fellow
Servants Act.
Mr.. MONTAGUE is ENDORSED
Central Trades and. Labor COanci
Adopts Resolutions Espousing His
Cause ard Condemning the
Washington Unions Let.
ter-Denial from
Mr.. Eclols
Mr.. MONTAGUE is ENDORSED

The part which union labor is playing in
the subernatorial contest in, Virginia is the
most interesting topic in political circles,
and is on the lips, Of every politician.
The report oG the Legislative Board OF
the Order of Railway Employees, which
was printed in yesterdays Times, alleging
that Messrs. Swanson and Echols opposed
the passage of the employers liability bill
before the Legislature last winter, brought
forth prompt details from both OF these
gentlemen,
TO a Washington correspondent Mr.
Swanson said:
This statement is absolutely false. At
no time during my life have | ever OPP
Neither did 1 at any time attempt to in
tluence directly or remotely any
member OF the Legislature TO
prevent the passage of such
legislation L will endeavor at once to
trace this false statement to it's fountain
head 1 believe it was inspired by politi-
cal enemies
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Echols sent this re-
ply to a telegram from The Times, asking
what he had to say about being classet.
with those yho opposed the employers liza
bility BILL
Staunton, Va, Feb. ., 1851
Editor o,G The Times:
"Your telegram received. The report in
to o-day's Times that fought the employers
liability bill before the Legislature last
winter is incorrect, and [ was much sur
prised when l saw the statement
EDWARD ECHOLS..
The Following was received from Colonel
Marshall who though his name did not
appear in the report, was asked If ne had
anything to say concerning 1t:
Portsmouth, Va, Feb. y, 1907.
Editor oil The Times:
Have seen neither paper. IF allusion is
made TO alleged action OF Labor Counci.
endorsing Mr. Montague, l have nothing
to saw except that his friends seem to be
active.
THE LABOR COUNCILS ACTION.
The action of the Central Trades and
Labor Council Tuesday night. with re-
ference to the candidacy OF Messrs.
Swanson and Montague attracted almost
as n,ucn attention as the Legislative
Boards rcport and the denial OF MI
Swansol. This body composed OF repre-
septatiyes from all the labor unions IN
the CITY, condemned the letter sent out
bv the Machinists' Union of Washington,
and adopted resolutions commencing Mr.
Montague to the working people Oh VIZ
gira.
Tl,e matter was brought up by m5m-
her of the Machinists Union who had
seen letters from the Washington lodges,
declaring Mr. Swanson to the working
mems friend.
This is the letter from the Washington
Lodge
Int, r.laticnal Association of M&chlnlsts,
Columbia Lodge, No. 1l4,
Washington. D. c., February g. 1901.
To the Brother Members of Columbia
Lodge, No. la /. A. of ~:
The Joint Legislative Committee takes
pleasure in presenting to this lodge the
name of one of the grea test labor adyo-
Gates in the United States House of Rep-
resentatives. one who used every eHoft
to secure the passage OF our IIteeh-aaS
leave bill and one who has done every
thing in his power TO advance all labor
measures coming before that honorable
body. Ne deem it the duty of the toiling
masses to support & man who las proven
himself a friend to all organized lapor
regardless of politics; therefore. be 1t
Resolved, That the thanks of this lodge
be, and they are, hereby rendered to
Hon. Claude A. Swanson, the member
Of Congress from the I':ttli E,ssiii!'
District, for his active and valuable
assistance in securing the passage Of
the act of Congress granting yearly
leaves of absence with pay to men en-
pleyed in the navy yards, gun factories.
naval stations and arSnals of the United
States.
Understanding that Hon. Claude ~.
Swanson is a candidate for the high
and honorable office of Governor of the
State of Virginia, this lodge in recosni-
ton of the interest he has taken in and
the able support he has given to meas
ureS for the promotion of the welfare
and the advancement of the interests OF
the laboring men of the country most
cordially endorse his said candidacy and
appeals to the members of sister lodges
in Virginia and to the members of all
labor organizations and to all working
men in the said State to give him their
support.
Resolved. That a copy of these resolu-
! tions be forwarded to Hon. Claude A.
Swanson; that the same oe published in
cur labor organs and in the Virginia
papers, and also a copy be sent to every
lodge in Virginia under the seal Of this
lodge.
Endoresd by Columbia Lodge. No. ia.
IT. A. of NJ, at its meeting February 6.
1901. A. n. CHASE,
Recording Secretary.
| ENDORSE MR.. MONTAGUE.
! The discussion of the gubernatoriaI
matter was brief but interesting. The
following resolutions were adopted with
only one dissenting vote:
Whereas. the three gentlemen who are
offering themselves for the Governorship
of Virginia had ample opportunity to
show their fairness toward the labor ele-
ment of our State when the liability biz.
was before the Legislature. and whereas
| two of the said gentlemen-Messrs. Swan
son and Echols-did all in their power to
| defeat said measure. and did defeat it
thus showing lack OF interest in the
life and safety of those who are forced
to undergo hardships and perils: there
fore,
Resolved That the Trades and Labor
Council of the city of Richmond heartily
endorse Attorney-G General Montague for
Governor of Virginia and recommend