Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-07
PART Of labor VOTE[VAS A STAR WITNESS
CUT FIGURE in CALIFORNIA.
Two labor Union ConErcssmen Take
Places of Republicans.
CHANGES RHODE ISLAND.

IT CHANGES RHODE. ISLAND.
United Mine workers Elected Geo.
Howell, Democrat, in Place Of
Representatives Council, Mil
1ionaire Coal Opcrntor-Trust
Prices Did the Work In New York.
The Labor Vote in FIXTURE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., November g.
(special.)-The important part played by
the laboring vote i'll many sections OF the
country in the election just over has
not failed to impress itself upon the
minds of students of politics here. me
labor vote in many places played havoc
with the Republicans, and indicated
strongly that organized labor is begin
ming to use its vote as a weight OF I'M
mense power. Taking Tuesdays actions
as a sample, the labor organizations IN
the future may nominate their own can
didates and act entirely independent OF
the old parties, or they may throw ,theil,
votes to men of either party who beileVe
in their policies and demands. Should
the labor vote become a compact affair
IT would have to be reckoned with in a
,o eNt /
has received il, the past, when the sup
posit.on CT both parties was that ths
Iaboring man could be brought around
to one side or the other at the last
moment without promises, except those
that were never intended to be kept
Cut Important Figure.
In at least three sections of the coun-
try did the labor vote-caSt almost as
a body-cut a most important figure. IN
many other places it welded an Indirect
influence that amounted to great deai.
In California the union labor vote over
turned two Republican congressman ana
sent union labor men in their places.
Representatives Kahn and Loud are both
to be succeeded by union labor men who
received Democratic nominal tions also.
E. J. Livernash, a union labor candidate,
succeeds Representative Kahn. while w.
]. Wynn comes to Congress in place OF
Representative Loud. Mr.. Livernash was
formerly newspaper reporter, and at
the last session or Congress was here
looking after Chinese exclusion legisla-
ton for the Pacific coast. Ihe union
labor vote came very near electlng q
Democratic Governor in California also.
the Republican nominee receiving Il bare
majority Of few thousand over the De-
mocratic nominee. The same union labor
,intereStS some time GO elected ono OF
their number--a n.usician--NIayor of San
Francisco. and it is stated that he has
made a good Mayor.
Strike Caused Republican Defeat.
A strcet-car strike in Providence, r. |.
last summer. and the results growing out
of it, caused the election of a Demo-
cratic member of Congress and a Demo-
cratic Governor and Lieutenant-G Governor
in Rhode Island on Tuesday The Re
publicans were simply appalled, that there
should be 4 change in their Republican
Island The Democrat, Congressional
Committee had made no pretence to
claiming a district in the State, and not
even the most rosy Democratic prophets
attempted to claim the election of a De-
mocratic Governor in a rock-bedded Re
publican State like Rhode Island. The
change was brought about by the labor
vote.
Defeated Rich Coal Operators.
In the Eleventh Pennsylvania District
the United Workers took a hand
that has surprised the leaders of both
parties. The miners elected George
Howell. a Democrat 10 Congress from
that district in place of Representa- tive
Connell the millionaire coal operator
who has represented the district for
years Mr.. Connell is said to have spent
thousands of dollars to secure re-elec-
ton and had no thought that he would
be defea ted. The miners not only elected
Mr.. Howell. but elected three members
of the lower house of the State Legisla-
ture defeating the Republican nominees
by unexpected majorities 1t is declared
that the United Mne-Workers will par
ticipate actively in ali elections in the
future II they do so. under the leader
ship of John Mitchell or some other
strong man, there may be n new factor
of giant strength in the next campaign.
The potent power to be influenced by this
organization would probably tend to
draw other labor organiZa tionS into Il
similar position and lend an interest and
an Importance to the next presidential
campaign that nobody can now foreSse.
The immense Democratic majority in
New York city few days ago is at
satisfaction of the working man with the
existing high prices of food products and
TO fear that the trust combinations are
going to attempt to put prices still
higher. In New York city the laboring
man did not act as an organization, but
there appears to have been a genera!
movement by them in opposition to Re
publican nomnees-national, State, and
local.
1t has for some time been predicted
that the success Of the Mine Workers
in the Pennsylvania coal strike, and the
realization of the great strength possess
ed by this and other labor organizations
would bring about changes more far
reaching than contemplated. These or
ganizations would have no trouble, it is
pointed out. in going into politics on a
big scale, and making their votes become
factors Of such momentous consequence
as to receive the direct attention of both
parties and demand respect not hereto
fore accorded.
COLER THANKS TAMMANY.
Congrntu1ates the Organizations on