Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-11-22

The recent visit of Mayor Schmltz
OF San Francisco to Chicago has once
again revived the story that organized
labor is contemplating putting a labor
candidate in the field for Mayor next
spring.
Nor Is the matter confined merely
to speculation or discussion. The Eagle
has information to the effect that well.
known and prominent labor leaders are
at present engaged in getting an active
movement in that direction under way
in the firm conviction that 1t would be
successful, and that II the right kind
Of a man We're named the union labor
forces of Chicago could elect a Mayor
of their own next year.
The visit of Mayor Schmitz. the fam.
Gus labor union Mayor of the Golden
Gate City. to Chicago has given tre-
mendous impetus to the movement. aud
1t now seems not only possible but
highly probable that the next mayoral-
ty campaign will see a labor candidate
In the field with fair fighting chance
Of success.
Mayor Schmitz was received here
with an enthusiasm which meant more
than mere liking for the man.
North Side Turner Hall was filed
with enthusiastic uniOnists Monday
night, who rallied to welcome him. The
reception was given under the auspices
of the local union Of musicians, as a
mark Of respect to a member Of their
organization who had been elected
chief executive OF the California me-
trOpOlls. Mayor Schmitz declared that
the time had come for unionists to take
an active part In politics and said the
people Of San Francisco had been per-
suaded that representatives Of labor
could conduct the business Of city
as honestly and cOnservatively as an
employer or capitalist.
In urging the organized workingmen
Of Chicago to get into politics he said:
What are you to do about 1t here?
Are you to SIT idly by, or are you to
say to the two political parties that
you will have the representation you
are entitled to because of your mum.
bers. do not care to which political
party a man belongs. shall always
raise my voice on behalf of the man
who stands for the uplifting OF the
Masses"
Previous to the reception Mayor
City Council and addressed the body.
A procession made up Of members Of
unions was then formed and escorted
him to the hall, where he received an
ovation from the large audience that
had gathered to greet him.
This talk Of Mayor Schmitz Is very
significant and has already, II is said.
had the effect Of tanning the spark Of
laborite ambition into a good warm
glow.
~6
That the San Francisco Mayor has
given ample proof that union labor
chief executive can be not alone honest
but capable Is now admitted on all
sides. Even those who were most bit
terly opposed to his election are now
his warm friends and supporters, and
these facts are looked upon by the lead
ers Of organized labor IN Chicago as
additional reasons why similar ex-
pertinent should be made In Chi
cago. They argue, and with strong
show OF reason, that any change from
present conditions here could not be
but for the better, and upon this point
Mayor Schmitz, in an interview On
Tuesday, took occasion to give Chi
cago's present municipal government a
good hard dig. Mr. Schmitz said,
among other things:
Il have been much impressed with
the condition of the streets here. With
the exception Of the bOulevards their
condition is frightful. They are dirty
-frightfully dirty, Ill kept and greatly
in need Of repair. That such state Of
things should be permitted In city of
so much enterprise has completely as
founded me.
II dare say the dingy and dirty con.
dition of the buildings is due to the
use Of soft coal. The proper restric
tions In regard to the use Of this com.
modify should be rigidly enforced. ii
think a city should be kept as beauti- |
ful as is possible. Beauty Of surround |
ings, in my opinion, is an essential TO |
happiness. II il this fact, il seems
10 me, that Chicago in its rushing |
growth has lost sight Of completely. |
You have built merely for the uses Of
commerce and have forgotten to please
the eye and rest the mind. OF course
this has been done upon the magniti-
cent bouleyards and In the splendid I,
parks, but TO my mind 1t should also