Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-09

son it would be well for them not to
forget-that in the final test, the SUI
preme power inheres not in classes
but in the masses.
is NOT A CANDIDATE.
John P. Reese Will Not Try for U. M.
w. A. Vice.Presidency.
John p Reese of Abba, former
president of the United Mine Workers
of District 10, and late candidate on
the democratic ticket for congressman
from the sixth district of Iowa, has
decided that for the present he will
not as an official re-enter the labor
movement, to which he has devoted
several years of his life, and in which
he was one of the acknowledged lead
ers. Just what line of work Mr. Reese
will take up is at the present un-
known, even to him, and it will be
next week before he makes any de-
cision as to his future. Yesterday,
however. he wired to Secretary Will
son, of the national organization, Unit
ed Mine Workers of America, inform
ing him that he would not be a candi.
date for the high Office of national
vice-president of the miners organiza-
ton, place which was by many con-
ceded to Mr.. Reese if he were but to
express his willingness to take it.
He has duly considered the matter
and although it is a disappointment
to some of his friends, they sincerely
hope for his success in other lines.
Lose Good Man.
Miners say that John P. Reese's de-
cision means that the miners of Iowa
and Of the United States lose one of
their strongest champions and most
brainy thinkers Mr.. Reese has the
reputation of being power when ar
rayed against the operators, determin-
ed upon securing for bis, brothers CT
the labor world Enlightenment which
he considers FIR and due them. In
joint conventions and scale commit
tee meetings Mr. Reese, until very re-
Gently, has been the spokesman for
the miners side of the house. and his
clear, concise reasoning, and his abil-
ity to think fast and reason conclus-
lively have saved for the miners many
a long struggle and have secured for
them many an advantage. Mr.. Reese
has the admirable faculty of holding
his temper on almost every occasion,
and this one characteristic is almost
indispensable to be good leader of
men.
Likes Home Life.
Although Mr.. Reese does not give
any reason for his withdrawing from
the union movement, it is thought by
those who know him and his likes and
dislikes that he has taken the action
partly in order to experience for a
while the joys of living at home with
out being liable to be called to some
remote part of the state at almost any
time. Since he has been in the coal
miners union he has travelled a great
deal of the time, either in the state
or around to other states. In speaking
of this fact few days ago, he said
he wished now to have little time
to become acquainted with his fam
ily." Since his return from the ma
tional convention of the American
Federation of Labor at New Orleans
short time ago, he has been and is
still at his home in Abba. simply rest
ing from the labors of his political
campaign and considering his plans
for the future.
A Good Position.
In deciding not to be a candidate
for the national vice-presidency of the
United Mine Workers of America, Mr..
Reese's friends say he Intentionally
overlooked an opportunity to rise to
an enviable position in the labor
world. 1t is said among those who are
we'll acquainted with the labor move
ment, that he could have had the office
almost for the asking, for the fame of
John r. Reese as a champion of the
miners has spread all over the coun-
try 1t is safe to say that no leader
of miners, no state president, has
shown more skill and tact nor
achieved more success in his labors
for the good of the men under him
than has Mr.. Reese. Added to this is
the fact that he and John Mitchell
the famous president of the national
organization of the miners, are close
friends personally, while, as it is re-
ported, the present vice-president Mr..
Lewis, is not on good terms with his
superior. All things considered, Mr..
Reese, had he taken the vice-presiden.
cy, had a bright future.
However, after putting in all his
time for several years in the labor
movement, and after spending days
weeks, even months. away from his
home and family, it is not to be won
dered at that Mr.. Reese has first con
sidered very fully, and then decided
to disregard the opportunity to be
come one of the leaders of the nation
al organization of miners. His many
friends will await with interest the an
nouncement Of his future work, ant
many will be the expressions of good
wishes and future prosperity in what
ever line he may elect to follow.
The railway telegraphers in five
months have gained 1896 members.
Seventy new unions of street rail
way employees were organized during
the past year.
The poWer of organized workers is