The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-09-25

, rendered his resignation to take effect
October 1st. At present, he is engag-
ed in making a tour of the state, Wis
iting all of the unions and bidding
farewell to all of his friends. He
holds a meeting with each union, os-
tensibly for the purpose of going over
the affairs of the order, and talking
over matters relating to the organiza-
tion. 1t is true that he does not talk
to the miners regarding these matters
but it has been learned that he also
takes occasion to talk politics to them
at these meetings, and urge them to
support him for congress. Perhaps
talking politics is not the proper term,
for Mr.. Reese does not assume to be a
partisan. He does not say whether he
is running on the democratic ticket,
or whether he proposes to support
democratic principles. He simply
urges the members of the union to
vote for him for personal reasons.
These meetings are held behind
closed doors. All that can be learned
regarding ,hem is that Mr.. Reese is
utilizing them for the purpose of Sc
curing audiences to listen to him on
the congregational situation Just
what he is saying is not known, fur
ther than that he is urging the mem
bers of the unions, regardless of party,
to support him for congress. 1t is
customary for unions to hold secret
meetings, and there is no objection to
their doing so, any more than there is
to the board of directors of coal
mining company, to meet behind clos
ed doors. Many union men believe
that Mr.. Reese makes a mistake in
using these meetings, which he at
tends by virtue of his office, for the
purpose of delivering political har-
rangues.
1t is understood that Mr.. Reese re-
signed from the presidency of the
United Mine Workers, because he did
not care to be accused of using his
connection with union to further his
political aspirations. 1t would appear
that in making political speeches at
the time of his farewell visits to the
different unions, Mr.. Reese is doing
the very thing he agreed not to do.
Major Lacey is greatly encouraged
at the situation in the district. AS
yet, the campaign has hardly opened,
and there is hardly enough sentiment
expressed to indicate the course of
public thought. The great majority
of voters in the district seem to be
well satisfied with prevailing condi.
tions, however, Everyone is prosper.
GUS There seems to be a sentiment
in favor of letting well enough alone
Congressman Lacey is rapidly per
fecting arrangements for holding
meetings all over the district He has
not yet fully decided when he will
formally open the campaign, but il
will be in the near future. He will
speak in every county,, and several
times in most of them. Congressman
from other districts, Governor Cum
Minis, and other well known speakers
will assist him. This week, A. G.
Rankin, the "Moulder Orator" has
been making speeches over the dis
trict 1t is not known whether he will
deliver any speeches in addition to the
ones this week, or not. He never fails
to draw large audiences, and his
speeches not only entertain, but con
| vince.
The work of the organization among
the republicans of the Sixth distric
is proceedingly rapidly. Most of the
counties are already we'll organized
and others soon will be. Major Lace!
| is in touch will all the republican
leaders in the district and is consult
ing with them daily regarding politi
cal meetings and the details of th'
organization in their counties.
"The Drych," a Welsh paper whicl
has a large circulation among the mir
ers of the Sixth district, is supporting
Major Lacey and is calling attention
to his services to the miners. In
recent editorial, it says:
Let all the miners of the Sixth
district bear in mind that it was
]. F. Lacey who befriended the
miners of the district by securing
the release of Mr.. Hadow by hav-
ing him pardoned by President
Roosevelt for contempt Of court,
as this proves Mr.. Lacey to be the
miners friend indeed. So let us
all be true and worthy Welshmen
and worthy miners of the Sixth
district and vote for our worthy
congressman, ]. F. Lacey"