Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-11
Or not, and I amt heard nothing about
Homans being bounced"

man. Barton paid him OF at the whis-
tie not long since"
McMannis smiled.
That's what I've been telling you,"
he said; you don't know what's going
On. 1t may be all right and 1t may be
all wrong, but what say is, If you
don't like what's happened after you
do find out, you can't help yourselves
or each other, unless you're organized
to do it. What's that you say?"
He stopped toward a man on the
front bench who whispered something
and pointed toward the rear door.
Then he peered for moment over the
heads of the audience, as though try
Ing to single out some individual.
"a gentleman up here says Mr.. Ben
Homans has just come in" he an
uounced, as he gazed down the room.
If so, I'd like to ask him If he's been
turned down, and If so, why"
There was a movement in the group
Of men gathered about the door. and
Ben Homans took a cigar out OF his
mouth and gave a surly glance at the
speaker. Every head in the room
turned to look at him.
Eyes, I was" he answered shortly,
"and walked on like dirt, too"
McMannis waited to observe the ef-
feet of this announcement before he
spoke again.
81 was telling the meeting just be-
fore you stepped in, Mr.. Homans," he
began, that I'd heard you'd lost your
Job, but as some here didn't believe
me"-he looked at Kerrigan-"I'm
glad you're on hand to tell us the story
yourself. Won't you step up and let's
know what's happened. I guess we're
all interested, amt we?"
The audience applauded as Ben
strobe through the crowded room, and
as he reached McMannis, the latter in
troduced himself in q loud tone Of
voice calculated to convince the spec
tators that the meeting was entirely
accidental.
Then he invited Homans to tell his
own story, and sitting down, lit ci-
gar.
"The facts are just this" began Ho-
mans. 81 called on Kennard about
wbistle-time and put 1t to him that he
let me have some Of the horses shoed
over to Cutters, instead Of all Of 'em
at Benefits. Benefits not union
man, but didn't see no reason to boy
lcott Cutler cause he was. I discharge
you!' he says. What for?' I asks. For
tryin' to tell me who to employ, he
says. I'll have no union interference
here I've been workin' for you some
years. says. We'll, you'll not work
ten minutes more!' he says, and rings
for the super to pay me of. And
heard him tell Barton to take on q
swab whose name he had ready on q
bit Of paper in book"
"An' OF lay a months wages ye give
him lot av yur lip, Ben Homans, be-
fore ye got chucked." sang out Pat
Mullin. "Shure, livery man here
knows yur jaw"
What's the hell's difference does
that make, Pat?" interrupted another
man. I'VE know Benefits no union
man and Cutler is, and he don't get
none of the work. II union mems
not wanted here, we ought to know
it."
who's the feller. he's takin' on in
your place, Benz" asked "Pupsey"
Knox, one of the younger men.
You'll find out when the boss gets
| tn oll Won unnonc ancuprad
sneeringly. Better ask him whose
names in the book to take your job,
2npscy. lies got 'em all ready, you
oct, ard they won't come from round
here, either, I'm thinkin'."
II move, Mr.. Chairman" began one
of the front benchers. rising to his feet.
Il amt no chairman" interrupted
Homnns. in surly tone, as he
siouched back to his place at the door.
The crowd laughed at the speaker,
who remained standing.
Il move the Iueeting." he began
again. ''tict We sign petition asking
~. Kcnnard 10 employ Cutler as we'll
IS Bennett. Lnow them both. and"
II amend the notion" began another
man, standing up, "and move we pass
resolutions declaring we condemn the
discharging of Mr.. Ben Homans and
But Steve Kerrigan was on his feet,
interrupting.
II move We don't do nothing OF the
sort. The boss has got the right to say
who he'll have and who he don't want.
He pays the wages, and IL he lays on
Homans | don't think it's any OF your
business, or mine either, so long as he
treats US right. But II anybody thinks
ii is. let him go and find out"
You're satisfied, suppose, to get
chased tomorrow for attendin' this
meeting" sneered Homans.
No, | amt. and | amt heard why
you got chased from anybody except
yourself" retorted Kerrigan.
You'll find out by askin' the
boss-I guess not" answered Homans.
The words passed, boys" he con-
tinued, addressing the whole room,
that no union men can stay here un-
less they keep their heads shut and
their eyes too. You can take 1t or
leave it. for what | care. Fm cat
But that's fact, and don't you for
get it,"
Il move the meeting" began the
first speaker, "for a petition"
"Oh. shut up, Bradley" interrupted
the other resolution-mover; my mo-
TONS"
"Sit down."
Second the notion"
1--WE got the floor"
'Ill floor you
"Sit down."
"Order, gentlemen. order!"
Mr.. McMannis was on his feet, pound
ing the back of the chair with his
pocket-knife.
I'm not the chairman Of this meet
ing" he began, as quiet was restored.
This weren't to be a meeting. but
merely gathering to consider the ad-
visibility of closer organization.
That's already proved, | think, but
since I'm on my feet | want to say a
word or two on what's happened here
| 80 hoc