Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1905-05-05
pretensions and professions Of many n

mar Independent In politics whom I
met in the few weeks Of my connection
with this organization. The experience
which | thus gained was valuable and
taught me that every man should DO
his part toward freeing a community
from the evils which apathy and indiffer-
ence on the part of the better element
of our citizenship permit to prevail in
many American municipalities.
Famous Transfers Strike.
Such was the condition of my mind,
when, of a sudden, and within a month
or W Of my entry, ever to this limited
extent, in the politicallife,a widespread
strike of the exceedingly large anu MI
merous Transfers union occurred In
San Francisco. This strike vas brought
on in a large measure by the intieAlble
and arbitrary attitude Of a combination
OF employers, and during Its course was
marked by much violence and bloodshed.
Nearly all the labor unions in this city
became involved, and very many Of them
went out on sympathetic strike. The
business Of the city was practically tied
up. Nonunion men were employed here
and there, policemen were put upon
wagons and trucks and rode behind
them, taking the part of the employers
association, and much bitterness pre-
vailed. The belief was prevalent that
capital unfairly controlled the municipal
departments against the wage-worker.
A clamor arose for equal rights and
fair play. The mayor and some Of the
other municipal officials were made the
object of much criticism. The mu-
nicipal election being close at hand,
resentment and dissatisfaction dcye!-
oped into n demand for political repre-
scntation. The union labor men called
a convention. AS a citizen, | looked
with interest on the evolution of their
plans. AS a union man, J was for a
time in doubt whether such a direct
participation in politics would not event
ually disrupt the unions themselves. |
recognized the justice of many of their
complaints, but feared the result Of in
temperate zeal. Nothing was further
from my thoughts than the acceptance
Of a nomination from this convention,
| had merely dipped into the political sea
without intending either to wade IN II
or to swim in 1t, but my baptism caused
me to note with much added interest
the progress Of events
Is Nominated Mayor.
Much to my surprise, without seek.
Ing it, or even thinking Of it, ! was asked
whether ! would accept the nomination
of mayor at the hands of this cOnvcn'
ton. | did rot wish the nomination
and declined It,. | was urged IN a.
sides to accept. | was told that my
stand with the machinists had made M
~well-known as a friend Of organized la.
Dor, that the uprising Of the masse.
meant the end Of boss dictatiOn in thu
city's affairs; above all, that unless som
responsible and conservative man o
judgment were nominated, the who'll
movement would fail, and organized la
Dor would be at the mercy OF its en-
em!es.
There were aspirants who were real,
anxious for the nomination. a.
not wish to interfere with their ambi
tiOns, but the pressure became so great
the reasons for my accepting were al
vanced so strongly and persistently, IN.
friends on all sides and from all partic
were so insistent, that | finally rcsolve'
to allow my name to be used. Belicv
ing that, II elected, could gives con
scryative and satisfactory administra
ton, and hoping thereby to establish
bond OF confidence between employe
and employe; that | could probably anne
liorate the strained conditions be
tween capital and labor; that the wage
worker could demonstrate a capacity I
govern as well as to be governed; tina
he might prove himself entitled to a.
the equal rights which he claimed,
consented to go before this union labo
convention. and TO accept It's nomlnatlo
for the highest Office in the city, wher
! had first seen the light 81 years be
fore.
Elected.
was given the nomination, made
vigorous campaign, assisted by the Ia
Dor organizations and by many friend
and was elected. Had ! not made m
trial entry into political life. and learne
by actual observation the need for be-
|. ter conditions In municipal gOvernmer
and in party politics., doubt whether
would aver have been Influenced to a,
cept the nomination for any Office. Ha
, | not ultimately allowed my name to &
before the convention | would not no
/, be mayor. These are. therefore. tn
two 'momentous decisions which hay
, made me mayOr of the greatest city {