New-York tribune., 1906-10-18
HUNDREDS QUIT HEARST
amsterdam Union Men 4Angry at
Use of Funds.

N Y, Tu6ie
at what they term attempt to pay a portion of
the Hearst campaign expenses out of the union
Auiios saved TO aid them in times OF trouble It is
no exaggeration to say that hundreds of union
men IN Amsterdam who last week were enthusias-
ueaIly promoting the cause of the Independence
League candidate to-day announcing their de-
sertion from the Hearst ranks
This sudden disaffection has been caused by the
acuon OF Oliver A Brewer. who combines the
offices Of secretary and treasurer of the Interna-
tional Union of Broom and Whisk Makers with
that Of state committeeman and local boss of the
Hearst League.
At secret meeting Of the Central Council of the
affiliated unions Thursday night Mr. Brewer
forced through resolution appropriating 500
the general fund assist in defraying the election
expenses of Elmer Howard, who is running for
Member OF Assembly the league ticket This,
1t is declared, is against the bylaws of the Central
Union. which forbids any participation in politics
or expenditure OF SIS without the unanimous
consent OF all the heads of the affiliated unions.
Harrison De Croft. state president of the Paint
ers Union, was outspoken in his denunciatiou of
the action. He said:
. l was favorably disposed toward Mr.. Hearst be-
fore this came up, but want to say that this at
served TO supply their families with bread in times
OF strike to pay camPaign expenses which should
him hundreds Of votes, in Amsterdam.
to nav b 10 % 1he Ioea Hearsf
Club out of the unions funds, but this latest at
meeting which
Brewer to take his resolution back
Even before the action of the secret meeting
leaked out, the high handed ways used by Mr..
Brewer, who says he is Hearsts direct repre-
sentative. and who has the local campaign
while the Democratic leaders looked on, had
brought the union men OF Amsterdam into almost
open revolt,
Apparently forgetting that coercing a man out OF
the right Of free speech would prevent his
voting he pleased at the polls. Mr.. Brewer and
hay In
q desperate effort 10 keep the union IN line
for Hearst.
a OF business districts showed all
except five OF the Democratic merchants determined
to vote for hIr. Hughes, and in every the ad-
mission followed by a request that their names
should not be published, they had been in
formed that If they for Hughes they
would lose the union trade"
In the mills II was the same story Workmen
would seek some place secure from eaves1ropping,
and after being assured that their condolences
would be kept sacred would say I'm going TO
vote for Hughes but don't print It, because don't
want to get into trouble with my union"
Among the old line Democrats who were not de-
pendent on union patronage. there was no hesita-
ton in announcing their determination TO vote for
Mr. Hughes.
Judge Henry V. Borst. one OF Arnsterdarn'a lead
ing Democrats. who has held the offices Of county
Judge Surrogate. District Attorney and state com
mitteeraan. said
Supported the Democratic Ticket but do not cog
slider Hearst true Democratic nominee. Now
IS the time for all good Democrats to rise and
crush this menace TO It's future.
John J. Turner, while he has opposed Judge Borst
in many hard fought primary was united with
him IL regard 70 MI Hughes. He said:
I do not sec how good Democrat can vote for
Hearst. Mr.. Hughes will get my ballot and such
influence may command among my friends
Hearst boasts that hs IS not Democrat, and he is
not Democratic candidate in the proper sense OF
the word.
James w Furgerson, leading Democratic law
yer. has similar sentiments. He said:
could not think Of voting for Hearst He is not
our candidate. At best he is but the Independence
League candidate Endorsed by methods about
which the least said the better. by alleged Dem
ocratc convention. There is comparison, in my
mind between the two candidates and am per
sonaIly glad that Hearst is a league nominee,
had he been the regular Democratic candidate
fear my dislike Of being irregular would have led
vote for him
G. T Davis, another stanch Democrat. said
shall not vote for Hughes Ny reasons too
obvious to be discussed.
The Republican canvass OF the country districts
Of Montgomery County. shown by J. K. Stewart,
the state committeeman. reveals entire absence
! of Hearst sentiment among the farmers.