The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-02-16
When Littlefield's Pet Meas
ure for the Abolition Of Pill
OTIS on the New England
Coast Came up for Vote in
Congress It Was Terribly
Showed Under.

ing in Washington, D. c., he discovered
reporters present and refused to con-
tinue until the newspaper representa-
tives were ordered from the hail.. It
SO happened that several stenogra-
piers were present who took down Mr..
Lttlefield's speech, in which in the
vilest terms he denounced, not only the
President of the American Federation
Of Labor, but his (Mr. Littlefield.s)
colleagues on various committees OF
which he Is member. as we'll as the
entire membership OF the House of
Representatives, stigmatizing them as
towards" stenographic. copies Of
this speech are now to be had for the
asking, and Mr. IAttlefield has quite
a time Of 1t to explain" to his collea-
gues. But members Of congress need
not depend upon the accuracy Of the
report of that speech, nor upon Mr.,
Lattlefleld's den1als.
:: Similar Abuse Before.
He gave vent to similar abuse upon
the public platform during the cam
paign In Maine. In those speeches he
denounced every member of congress
who voted favorably upon any of the
bills in which Labor was interested.
stigmatizing them as towards and
knaves. We feel sure it will not be
necessary for US to pay serious atten-
tfon to Mr.. Littlefield's denunciation
of us as "a highwayman or as a Jesse
James," These genteel terms are only
coiued by one Of such a. mind as the
gentleman from the Second District Of
sues rif eialgt were part ,lof our ctSr.
acteristics, we could enjoy 4 term Of
greater repose and safety by remain.
ing at the American Federation of La
boris Headquarters during the CAM
paign in Maine instead Of going into
his district in an effort to secure the
gentleman's political scalp. Mr.. Little
feld may think Of ps ais running, but
weSbeg' to offer him our distinguished
consideration. and the assurance that.
when we are running, we are not run.
ming away from. but after an enemy
to the interests of labor, anti Of the
common people.
Minds Of Both Surohsrged With Spite.
We have referred to the expressions
OF Congressman Wharton and Little-
field here, not from any particular de-
sire to make a personal defense, for We
verify believe that the people of our
country will. take such attacks at their
true value, as the outpouring from
minds surcharged with bitterness Of
defeat in the one case and chagrin.
humiliation in the other.
In any event Messrs. Wharton and
Littlefield should bear in mind that
Misrepresentation. vituperation, an,
abuse does not constitute either de-
Tense or justification Of their own in
difference and antagonism toward the
real interest of labor and the people
generally.
As a whole. the, campaign in VIII
Labor engaged last summer and fall
has already had q most salutary effect
upon the judgment and the course Of
the members Of congress. Il the toll
ers will be but true to themselves: be
faithful to each other, strong In their
devotion for the right and for humane
ity, and upright In the conduct of our
movement, we snail witness. day by
day, a better understanding Of our mo-
tives and q greater willingness to con-
cede to the workers fairer and ,bettar
conditions.