The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-28
RusseII's Words Twisted.

with James Russell, warden of the
Marquette State Prison and editor OF
the Mining Journal, was published in
a Milwaukee paper. Mr.. Russell com
mented upon the direct primary in
connection with its application to the
upper peninsula II seems that Mr.,
Russell's utterances were not given the
meaning that he intended they should
have, by the reporter, and he wrote the
Ishpeming Record a letter OF correction
which is as follows
when he makes me say that our
people are opposed to the direct nom
ination system because IL would give
the miners control Of the sheriifs, who
would, under such conditions, be UNI
available for the purpose OF maintain
ing order in the event of labor troubles
up here, is a complete distortion Tor
what / said mentioned the absence
OF strikes and labor disturbances. in the
iron and copper mining districts az
evidence Of the good understanding ex-
listing between the men and their en-
plsyers generally. and explained that
this was due to the orderly class OF men
employed in our mines and the dispo..
sition 10 treat them we'll manifested by
our mine owners and managers.
~ remarked that there had not been
much eagerness TO adopt the direct
nomination system displayed by the
people of this peninsula, though in the
lower peninsula the voters appear 70
favor it quite strongly, explaining
that this was because in our peninsula,
especially in the mining districts. the
mine arrangements used their influence
in politics mainly to secure honest and
efficient men in the county offices in
order that counties might be well gov
erned and taxation held down 60 a
reasonable rate that under the old eau
Gus and convention system we had as y
rule exceptionally capable and trust
worthy men in the county offices aud
thai our people are somewhat lcath TO
change a system under which desirable
results are obtained for new one
which could not well be expected 10
work any better. and might work bad
ly. The condition Of things in our
mining districts WIS compared win
that existing 10 western mining states,
where the Western Federation Of Min.
ers has uacome political power
through ~ potential agency liz the
election Of state and county officials.
with deplo alb y evil consequences both
70 the mine owners and miners, and
deserved that it might not be well to
open the door for a disturbance Of con-
ditions here that would make this an
inviting field for the professional labor
agitators
This was the general trend Of the
discussion which Furnished my inter
viewer with material for his article. |
do not charge him with wilful brea h
OF faith. or with having maliciously
misquoted me. for | take 10 that when
he prepared the article he framed it up
chiefly with view 10 making t'plea1-
ing 10 his Wisconsin readers. and made
me speak 10 suit that purpose. All the
same he produced an interview that
placed me In false light on many
points, aud perhaps IL is we'll that !
should make this explanation through
"a home paper though IL was not my
intention to take any notice OF It tin I
received your kindly and courteous
note regarding the matter
Yours very truly,
James Russell