Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1908-09-02
VAN CLEAVE'S REPLY TO BRYAN.

The falsity Of Mr.. Bryan's insinua-
tion that even the labor unions who
represent only a small fragment of
American wOrkmen are Outlawed, is
shown by the fact that their members
continue at work in their regular EN-
Payments on every working day in the
year and in every town in the United
States.
Where does Mr.. Bryan get any au-
thOrity for his platform assertion that
labor organizations are regarded as
illegal combinations in restraint of
trader" Let him, if he can, cite any
act Of congress or any decision of
federal court which gives the shadow
of a foundation to his accusation.
No United States court has ever con-
demned labor organization for organ
izing No court has ever interfered
with any labor organization for endeav
Oring, by any lawful means, to ad-
vance the wages or to improve the
condition Of its members. The courts
have more than once found it necessary
to curb the labor unions which assail
ed the rights of other individuals. The
courts have condemned picketing and
boycotting and the other methods by
which unions sometimes attack the
constitutional rights Of other workers
or of employers.
Let me say right here that the atti
tude of the United States courts to-
ward labor unions is the same as that
which has been taken by the National
Association of Manufacturers from the
"a
rights Of the unions to organize and to
get any terms from the employers
which, in amicable agreement could
be gained But we have always Oppos-
ed, and always will oppose the VIC
lence, intimidation and murder which
has sometimes been resorted to by some
of the unions in attempting to accom-
plish their ends.
Does Mr.. Bryan believe it to be law
full for a combination of corporations
or individuals to COnspire to destroy a
man s business, unless he buys their
product at their prices2 If not, does he
believe it to be lawful for a comblna-
tion of men to attempt to conspire to
ruin man business unless he buys
his labor from them at their prices
and on their terms? Does he personal
ly favor the legalization of the boy
colt?
For a man who asks the vote of bus
mess men, and who probably expects
to get the vote of some of them, the
Denver candidate shows remarkable
contempt for interests which every
business man deems to be vital,
Says Mr.. Bryan: Every man who
is engaged in a work which is useful
to society is business man; every
man who contributes by brain or mus
Gle to the nation wealth or the ma
ton progress is business man. Can
it be said that all who are engaged in
any honorable or helpful work have
vital concern in the defeat of the
Democratic party.
Let me tell Mr.. Bryan that | have
every one Of these men in mind when
pointing out the reasons why all Of
them should vote against him. | APP
peal to every business man in the I'm
tied States, regardless of calling, To-
cality or party, to aid in burylng Bry-
an and Organism under such an avail
anche of votes in 1903 that the work
will not have to be done over again in
1912, or ever James W. Van Cleave
in American Industries for August.
With the courts almost uniformly
against the union, how can it be con
sidered otherwise than lawless7 This
is a question we would like for Mr..
Van Cleave to answer. Are not in
functions against the union issued be-
fore there is trial of the case thereby
deciding the union is the guilty party
Are not the militia called ont, and I'M
ion men arrested and examined at ran
dom? Why are not the non-union ele-
ment treated the same-arrested and
examined regarding concealed weap,
ons? If Mr. Van Cleave desires it, LET
Bryan's stand regarding the working,
man be the issue, and see who will
win, Bryan or Taft.