The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-10-01
BRYAN RIGHT FOR ONCE.


= discovery which indicates that he
may yet become able to recognize q
pain economic truth when he meets It
" me open light of day. !" The Re
punhcans, he shouts, shave made q
record on labor questions and the Re-
publican party cannot escape from
that record.
For once In the course Of his spec
tacular and erratic career Mr.. Bryan
y right. The Republicans have made
record on labor questions, and the
Republican party has no desire to es-
oepestrom 1t. 1t is a story of sue
SoSsfm effort in behalf OF Industrial
liberty which has no parallel in the
history Of mankind. The hrst chap
Ter OF the Republican record was
written with the sword In war
which destroyed the institution of
slavery and thus gave living force to
kne self-eyident truth proclaimed by
me fathers, that all men are created
xree. That momentous event for
ever established the principle that
American labor should be free labor,
ma no longer exposed to the compe-
sation of the unrequited bopdsman in
projects OF industrial enterprise.
From that splendid beginning the
Republican record ON labor questions,
mas grown step by step, chapter by
chapter to its present array of accom-
aplished results. It includes the en-
ectment OF laws enabling every Amer
lean to share In the ownership OF
American soil. Through into being
the free school system, thus enabling
the youth of the country to at them
selves for the duties OF life and mn,
derstand the responsibilities as we'll
- the opportunities of American citi-
Eenship.
The Republican record consists IN
part OF the creation Of the protective
system which has not only made the
American mechanic the best paid
workingman In the world, but has
also made. the United States the fore
most manufacturing nation on earth.
Il has demonstrated that the national
energy which produces raw cotton,
wool, copper and iron ore can trans
form these elements into finished
products and sell them in competition
with the products of free trade labor
In the markets OF the world.
Republican craftsmanship enacted
the eight honr law. It has steadfast-
" fostered the spirit OF good will be-
tween employer and employe. It has
constantly. favored arbitration as a
means of adjusting labor controver-
sizes. II has instituted wise measures
20 protect employees from accident in
mills and; mines and has led the move
ment TO establish an effective system
OF factory inspection. The law re-
quiring the use of safety appliances
on railroads Is a Republican measure.
: Republican policy fayors an employ
ers' liability law, the restriction of
child labor and the protection OF free,
honest labor from the degrading COM
petition OF convict labor.
The Republican record on labor In
cluies another achievement of equal
importance. The Republican party,
while favoring such measures as shall
secure to. the American workingman
wages far exceeding those paid in
; free trade countries. also insists that
bis wages shall be paid in honest
money Bryan stands for the twin
deviltries of free trade and free sill
yer. with industrial paralysis as the
logical consequence. Republicanism
stands for protected labor, honest
money and business stability.
The Republican party, as the ca
Vanity candidate truly declares, has
made record on labor questions, but
he is deplorably tardy in discovering
It. The American people have been
familiar with 1t at every stage OF its
making and It bears the seal of their
hearty support and approval. The
record represents the most benefcent
triumphs Of Republican spirit and
purpose, and against its story Of hon
orahie and useful service In behalf OF
the common good Bryan and his as
sociate demagogues will raise their
nofay clamor IN vain