davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS.

Shall the working men of Amer
lea keep quiet and refrain from
talking about the courts, and bear
all the injunction abuses that are
now being heaped upon them for
fear of being looked upon as IN
American and enemies of law and
order! Such seems to be the pol
icy advised by some who profess
to be the friends of the working
people.
Organized labor does not agree
with this policy at all. When the
courts are wrong we have the same
right to criticise as we have to
criticise any other class of wrong
doors. That is the principle upon
which this government is formed,
and our hope of prevent
ing wrongs from creeping
i'll and overthrowing the right.
Trade Unionists have as much re-
spect for the courts of the land as
any other set of men when the
courts are right, but contend when
the courts have departed from the
paths laid down for them in the
constitution Of our country, and
when they are robbing people of
their rights and liberties, union
men have a right to protest and to
point out these facts without being
considered un-American or an
enemy Of law and order.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
THE HAPPINESS OF WORK.

After all is said and done the
really happy man is he who works
in some useful avocation. The
man who never works, even
though he possesses millions, has no
real happiness, and deserves none.
Happiness in this life is con-
ditioned upon being engaged in
some honest, virtuous labor. The
individual, no matter what his
possessions, must think right and
work right before everything comes
out all right
By this we do not intend to con-
vey the idea that mans only sal
walton is in what is known as
''hard work. But we do mean to
say that each man must have some
work to do, and that he must do
it faithfully, honestly and COLI
sclentiously, if he wants to be
happy.
The absolutely idle man, be he
rich or poor, is the most miserable,
most useless, and most to be pitied
of any being that we know of. Life
prisoners in our penitentiaries have
work to relieve their monotony,
the insane have no consciousness
of their misery, but the idle man
is in worse plight than either.
The fellow who is busy at job
he likes is happy, no matter
whether his reward is proportion
ate to his effort or not.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

a legal eight hour workday.be-
cause it is the one thing that, more
than all others, will decrease III
temperance, poverty, pauperism,
ignorance and crime; establish in
the hearts and souls of wage
earners new Inspiration, better
and higher ambitions and more
respect for self and for others;
bring them into the enjoyment of
better homes, better clothing,
better health, purer home relations
and cause each individual to be-
come a better citizen and compon-
ent part of society as whole.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
WAGES AND PRICES.

Everybody knows that wages
have not kept up with the upward
trend of prices. We have shut
out foreign goods to enable manu-
facturers to raise prices, but we
have not shut out the cheap
European labor which is eagerly
substituted for native American
labor by the very corporations
which are loudest in their de-
mand for protective tariff for
the alleged benefit of home labor
Our hopes for an automatic
regulation of prices through do
nestle competition have been
rudely shattered by the organi-
cation of trusts and monopolies
destroying competition at home
and defying it to come in from
abroad over the high tariff wall we
have built for them.
How long are the American
consumers going to tolerate this
daylight robbery, this. despoiling
their substance by means of a
rouber tariff to further enrich a
few people whose present riches
ere menance to the institutions
of our country
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
FIGHT FOR DETERMINATION.

One of the most deep laid and
systematic plots against labor ever
conceived by the enemies of or
ganized labor is being manipulated
IN this state for the purpose Of
wlplDg out the United Mine
Workers organization in the Kan.
awha field Every conceivable
method is being used to rend the
union asunder. Many paid spies
are working in the Valley whose
sole purpose is to create dissention
among the men by creating race
trouble: discomfort and dissatis.
faction. These emissaries of the
union busters have been quite
busy for some time past and are
still carrying on their nefarious
work.
The perpetuation of the organi-
cation depends upon the rank and
file and unless they do their whole
duty and stand solidly together
and encourage and assist their
officers they will be thrust back in
the state of slavery that existed
before the appearance of the or
ganization.
The fractional fight promoters
and trouble breeders in the ranks
should be given wide berth by
all men who wish to see the or
ganization grow and prosper.
Many other pit falls have been
prepared by the enemies of union
ism and the only way to thwart
the disruption scheme is for all the
men working under the joint agree
ment to get into the local unions
at the place at which they are en-
ployed and lendI their moral and
financial aid A house divided
against itself is sure to fall, but
united action will foil the great
scheme of the soulless corporation
and will extend the organizations
power throughout the entire state.
A glance at che conditions which
now prevail on Cabin Greek, New
River and other notorious scab
fields should be ample lesson Of
what may be expected if the men
in the kanawha Valley become
Indifferent to the welfare of them
selves and families.
Agtitate, educate and organize,
otherwise ignorance, poverty and
shame will be the harvest that will
be reaped as Il result of indiff'er-
ence and dissention. Get busy to-
day, tomorrow, it may be too late.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The business and protest. onal
men and citizens of Charleston in
general who are not affiliated with
the public service corporations and
not controlled by the ''interests,"
proves that the people condemn
the ''buy partisan" city charter
just as generally as they condemn
all vicious graft measures.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

Notices were posted in PennSyl-
vania towns last week announcing
wage reductions of ten per cent.
for about thirty thousand men.
To sharpen the point of the April
Fool joke on the wage workers
who expected Taft to bring pros
perity, the announcement was
made in the financial news the
same day that one hundred and
fifty million dollars would be paid
out within few days as divi-
dendS on stock and interest on
bonds to men who do not work but
who own the places where other
men work for wages when they get
a chance.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The Charleston gas trust got in
their work ON the people last
month. Gas bills were higher in
many instances than during the
coolest winter month This ex-
tortion will continue to 60 on until
the citizens arouse aud abolish
this highway robbery by insisting
on the creation of city metre in
spector and see that his duties are
performed in an honest and intelli-
gent manner.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The only hope for labor to secure
the needed legislation it has been
seeking in this state for years is
through a united effort which can
only be effected through a thor
ough and systematic fight by the
State Federation. Now is the time
to begin. Delays are dangerous
Affiliate with the State body at
once so that-it will be prepared to
meet the opposition in solid
philanx at the next session of the
Legislature.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
THURSDAY, APRIL s, 1903.
LABOR'S WATCHWORD,

Ne wiW stnnd hy Onr friemds dntl
administer stinging rebnke TO men
On. Dnriies ,chO IRE either indiGel ent,
megiigent or hosile, and, 'cheneOer OPP
p0,itnity uDOrtis, secure Tie election
Of Intelligent, JhOneSt, earnest hddes-
umi0nists ,ciM, nHblrmishcd, p0id up
uniOu carts IN their possession.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

If some kind hearted public
benefactor would provide a popu:
lar loating place for the multitudes
that swarm about the city during
the pretty spring days, there
would be loud rejoicing among the
property owners and business men
on our principal streets to say
nothing about lady shoppers, who
find it a great inconvenience dcdg
ing aroud them.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
AN AMERICAN DUTY.

The action Of the Cabin Creek
Coal Operators i'll forcing the min
ers in their employ to return to
the old system of a ten hour day
plainly shows that one of the en-
evitable steps in West Virginia's
industrial progress which will have
to be taken in the very near future
is the establish Of the eight
hour day.
The demand on part of the
working class for the establishment
of the eight-hour workday is not
sentimental affair, but is the
sequence of an intelligent interpre-
tation CT history. The welfare of
nation Goes not consist in the
gold and silver that lies buried in
vaults and treasures, but in the
intelligence, the skill and the labor
that the people are willing to ex-
pend upon the raw material Of
their own and other countries.
The invention of labor saving
machinery, while multiplying and
cheapening the products, has
lessened the skill Of the mechanic
and degraded the worker to the
monotOny of mechanical slavery
under soulless task master.
Therefore it is necessary to de-
crease the hours of labor, so that
the workers can place themselves
in proper relation to the condi-
tions Of today.
The best interest Of the State, as
well as the social and economic
conditions of the people demand
the elght-hOur work day. All
modern writer's in economies agree
that every instance of the shorten
ing Of the workday-a as it has been
shortened, step by step, during
the past century, from sixteen
hours to fourteen. twelve, eleven.
ten, nine and in many instances to
elght-haS resulted in a decrease
of intemperance, idleness and
crime among wage earnerS; the
requirement and cultivation of
newer and better tastes and desires.
and bring with these things better
civilization, better homes, increas-
ed domestic felicity and all round
h Oh IL Of ),
gence. Without variation, history
shows that the decrease or climina-
ton of intemperance, poverty.
pauperlSm, ignorance and their
most OF accompanying evils par
lels with a proportionate increase
OF better social opportunities and
higher plane of life amoug wage
earnerS. This fact stands out in
bold relief. with no show of i'm
parchment as to its historical and
absolute accuracy.
No reasonable person can dis
pute the fact that when the hours
OF labor We're 50 long the workers
had few or no social opportunities,
through lack OF both time and
physical ambition: stimulauts were
their solace, and their society was
found by reSol ting to the saloon.
where they encountered an iron
law for spending that could not be
dlsregarded without loss of caste
in the only society opportunity
permitted them to euter. 1t is
therefore labors duty, and that of
all BONA hde retormers of society,
to continue to agitate and work for
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

If some of the married men who
haunt the streets at night in
search of victims would spend
their evenings in the bosom of
their families there would be more
happy homes and less innocent
young girls sacrificed to life of
shame.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
Another mine explosion.

Another mine explosion. Mine
inspectors left for scene of disaster.
Blame laid at door of one of the
victims. Operators blameless.
Six lives swept into eternity. Thus
ends the sad story and the in
Vestigators now await another
disaster.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The Dixon Mail, the local mouth
piece of the union crushing brigade,
in its issue of Saturday remarked
that the paving contractors were
giving Charleston labor the prefer
ence. We were unaware that
Italy possessed a town or city Of
that name.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The gas bills for the past month
show conclusively what may be
expected under the new charter.
The people will be tieeced to the
Queens taste.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
Bread Fritters.

Cut stale bread in thin slices;
then shape with biscuit cutter,
spread with raspberry jam. and
press q pair together. Dip into
the following batter and fry in
deep hot fat. Serve with maple
syrup.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The macaroni market has enjoy
ed quite an increase in trade since
the arrival of the street paving
contractors and their force Of
'home labor (D'.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

Some of the bosses on the city
improvement contract work, seems
to have graduated as first mates on
the Mississippi packets, Judging
from the language they use in
their slave driving stunts.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

We would suggest that the
county court add the practice of
maintaining "soiled' doves over
saloons as an ot1ense which would
deprive the liquid vendors Of
securing license.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The practice of street corner and
public place lOafers using pro-
fame and indecent language is a
nuisance that should be abated at
once tor the protection of the
ladies and children
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The street walkers are still
carrying on their nightly stunts
without interference. a great adj
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

Now is the time to subscribe for
The Labor Argus. Only paper in
the State that fights the powers
that maintain the guard system.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08
Town I ak
BIZ THE WASP
By THE W ASP

"LoverS Lane continues to be
the TRUSTING place of many ques-
tionable characters, much to the
annoyance of the residents of that
vicinity and the citizens who
traverse that thoroughfare.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The gas trust got in it's work on
the consumers last month. The
appearance of the sun seemed to
make the meters work overtime.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

1t cost the gentlemen who pur
chased votes at the November
election 1875. The license does not
seem to come very high.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-04-08

The Infamous guard system
continues its reign of intimidation
and lawlessness in the scab
coal fields
The Detroit times., 1909-02-24
ASKS PERMISSION TO-
SCAVENGER CITY

\ possible source of wealth that has
been allowed 10 go uncult!vated In
Detroit streets and alleys is being I'm.
vcstlsattd ~ cnterprising local pro.
motors Mavor Breitmcyer was re.
qdested to give hearing to some men
who are considering the formation pf
a company TO collect paper and refuse
from the STREETS and alleys
y Al present this work Is done by the
white wings ard the ward gangs. and
nG portions NJ the collections is saved
for commercial use except the tin can
which are sold by the city.
In New York ana European cities,
however. tho paper, glass rubber and
ether waste material is carefully sore.
cd and something is realized from it,
sGlC.
They might get permit from the
city for collection IL the city can make
money by the deal" SAYS the mayor
But ! do not think that We would
enter into any contract 20 pay money
ia any company to collect papers an
refuse when the city can do the work
itself at the same expense"
The Detroit times., 1909-02-24
Society Women See
Lady Richardson
Dance in Bare Feet

NEW YORK. Feb. 24.-There was
q GREATNESS silence when the lights
were turned down in Sherrys' big ball
room last night and Lady Constance
Stewart Richardson. barefooted, and
IN white garments. was seen silhouet-
ted against wark green curtain.
N0t a murmur OF applause greeted
the eccentric nobleWoiIan. The audi
elIce composed OF pillars ~ society
for instance. Mrs. Ei;ri!Se- I. Gerry
and Eer daugE or, Mr.. and MIS-. John
II Drexel, LA - Paget. Mrs. Frederick
W. Vanderbilt. Mrs. Herbert Snipman,
Mrs. Richard Gambrlll. Mrs. Alexander
Van Rensselaer, and others with who's >
names society conf. es--did not know,
apparently what 10 do or how To re-
CeiVe her.
In fact Il was pot until after Lady
ConstarCe had done her first grouc OF
thrce dances ina. the audience &C.
corded her a real good applause fer
her forts TO. cEmity.
Not more than zoe were present AZ
ne cn,eTtainmci and Of these tIcr"
were not moo tlan a dozen or so
mra
Once the leo o. reserve was broken
l.ady Constance '"ceived fer full meas
me Of appreciation from the WoE:eh
D asent. The men looked bored.
The Detroit times., 1909-02-24
RICH MAN SLEEPS
IN CHEAP HOUSE
IN SlUMS
DENVER MILLIONAIRE WEARS
JUMPER, OvERALlS AND BRO
cANs-GETS GERMlcICE BATH
MiNGliNG WITH HO5CES.

NEW YORK, Feb. "a edwin \.
Brown, a Denver millionaire. cousin
OF w. G.. Brown. president or the New
York Central railroad, slept in the
municipal lodging house on East TWEEN
ty-:ifth.st. ana today he said he found
everything clear and Wholesome and
the food good.
Mr. Brown deserves TO induce his
home city to establish Il municipal
lodging house and he is getting practl'
cai experience TO aid hlm IN the move
nent.
The millionaire left his elegant suite
OF looms in fashionable fifth-ave.
hotel, wearing under bis expensive
oyerCOat a jumper that cost Sixty
cents. pair OF overalls that cost %
cents. shirt that cost p cents ana
brogans for which he paid s.. he
walked over To another hotel. checked
his overcoat and thus affected MS
transformation into rough looking
"workingman.'
Mr.. Brown proceeded 10 the East
Twenty.second-sL police station ana
applied for lodging He was directed
10 432 East Nv ,aty-fifth-st.. the new
municipal lodging house. He had JUST
eaten at his hCtel, but simulated nun
ger on his arrival al the lodging house
and received q ration OF bread ana
coffee as did the characters OF the
underworld who were quartered IN
the place.
Mr. Brown was required TO undress
and all his garments were placed IN
net bag, TO go 10 the fumlsatioE
room Then he WAS told he must
battle. As he entered the bathroom
man with q pail and paddle as he
described him. met him at the en-
trance and showered him with germ1-
oiIe.
A raj. OF socks. a clean night gown
and a clean towel were next PROVIDED
and Mr.. Brown was directed 10 a clean
bed with snowy linen and hair pillow
that was comfortable. The Denver
rlllopaire. one oi the richest proper
" owners in that city. slept all nlGhI
IN the municipal lodging house and
learned a great deal.
The Detroit times., 1909-02-24
POLICE SMILE At
BOYS LUR|O TALE
GEO. KAISER, WHO SAYS THUGS
ASSAULTED HIM, Is REFORM
SCHOOL GRADUATE.

Twelve-year-old George kaisers
thrilling tale of horrid experience
with two colored men. told when he
was found unconscious under rub
bish heap IN the rear Of the Saliva
ton Army industrial home, caused
considerable excitement in certain
circles bur the police are not worry
ing much
Georgia is TOO well known by the
police for them to place any credence
in his wild tale. He is now on pro
baton from the reform school, where
he was sent for the theft of some
jewelry from his mother.
when he Was nine years old he
tried 10 wreck Il train near Pontiac,
but the police were unable TO deal
with him owing To his tender years.
He has given the truant officers much
trouble since he was eight years old,
but they grimly bided their time un-
til he should pass the ten-year mark.
He reached that age Jan. IA, 1901 On
Jan. rs. 1907. h was arrested for
the jewelry theft and was sent to the
ltlDl III oNlOOis hiO uSl sNh' NiOi -
of friends he was paroled last Deem
Der.
Tuesday night, shortly after
o'clock. II foreman in barn near Sec
ond and Frut'sts. heard means EN-
anating from the rubbish heap. HI
rescued" George. who told IA thrill
ling tale Of having been followed from
the docks by two Negroes; being
struck in the head while walking on
First-st., and losing consciousness.
George repeated the story Wednes
day morning When doubts as TO his
veracity were expressed he flushed
deeply. but doggedly maintained that
he was telling the truth.
His story was 10 the effect that he
had lain under the rubbish heap from
Monday evening TO Tuesday evening
helpless and unconscious.
He was sent to st. Mary's hospital
where doctors and nurses were un
able TO find the slightest traces OF
assault, or even illness. His temper.
ature was normal. and the medical
folk were puzzled.
Lieut.. Breault. of the truant squad
SAYS that George is a very bad actor
The Detroit times., 1909-02-24

TWO THOUSAND SHEEP ALSO
PERISH IN STORM THAT
SWEEPS OVER COLORADO.

DENVER, Col, Feb. 2i-Threc mon
were frozen TO death during the bliz-
zard yesterday and fourth Is dyins,
while several others are missing in
various parts OF Colorado. j. +. Kill
patrick. of the Fort Morgan Times
became separated from his compar-
ions while rabbit hunting and lost his
way His body was found a mile west
Of Orchard by a searching party.
Christian Yantiss. a Colorado and
Southern section foreman was struck
by passenger train south Of Loveland
during the blizzard and hurled into d
deep snow bank twenty-five feet away.
unconscious. His frozen body was
discoI cred by his father
Il. L'Africqucs. IA herder, and Il
bunch Of 1000 sheep he was in charge
Of, were driven miles before the
storm near Hugo where they persisted
Thomas Kenny, who was also with the
herd was so badly frozen that he Is
expected to die.
Reports from the plains indicate that
seNeTal other herders and large bunch
es OF sheep are missing and undoubt-
edly persisted.