The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-17
KANSAS COMMENT
THE JOB OF Mr. GoMpEE

THE JOB OF MR.. GOMPERS.
me unanimous reelection of Samuel
Gompers as president of the American
reoeratlon OF Labor at Toronto may
v iookeo upon as a compliment, or a
burden of responsibility. 1t may be
hoped that Mr. Gompers takes the lat
Ter view OF 1t. The intention of the
ieoeraIon to follow. without division,
MS leadership. which the vote at To-
Fonto expresses makes the leadership a
has been. :
Mr. Gompers is under sentence by
me supreme court of the District Of
columbia for contempt committed in
carrying On a boycott. Until higher
court has sroken the verdict is bind
ing mandate of law There may be-
and doubtless is. a reasonable question
"netner contempt judgments, in cases
Where the action regarded as con-
tenptuous is committed outside the
presence OF the court, is best adjudged
by the court itself. or by jury. but
the place to fight this matter out is
IN laW-maling tribunals. Until the law
is changed, the rule as it now stands
is enecHve, and the judgments render
ed by it are as binding upon Mr.
Gompers as upon any other individual
or concern. Labor complains, and with
some Justice, that there are classical
lions in responsibility to the law-that
the powerful stand in a different atti-
tuSAO ~ lilC ldW lIdn 40 Tie weak uC
argument cannot, however, be raised
In labor's behalf while Mr.. Gompers
assumes an attitude of defiance to the
law, and depends upon the strength
of the great labor force behind him to
support his defiance and make it eff
fectiVe.
1t will be Mr.. Gompers' privilege to
each labor that same law obedience
which labor insists upon as necessary
in other directions. Mr.. Gompers can
show by example that the man who
heads the cause of million laboring
men holds no different rank before the
court than the humblest shoyeler whom
he in measure commands. And in
doing this he will be able to impress
in a striking way the justice of the
claim that the lawless head of great
corporation is subject to no different
consideration in court than the poorest
of criminals.
The administration of Mr.. Gompers
in the next term of Office is going to
be an important test of whether labor
by application of the reasonableness
for which, in others, it contends. or by
resort to the violence against which,
in others, it struggles.-Ottawa Her.
ala.
THE BEGGING BUSINESS.
A society has recently been formed
in New York known as the National
association for the prevention OF
Mendicancy and Charitable Impos-
ture, and it offers some interesting
facts as indication that it has work to
do. 1t gives some details showing
that begging in New York and other
large cities is more frequently prof
table business than the hardship of
necessity. Many of the blind men
can see after working hours:" many
of the deaf mutes are talkative enough
when they gather in their favorite
saloon; even the horrible sores which
move the generous citizen to give
aims, are frequently manufactured,
and are laid away at night; the par
alytics regain their activity. and join
in the celebration. But these are the
coarse workers of beggerdom; the
really clever ones need no such sub
terfuge. They are counts or journal
lists, mechanics or sailors, or followers
of some other honorable calling They
usually need small loan for short
time, and much of their begging is
done by clever letters. Their business
is much more profitable than that of
the lame, the halt and the blind,
professionally. who are content with
small donations.
If you hate tofbe humbugged, ii Is
well to remember these things when
approached by strangers asking char
ity. Remember there is organized
charity, which is usually prepared to
care for those who need it, but, if
you still prefer to do your own giving,
investigate, unless you are willing, your
money should buy beer instead of
Decentralization Globe. s