The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1910-08-20
Organized Labor's Endorsement

(y Il. E. Davis, member Goldfeld Local International Typographical
Union)
CTION of the Goldfeld local of the International Typographical
a Union in endorsing the candidacy of Charles S. Sprague for
= Representative in Congress, and of George Brodigan for secre-
hary of State of Nevada, comes not only Is a pleasant surprise to the
candidates themselves, but probably al a unpleasant surprise to those
interests that have been trying to create the impression, in quarters
where the two candidates are not personally known, that they have
been and arr unfriendly to union labor.
1t is well known that it is against the general principles of the
international Typographical Union, perhaps the most conservative of
al. the labor organizations, to enter a political campaign Or to in any
way take sides. However, when it is for the good of the order such
action is permissible, and upon the face of the letters of Endorsement
published today, it appears that the Goldfeld local union decided that
it is for ''the good of the order that Messrs. sprague and Brodigan
be endorsed and that it be recommended to organized labor in general
that it support the two candidates.
There are well defined reasons for the action of the Goldfeld
local Typographical Union. In reference to Mr.. Hrodigan it may be
said that for years he was a printer and now is member of the local
typographical union in good standing, and has a record of adherence
to and belief in the underlying principles of organized labor, viz: "A
square deal to laborer and capitalist alike" He has held public of
flee for several years in Esmeralda county as recorder and auditor,
and his reputation for probty and ability is absolutely above the least
suspicion. He is a man to trust-a stanch friend and a clean gentle
man. And for these reasons the local typographical union took evil
dent pleasure in endorsing his candidacy.
Back of the Endorsement of Mr.. Sprague there was a deeper
reason, as well as a desire to help a man who had performed signal and
inestimably valuable service to the typographical union. Nh. sprague
has long been an employer of union printers and pressmen, both in
Colorado and in Nevada and has a record for not only fair, but gen
erous dealing with his employees.
In Goldfeld nearly a year ago a printing concern employing half
of the printers and pressmen employed in Goldfeld, started a fight to
csuN oVVh No-Nosu n Iotc ttNSnlu III lh. tINo w ooibBt tS 1--WE"
Typographical union. The manager of that printing concern at that
time called upon Mr.. Sprague several times to gain his cooperation
in nonnnionizing the printing business in GoLdfeld, but he fatfooted-
~ and steadfastly refused to strike at the typographical union, saying
that before he would make any attempt to 'scab" the town he would
shut the doors of his big printing plant and suspend publication OF his
two papers. BY maintaining the integrity of his own printing plant
Mr.. Sprague enabled enough loyal union printers to remain in town
steadily employed, to carry on their fight for very existence, and as a
result union lei are today employed in all the printing plants in the
camp. Had Mr.. Sprague no. taken his firm stand non-union printers
would have been imported and employed, and the wage materially
lowered. Today the printers of Goldfeld receive the highest wages
paid in the state.
In justice to the present management of the printing concern in
questionable Trbune-it should be said that these proposals were
made a few months ago, before Mr.. Ricketts, assumed charge.
1t generally known that the Republicans of the state and their
Democratic allies and hrelings are doing everything within their pow
er to prevent the nemination of Mr.. Sprague, knowing him to be the
strongest candidate the Democrats could put up; they cannot attack
his character o. his public service, but are making contemplate filings
and insinuations intended to discredit him with the wage working
classes and send to congress a man who is in harmony with the Nixon
Bartlett ideas n tariff and labor. And knowing this resolve o the
part Of the Republican machine, and knowing the efforts put forth to
nominate over Mr.. Sprague a man whose labor record and interest in
labor is measured only by the fees that have been paid him, the Gold
field Typographical Union has set a precedent and recommended to
union labor throughout Nevada that it support the nomination and
election of Charles S. Sprague to the national house Of representatives
voluntarily given.