The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-31
A DEMOCRAT BOOMERANG.

We could wish hat the time might come when
politics would he free from attempts to excite
against candidates he passions of organized
labor. So much is due out of respect Tor labor
itself Nothing could be more insulting to the
principles for which il stands than this assumP
tiOn that il ready It's votes in accordance
with the prejudice, il may have in the particular
case. rather than in conformity with any settled
conviction lis members may have upon the issues
dividing the campaign. And we think that taken
In the mass and not considering the fanatics who
! sometimes bring IL into disrepute labor appre-
ciates and resents the insult. Certainly the at
tempted agreement between Mr.. Gompers and
Mr. William Jennings Bryan fell to earth with
ssssickcning thud". That incident proved tina,
labor was no mans to give way; it seems a hope
fnl promise that the time will come when the
I average politician will understand that it will re-.
sent the impulse implied in the attempt 10 stir
sit b. unworthy appeals TO its prejudice.
SSf In New York State the strenuous campaign
shas from time TO time brought forth great deal
ut this familiar aud pernicious batting Of class.
Mr. Roosevelt has sinned conspicuousy in this
sr&pect He has unwarrantedlv attacked Mr.
Rl)ix as an opponent of labor, when all the facts
10 to show that his great business has been run
with remarkable freedom from labor troubles He
aahas in many ways sought TO in lect such extran-
aeOns and dangerous appeals into a campaign in
@Mhich they have possible place. But what
NeSer Mr.. Rooseyelt NAV have lost hv reason of
this indefensible course has been made mp to him
It'll an equally indefensible attack on him by the
Democratic campaign committee. If Dix re-
flutes the Roosevelt charges, certainly Roosevelt
iie nj no vest ha on
mt the charges with which the Democrats retort
NJ Secretary John Mason is the man who puts
Es foot in IL on the subject of Roosevelt and
labor By again calling To attention the old case
E0f Miller once assistant foreman in the Govern
anrnt printing office in Washington. Miller was
expclled from the Union and dismissed from his
post. He appealed, he had right to do, to the
Civil Service Commission and was sustained.
When be was not re-instated. Roosevelt acted with
sommendable promptness. The position of which
he had been deprived By reason Of violation of
The implied contract underlying the civil service
Sprinciple. restored 10 him. In spite of a
sonster petition from unions all over the country,
directed at one in the Government service,
Ar. Roosevelt for once stood pat His state
things be has said, which conceded with hi. in
stant and determined action:
There Is objection 10 employees
of the Government Printing Office CON
~ shutting themselves into body if
they desire. But no rules or ree,l-
- Of HAT tffft,H eatt fe permitted
to ride over the laws Of the United
States. which ii is my duty to enforce.
NJ The campaign in New York is being waged.
from Democratic standpoint. upon the we'll
argued assumption that Theodore Roosevelt is the
Slssue. and that Theodore Roosevelt holds an am
bitten that is a national menace. 1t is waged
against the renewal of great power to a man who
n charged with being in opposition to the law and
I destructive in his tendency and opinions. How
such charge is to be strenthened by selecting
for attack the one incident which better than sny
other illustrates the dignity of the Government
and the reality of the square deal il is beyond
#ns to conceive
NJ The Democratic Committee Of New York runs
~ decided risk when, at this crucial moment, it
attempts 10 play the Colonel at his game.