The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-16

pioyers are law-AhidinE. peaceful and
honorafAe ciftsenk. and do not think
that IL In just TO lay up the error,
and wrongs OF individuals TO the en-
tire group to Which they belong. I
also think-and this N a belief which
has been borne upon me through
many years OF practical experience
that the trade union n growing con-
stantly In wisdom as well as in pow.
er. and In becoming one of the most
cfncient agencies toward the solution
OF our industrial problems. the eiimi-
nation OF poverty and Of industrial
disease and accidents. the lessening
az unemployment. the achievement OF
industrial democracy and the attain
ment OF larger measure OF social
and Industrial Justice.
IL we're a factory employe. a work.
man on the railroads. or = wage-earner
OF any sort. | would undoubtedly Join
tue union Of my trade II disap-
order 10 fight thai policy; IL the union
readers were dishonest. I would Join
IN order TO put them out I believe in
the union and ] believe that all men
VINO are benefited by the union are
morally bound 10 help 10 the extent
ests advanced by the union
Project ualeaist and Non urIonIse
Alike.
Nevertheless. irrespective OF wheth-
er man should OF should not and
does or does not join the union OF
ms TRADE. all the rights. privileges and
sn nunlues OF that man as an Amer
lcan and as a citizen should be safe
guarded and upheld by the law. We
aare not make an outlaw OF any indi-
iuosi % any group, whatever his or
It's opinions or professions. The nom
ulonist, like the unionjst. must be pro-
. a
lnll weight and power OF the law.
me Government and Its Employees.
ms question came up before me IN
me shape OF the right OF a non.union
prlnter named Miller to hold his posi-
.on IN me government printing Office
AS | said before. / believe in trade
unions. l always prefer to see a union
shop. But my private preferences
cannon control my public actions. The
government can recognize neither
union men nor non-union men as such.
ana Is pound TO treat both exactly
alike. In the government printing ~.
ne NOT many months prior to the
opening or the presidential camnaign
OF 1904. when l was up for Reelection
discovered that a man had been dis.
,h because he did not belong TO
tne union. l reinstated him Nj
Sompers. the president OF the Amer.
Ian FEDERATION OF Labor, with various
ineinDers OF The executive counciI Of
tnat BODY, called upon me TO protest
on Septem Der 29. 1903. and I answered
them as follows:
thank you and your committee
Ior your courtesy. and | appreciate
tne opportunity TO meet with YOU N
viii always be a pleasure 10 see Won
OF any representatives of your organ
whole as
As regards the Miller case. have
IN h..
said. In dealing with II ask yo, 10
remember that | am dealing purely
win the relation OF the Governmant
10 lts employees. I must govern mn,
action by the laws OF the land. which
J am sworn to administer. and when
Glnerentiate any case in which the
SoreIhhent or the United States is
ever. These laws are enacted for the
dement, OF the whole people, and can
not and must not be construed "a
permitting discrimination apainst
some OF the people. I am President or
al the people OF the United States
WITHOUT regard 10 creed, color. birth
place, occupation, or social condition
MY aim is to do equal and exact ms
tice as among them all. In the EN-
Lioyment and dismissal OF men in the
government service ] can no more
recognize the fact that n man does
or uoes not belong 20 a union >as be-
ing Tor or against him than can
recognize the fact that he Is a Pro,es-
tsnt or Catholic. a Jew or a Gentle
rs being for or against him
IN the communications sent me bv
various labor organizations PROTESTING
AGAINST the retention OF Miller in rho
government Printing Office. the
grounds alleged are twofold. i thai
ne Is non-union man: 2. that he e.
not personally ut. The question OF
MS personal fitness is one 10 he SGT
tied in the routine of adminlstratfyc
detall. and cannot be allowed 10 con
liIct WIN or 10 complicate the larger
question or governmental dischimina-
uon Tor or against him or any other
man because he Is or is not a mem
DER OF union. This Is the only
question now before me for decision.
ana as 10 this my decision is final /"
Socialists and Non-SociaIists.
because or things 7 have done m,
behaf or justice 20 the workingman
J have often been called n SociaIisf
Usually ] have not taken the troubio
even 20 notice the epithet. / am no,
erald OF names. and ! am not one Of
those VINO fear 10 do what Is right
because some one else will confounl
me with partisans with whose prin.
oiples ] am not in accord. Noreover
know that many American Social
lists are high-minded and bonorabl.
cltizens, who In reality are merelv
radical social reformers They arc
opposed ny the brutalities and Undue