The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-08-17


Rock Hill, Dec. 27, 1919.-Cole L.
Blease, former governor OF South
Carolina, delivered an address before
the representatives of the textile un-
ions of the city.
Mr.. Blease spoke of the rights of
laboring men to organize, dropping in
some words of advice as to what
labor organization should and should
not do. A considerable portion of the
time was taken up in criticising the
Democratic administration, state and
national, the speaker referring to the
fact that he was still as much opposed
to our entering the war as ever and
declared that time had shown where
he was right three years ago.
Speaking of the labor unions, Mr..
Blease said men had the right to or
ganize and to bargain collectively. Or
ganize and tell people about your
union, don't confine the membership
strictly to the men of the particular
occupation. He said lawyers take in
none but lawyers and doctors none
but physicians. One reason Tor the
death of so many organizations is
that they allow anyone to become
member, said the speaker, referring
particularly to the organizations OF
farmers. You have the right to or
ganize and I believe in the right to
strike when you think you are not
getting a sufficient wage. However,
he impressed the fact that this does
not give the right to destroy property
for while the employee has the right
to quit if he does not receive the wage
he thinks he should the employer has
the same right to refuse to pay it and
tell the employee that he will have to
quit. Mn Blease insisted that the
members of the local union should be
mighty careful in the selection OF
their leaders. He counseled them to
strive to place and keep their organ
ization on a high plane, and to strive.
by being good citizens as individuals,
to make their organization one that
would benefit membership. His part
ing word was to keep the organiza-
tion out of politics, saying that they
say keep out of politics and that is
good thing to remember"
Mr.. Blease bitterly arraigned the
administration forces in Washing
ton for plunging the country into war
and declared that his Pomaria and
Filbert speeches Of three years ago
had turned into prophecies. He still
contended that we had no right to
enter the war and thought events had
proved this. The people were fast
repudiating those who had made war
possible, and when they get another
shot, they are going to put in Re-
publican president and change the en-
tire regime at Washington. He de-
clared that the present government
is not democracy, the past congress
was not Democratic, that the president
was not a Democrat and never was.
He referred to the fact that the gov
ernment was rapidly sapping states
rights, reference being. made to the
suffrage and prohibition amendments
to the federal constitution. He gave
the appearance of being pleased with
the thought that the country was go
ing Republican, but declared that so
long as they put 'niggers" on the
ticket in his state he could not stom-
ach the thought of voting Republican.
He added however, that he could not
vote the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Blease also referred to the re-
cent congressional election in North
Carolina and declared his belief that
the Republican candidate would be
seated. He said if he was in congress
he would vote to seat Morehead over
Hoey, as he believed the election was
stolen from the Republican candi-
date.
Strikes.