Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1923-04-13
MUFFTNS
PeonaRe in Flonelai

Peonage in Flor1dai
The newspapers discover II with
surprise. Labor papers knew about
IL and howled about il years ago.
Peonage continues.
Now comes a happening Of note.
A boy, Martin Tabert, Of North
Dakota, Seeing the world" got
stranded in Florida, Tipped freight,
got caught, put in jail and so into
a lumber camp manned largely BY
prisoners furnished on contract.
Parents and friends learned that
the boy was in Jail. They offered 20
pay his fine. They were informed
he couldn't be found" That Is said
TO be the usual answer In such cases
Meanwhile the boy was stricken
with malaria. Thus, unable to work.
he was laid face down in the mud
and dashed with heavy strap. He
died of this. So MS Glow prisoners
testify.
j. X. Jones, sheriff OF Leon county,
admits returning the money offered
TO pay the fine. The Putnam Lum-
her Company admits the contract
labor practice. They write: BEG to
advise that We lave al able bodied
men prisoners leased from Leon coun-
ty for term of one year" Jp5t
thus, stark and unashaned; ealloused
beyond perception of it own hideous-
ness, perhaps.
After Martin Tabert died his nome
town took up the case and then the
state of North Dakota got busy. The
legislature of North Dakota has pro-
tested to Florida and asked punish
ment for the person or persons res
ponsible for the boys death.
The governor of Florida promises
to ask the Florida legislature to out
law peonage.
1t begins to look as if peonage
might be in for its death blow in
Florida.
If so, every unfortunate in the
state will have reason to observe in
gratitude the memory of Martin Ia
bert and the state of North Dakota.
The story of peonage in Florida is
repulsive and terrible. 1t is the pro-
duct of greed and cupidity. Honor
to those who destroy this wretched
system. Step by step civilization
stdihpo oul the traces Oh IT'S DIullsH
past.
Judge Gary says the steel business
must be conducted on basis of "un-
doubted morality" Yes, yes; good
morning, judge.
The undoubted morality of the
twelve hour day will be agreed to,
of course, by all members in good
standing at every meeting of the
board of directors of the steel trust.
Undoubtedly!
The undoubted morality of wages
that induce tenement over-crowding
and leave brains too tired for any,
thing but sleep will be agreed to like
wise and by the same persons.
The undoubted morality of firing
every man that belongs to a union
and the undoubted morality of run
ming steel trust coal mines under the
guns OF private guards will be SIM
ilarly approved with benign smiles.
The undoubted morality of these
things has never been called in ques-
ton by those that don't doubt that
kind of morality.
The ushers will now accept the
>sSNOahohJ HiOihiB iiCIiHks 1OOQ
morning, judge; good morning, dea-
con.
All, the marvel of morals la
carte!
The New York Times declares that
certain powerful industrial magnates
are urging Harding to make the
"open shop" a national campaign is
sue in 1924.
What could be more interesting
than that? 1t would help line things
in their real light. Why shouldn't
the "open shoppers" all get together
in one party?
But as a political issue upon which
to win what could be more ridicu-
lous. 1t doesn't sound like anything
more serious than a good joke. 1t
would be getting "back to normalcy"
for sure.
But if the Republican party did
Mr.. Newton d. Baker hang his hat?
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