Year: 1878




ago, were thrilled to the core with the
mere recital of the sufferings of tho
negro slaves of the south, and to re-
lieve them from oppression they were
ready to pour out unlimited contribu-
tions of blood and wealth. Now they
are strangely Indifferent to the horri-
BILE sufferings of those of their own
race and color who, right in their own
midst, are enduring hardships which
the well fed black slave never dream
ed of. Read the following from
Chase's Chronicle of the state to
which the laboring people of free, in
telligent, Maine are reduced:


Ever since work was commenced on
the Lewiston water works. there has
been a constant murmur of Over-work
by the men digging the bitches.
They are compelled to dig two sec.
tions-lO feet long. 2 IL feet wide and
8 to Z feet deep per day, whether the
digging is clay, gravel or sand; days
work is ten hours, and not moment
is allowed for rest. There is no way
of change so as to rest the muscles,
but constant digging and throwing
of dirt-a boss walks up and down
shouting "Hurry up! hurry up,
there J" constantly.


This digging is much more exhaust
ing and wearisome than ,shOveling in
to carts. From careful inquiry we
find that the men on this work are
poor and entirely destitute. Many
say they would not work if they had
five dollars or could get anything else
to do. They plod on in constant fear
of being discharged, until wearied
out and exhausted they leave or drop
out of the ranks like stragglers in the
army after long and forced march or
battle, and a fresh man steps in to
take his place and be slaughted, as it
were, and then his carcass thrown
aside.


They say for trivial causes men are
discharged. One man, being few
minutes late in the morning, was sent
home and told to come at Q o'clock,
and when he returned was docked
one-fOurth of day. Another, strug-
Cling to accomplish his task, was TAX
en- with bleeding and bled profusely.
If man fails to accomplish hislallotted
task he is discharged. Men are not
allowed to hold any conversation or
find any fault at this usage.


Such slavery has never been known
in the history of Lewiston, and never
before was possible. To-day slavery
worse than southern slavery is a
stern reality in Lewiston. The
southern master had some interest in
the welfare of the body Of his slave
he had money invested in him.
Not SO in Lewiston. The master has
an interest only in the labor of the
serf. When the labor is all out of a
man his body is thrown aside as a
a worthless corse, to be passed by un-
observed. There seems to be No i'm
mediate relief, except an appeal to
public sympathy. Every avenue of
labor is OverstOcked. To quit the job
is to become tramp or pauper.
There SENS to be no choice,
like dogs under your masters lash, or
starve. A strike only developed the
sad fact that many laborers in other
towns and cities were 80 reduced to
poverty as to be anxious to become
Lewiston slaves.


We ask. what has befallen indus
trious America Why are We
slaves! Why has tho factory stop
ped! And why have the workmen
become tramps! Why has the indus
try Of the nation ceased, and the song
of the workmen died away! Why no
honest precepts Of liberty and equal
rights from the pulpit. and no prayers
from the clergy for reform! Why no
laws from congress that will revive
the dying energies Of onr countrys
It is because . horde Of money-gods
flched the credit Of the nation. stole
the money of industry and on the na-
tions bonds built upa bank monopoly
that absorbs the products Of labor and
makes the producers slaves. This
tribute to Shylock has made the m.
tion poor. The only freedom from
this bondage il in the ballot. The
slaves must quietly submit until the
polls are opsn. and then strike for
freedom and equal rights; then strike
down thoss banking anA bsoded IT,