Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1889 — THE SECBET BALLOT. [ARTICLE]

THE SECBET BALLOT.

Mr. Powderly, in the Journal of United Labor, says that most of the labor legislation of the few years is not worth the paper it is written on. The real remedy for labor’s wrongs, he says, is to be found in a judicious use of the ballot. He adds: We cannot compel obedience to the constitution of Pennsylvania while men canbs brow-beaten at the polls, and compelled to vote as the corporation boss, the political boss, and he rum boss dictate. What we require is a secret ballot, one by which the man, who is partially free, may become in truth a free m an. How many of the citizens of Pennsylvania will raise their hands with mine when they read this, and pledge themselves not to ask for another measure of reform at the coming session of the legislature, except the passage of some such system of ballot reform as the Australian system. Mr. Powderly makes a strong, earnest plea to the K. of L. to take up this question at once and support no candidate for the legislature who will not pledge himself to vote for the passage of a ballot reform bill. He is deeply impressed with the belief that ther e can be no real labor legislation until such time are free to support such candidates as they know to be their friends,

without fear of corporation or political intimidation. The general master workman before leaving Scranton for Chicago declared that ballot reform is the great question for the people, and that the workingmen n ust secure it before they can effectually hope to resist the i a justice of law-defying corporations. There is a great deal of wisdom in what Mr. Powderly says. The workingmen of the United States have the remedy for all their grievances in their owp hands. If they do not av dl themselves of it, they have no one to blame but themselves, if they would use the ballot intelligently and judiciously, they would soon obtain all the relief that legislation or government can afford them.— Workingmen can only make the ballot effective, however, when its absolute secrecy is assured. If the workingmen of the country are wise they will act upon Mr. Powderly’s suggestion, and everys where press the dem nd for a secret ballot. The democratic party of Indiana has pissed a secret ballot law, and it gives the workingmen of the state complete protection against the intimidation and coercion that have been heretofore practiced upon them.— When similar laws are in force in every state, and not until then, labor will be in a position to assert its power at the ballot-box. A great reduction in prices this week at the Chicago Bargain House. Muslins down to 4| cents per yard. White, Check and Plaid goods—prices cut in two. Cashmeres and Henrietta Cloths 8 cents and up to 85 cents per yard; worth from 15 cents to $125 per yard. Ginghams 4 cents per yard. Calicoes 3 cents per yard. .<>>. About one hundred and fifty colors are now obtained by coal tar, which has almost supplanted vegetable and animal dyes.