Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1902 — UNION LABOR'S POWER [ARTICLE]

UNION LABOR'S POWER

Shown in Three Notable Incidents of the Recent Elections in the StatesWHAT HAPPENED IN OALIPORNTA Also That Gronndewell in] “Ithody” —Administration Indicates Its View of “Lilly White” Republicanism. Washington, Nov. 11.—'The important part played by the labor vote in many sections of the country in the recent election has not failed to impress itself on the minds of students of politics here. The workingmen’s vote in many places puzzled both political parties, but indicates strongly that organized labor is beginning to use the ballot as a means of immense power. Taking last Tuesday’s results as u sample, the union§ in the future may nominate their own candidates and act indedendently of the old patties or may throw their votes to men who believe in their policies and demands. Union Labor Vote In California. In at least three sections of the country the labor vote, cast almost as a body, cut a most important figure. In many other places it wielded an indirect influence that amounted to a great deal. In California the union labor vote overturned two Republican representatives and put union men In their places. Representatives Kahu and Loud both are to be succeeded by union men who received the Democratic nominations. The union labor vote came near electing a Democratic governor in California, the Republican nominee receiving a majority of only a few thousand. The ‘same interests some time ago elected one of their number, a musician, mayor of Ran Francisco. C»m of the Rhode Island Stamp. A Btreet cor strike at Providence, R. 1., last summer caused the election of a Democratic member of congress and a Democratic governor and lieutenant governor in Rhode Island. The Democratic congressional committee had made no pretense of claiming a district in Rhode Island, and not even optimistic Democratic prophets attempted to claim the election of a Democratic governor in a rock-ribbed Republican state like Rhode Island. The change was brought about by the labor vote. Upheaval In • Pennsylvania District. In the Eleventh Pennsylvania district tho United Mine Workers took a hand and surprised leaders of both parties. The miners elected George Howell, a Democrat, to congress from that district in place of Representative Connell, the millionaire coal operator, who has represented the district for years. The miners not onlyelected Iloweil,' but chose three members of the lower house of the legislature, defeating Republican nominees by unexpected majorities. REPUBLICANISM IN TUB SOUTH “Lilly-White” Business Not Approved by the Washington Leaders. Washington, Nov. 11. j— Julian H. Bingham, collector of internal revenue for the district of Alabama, lias been removed from his office and Joseph O. Thompson appointed to succeed him. The change was made us a result of a political condition which recently arose in Alabama. Colored Republicans were excluded from participation in the state convention,and Collector Bingham was held responsible, at least In a measure, for their exclusion. Postmaster General Payne visited • the White House yesterday, and as lie left the executive offices he made public the following statement defining the reasons for the change: "The cirnnge tn the office of collector of internal revenue for tho district of Alatmma in nowise reflects upon the Integrity -or ability of Mr. Bingham. It is one of those things which occasionally htippeu in politics. The position taken by the Republicans of Alabama at their recent state convention, as understood by the Republicans of the north, is looked upon br a perversion of the fundamental principles of the Republican party, and Mr. Bingham is in a measure held responsible for that action: hence the change. “Neither the administration nor the Republican party of the north will stand for the exclusion of nny section of our people by reason of their race or color, when, in other respects, such persons have complied with the laws nnd are eligible under the law to | full nnd participation in political ’ action nnd are of a high standard of I personal character.”