Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1908 — IN THE COAL DISTRICT [ARTICLE]

IN THE COAL DISTRICT

Both Political Leaders Talk for a Day to the Same Classes of Citizens. BBYAH TOUBS WE3T VIBGIBIA Bees Roosevelt's Letter and Refers to It nf One Speech. Hits the “Full Dinner Pail" Cry of 10OO—Taft's.First Day in Indiana Devoted Largely to the Injunction.

Hinton, W. Va., Oct. 23.—Early yesterday morning William J. Bryan was handed a copy of a newspaper containing President Roosevelt’s criticism of himself and Samuel Gompers concerning their position-with respect to the labor question. Shortly afterwards ba began the preparation of a reply, but his time was so taken up during the day that be found it impossible to complete It. At St. Albans he referred to the president’s letter, and •aid: “The Republican platform does not promise a reconciliation of labor and capital. In fact, they now recognise that the antagonistic position on labor organisations has lost tfiein the labor vote, and they recognize that so fully that they have entered upon the denunciation of the man who stands at the head of the labor organizations, and are trying to show' that he does not represent the men who elected him' to office and who have been indorsing the position that he has taken in this campaign.’’

Speaks to Farmers and Miners. Bryan was enthusiastically received everywhere on the “hike” In which he carried his warfare into West Virginia. The line of travel took him through the Ohio, Kanawha and New River Valleys, and he was afforded an opportunity to speak to many farmers and miners. Ilavihg had but four and a half hours’ rest following his campaign In Ol io he was out on the platform as ea ly as "-o’clock telling the farmers that in his opinion they should “vote the Democratic ticket. The Republican party had no policy to offer which would bring them relief, he said. Gets Into the Coal District.

Passing on into the coal district he devoted muoh attention to the labor question. He repeated his warning to laboring men not to be coerced by their' employers into voting against their wills. The most notable demonstration accorded him was at Charleston. He was escorted through the streets by a number of uniformed marching clubs, headed by bands, while almost-every building was decorated with flags and bunting. From the moment he left his special train across the river until he reached the platform on a lot across from the court house he was widly cheered. His speech wa«,,devoted to a general discussion of the issues of the campaign.

Women Wave Their Aprons. At Thurmond he got a rousing reception. A picturesque feature of the stop there was the erection of a grandstand up the side of a mountain, having a background nt an immense banner with a portrait of the candidate over which were the words: “Shall the People Rule?” The people cheered vociferously his almost every utterance. He spoke df-the fact that in most of the Industrial and mining centers he had visited or passed be noticed wornen standing along, the streets waving their aprons. “I am of the opinion.” he said, “that If I don’t go In on a tidal wave this time. I surely will on an apron wave.” The remark was loudly cheered.

Refers to the “Full Dinner Pail." At Thurmond Bryan referred to the "full dinner pail” cry of the Republlcansin 1900. and wanted to know where it was this year. He referred to the report that the New York Central railway had notified its employes that Bryan’s election meant a wage reduction and Taft’s election good wages and said: “Now, if any man attempts to coerce you. I want to suggest a method of meeting it. You make him give bond as to how you are going to get your share of the good times, and how long it will last. If they want you to sell your birthright for a mess of pottage vo-i be sure that von g«* the nottago before you give up your birthright” Bryan left here for New York at 10:35 p. m.