Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1888 — THE DOLLAR-A-DAY LIE. [ARTICLE]

THE DOLLAR-A-DAY LIE.

ORIGIN, HISTORY AND REFUTATION OF THE SCANDALOUS FALSEHOOD. Invented nod Circulated toy Gpuld and Other Democrats to Defeat Gen. Harrison—A. Complete Refutation. We piihTlsli BeTqw an abstract of a circular prepared by tire Indiana State Rep blican state committee which presents the origin, history arid refutation ' df Ihe~UCflhdatoiis falsehoods which Jiave been invented and circulated by the Democratic press of the mighty interesting reading, and' we commend it to all readers, especially workingmen. HOW THE QOLLAE:A-DAY UK STARTED. Very soon aftef the nomination of Gen. Harrisjon at Chicago, it was reposed that he bad said “a dollar a day was enough for any workingman. This was soon followed with other alleged statements such as “I would force you to work by the bayonet,” “I would shoot you down, like iloga.” The time apd place that these statements were made were not (riven/and. "with the 'exception of one, Edwin F. Gould, known as an unreliable, half crazy agitator, no one could be found willing to father them. But in the absence’ of any true story which could work injury to the Republican candidate for president, the Democratic press, following the lead of The Indianapolis Sentinel, quickly caught up the “dollar-a-day” lie and published it broadcast throughout the country.

A LARGE REWARD OFFERED. For the purpose of Speedily and thoroughly refuting the falsehoods, the friends of Gen. Harrison used every effort to ascertain who invented the lies and when and where the alleged statements were made. To this end The Indianapolis Journal offered a reward of SI,OOO to anybody who would produce the proof that Gen. Harrison ever said “a dollar a day was enough for any workingman,” and SI,OOO more to anv one pro ving that he said “if he (Harrison) was in power he would put meq to work at the point of the bayonet, and if that would not do he would shoot, them down like dogs.”

A TOW STATEMENTS BUT NO AFFIDAVITS. But this generous reward brought no particulars or proof until the 29th day of August—more than, two months after Gen. Harrison’s nomination—wiien Leon F. Bailey, of Indianapolis, a Democratic ward-worker and associate of .Sim Coy, uo»- in the penitentiary for tally-sheet forgeries, imide a speech in the course of which he claimed that the “dollar-a-day,” “bayonet,” apd other alleged statements were made during the railroad strike of 1877 at a conference between the striking emp loves and a citizens’ committee of which Gen. Harrison was a member. Mr. Bailey did not claim that he was present an’d'heard these statements, but read from the written statements of several persons who claimed to be present and to nave heard Gen. Harrison. These statements varied in phraseology and many of them did not fully support the assertions of Bailey. 7 Thereupon The Indianapolis Journal, continuing its offer of a reward, called upon J!r. Bailey..do nut his.statements in the form of atJid»*»>:. This lie entirely failed to do.

A SINGUJ? AFFIDAVIT PRODUCED. A month later, Sept. 26th, The ludianapofis Sentinel published a letter, signed by Edwin F. Gould, which contained an affidavit of one John G. Schwartz, which set out that in July, 1877, be was in the employ of the C., C., 0. & I. (Bee Line) railroad; that lie was present at the conference and heard Gen. Harrison say “that the men (strikers) ought toreturn to their work; that the railroads could not afford to pay higher wages; that the wages were enough: and that one dollar a day was enough for any workingman; that —he himself could live on that amount.” TIIE LIES ENLARGED. About the time Schwarts affidavit was published, itwasdisccovered that the Local Assembly 263, „ Knights of Labor, at Canisteo, N. Y., had issued a circular containing a letter, also by Edday” and “bayonet” lies were not only reiterated, but additional falsehoods added, to the effect that Gen. Harrison had stated that “workingmen only ate two meals a day and a cold Ivinch at noon;” that “their families seldom ate awarm dinner;” that the food of a work ingman was usually very coarse;” that “sowbelly was the meat usually purchased;” that “were I governor of Indiana or sheriff of Marion county, I would force you back to work if I bad to wade in blood up to the tips of my fingers.” A DENIAL UNNECESSARY. From what lias been said, it will be observed that the “dollar-a-day” and other lies are based upon the statements, of. only one pi rson who had the courage or audacity to put his assertions into an affidavit. • When it is remembered that 200 or 300 persons were present at the conference when it is alleged -that these statements were made; that Bailey and Gould, the only persons assuming to publish them, were not present at that ebnference; that it took Bailey two montlis to find less than a dozen persons who could be induced to make unsworq statements, which only partially corroborated his charges; and that three months elapsed before a single man could be found to make oath to them, it would seem entirely unnecessary to publish a denial of such silly, ridiculous falsehoods. THE PLAIN TRUTH. But in obedience to numerous requests, and for the purpose of showing how wicked and malicious are the means employed by the managers of the Democratic party who have thus eihployed such men as Leon F. Bailey and Edwin F. Gould, affidavits have been prepared of which we give the substance. WHAT HARRISON DID SAY. Dr. Patrick H. Jameson is one of the best known physicians in Indianapolis. It was he who, during the strike of 1877, suggested the formation of a citizens’ committee. He did bo in the interest of striking railroad, employes as well as of law and order. He was present at all meetings, heard that aU Gen. Harrison Baid, and makes the foUowing sworn statement: - State of Indiana, Marion County, 88.: Patrick H. Jameson, being, duly sworn, on liis oath says; I am a resident of Indianapolis and have practiced medicine in the said city for tne past forty years. — During the railroad strike of 1877 a committee of cltiseifc was appointed, of which l was a member, few the purpose of cogfofing with the grievance con*'

mittee of the strikers. Gen. Pprrispu was a mehiber of that couubjrittep and in full atyord with its purpose qf conciliation. I was present and took part at all the meetings l«etween the committee and Strikers. The strikpra claimed that their wages wore not only too low, but that the time given was' insufficient. In this matter every member of the comjpittee present, including Gen. Harrison, fully agreed with the strikers. Gen. Harrison was one of the first meij to break the silence after the strikers' had presented their grievances, He said to them in -substance*. —————; — : —'*“ * “Gentlemen—Your statfqient convinces me that you are reviving less than you should; vour wages 'are not % Qnly low but your time is shorf;, and we as a committee, when we meet your «®nployess, will do what we can to have your wages advanced and see that you have longer time given you.” >•’, I heard all that Gen. Harrison said. I sat very near to him, and there were in the room rtt the time, as nearly as I can calculate, between 200 and 300 persons. Gen. Harrisort did not say to any man present, nor did he say of the strikers as a bpdv that they were law-breakere or that $1 a day whs enough for any workingman, or that he would force them to workwitk the bayonet, nor did he say, “Were I governor of Indiana or sheriff of Djarion county I would force you back to work if I had to wade through blood to the tips of my fingers,” nor that “I would snoot you down like dogs,” nor did he use any word or expression that could be construed to mean any such thing. He talked very kindly, and wished that justice might he done to all. P. H. Jameson.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 9th day of October, 1888. [Seal.] Robert B. Keith, Notary public in and for said county. two veterans heard from. Gen. R. S. Foster and Gen. F. Kuepler, well-known to every citizen of Indiana as distinguished soldiers in the war of the rebellion, have since the war been prominently identified with the interests of tl\e . state. These gentlemen heard Gen. Harrison’s remarks and make a sworn statement corroborating Dr. Jameson, GEN. HARRISON IN FAVQR OF HIGHER Wages. , /

The sheriff of Monroe county and the one charged with keeping t]ie peace during the great railroad strike of 1877 was Mr.. John T. Pressley. Fpr fourteen years prior to his election as sheriff, in 1876, he had been a fireman and an engineer on the Cleveland, Columbus, jpincinnati & Indianapolis railroad. He was also a prominent member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. His interests and sympathies were largely with the strikers, many of whom were his personal friends. iHis duties as sheriff called him also* into close relations with the governor, mayor and citizens’ committee. He is thus qualified to speak as a friend of the strikers and as an associate of the officers of the law and the representative of the people of Indianapolis. He also corroborates Dr. Jameson and adds;

“During the strike Gen.. Harrison frequently advised with me as sheriff, “stating over and over again that tht), “business bf railroad men was hazardous and hard, and that he was anxious “not only to have all differences adjusted, but that the men should he “amply paid, and hoped they might “receive a speedy advance in their “wages, In my opinion the Strikers “were indebted more to Gen. Harrison “than to any other man for the prompt “and amicable adjustment of their differences with their employers. - John T. Pressley. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 9th day of October, 1888. [Seal.] Robert B. Keith, •. Notary public in and for said county. WHAT REPRESENTATIVE STRIKERS SAY. Then follow several sworn statements made by strikers who represented their -hr.et.hran-on- the committee of grievances. They were present at the conference and testify that Bailey and Gould and the Democratic press are circulating falsehoods. These also corroborate Dr. Jameson’s statement in every respect. OTHER PERSONS PRESENT also make their affidavits, but as all of them are of similar import, we do notr give place to them. In reply to that portion of the Gould letter which treats of the part taken in tho strike by GEN. HARRISON’S COMPANY, twentv-one members of the company, all of them prominent in professional and business pursuits in Indianapolis, join in an affidavit of which the following is an abstract: ~~ ~v~~~—^—----State of Indiana, Marion County, ss.: “That we were members of a militia com pan}’ commanded by Gen. Harrison; that Gen. Harrison did not ’organize the company,’ ‘arm them with the latest improved Springfield rifles’ or any othey character of arms ‘and drill and train them in their duty,’ as stated in said Gould letter: that he did not ‘start with the company.down to the depot without authority, threatening to start the trains «lo running by force:' that the governor did not ‘Load him off, drive him back, or threaten if he did not behave he would take his guns away from him:' that the mayor did not ‘stand by and say he would not allow such work as Harrison advocated while he was mayor;’- that Harrison did not ‘turn to his men and say we'll shoot the dogs anyhow; hanging is too good for them.' as stated in said Gould letter; that an/ and all statements made in said Gould letter respecting the company Gen. Harrison commanded and the remarks of Gen. Harririson when with his company are maliciously false in every particular. GOULD S LETTER REPUDIATED BY KNIGHTS

OF labor. As stated above, Edwin F. Gould addressed a letter to local assembly, No. 263 Knights of Labor. Canisteo, N. Y. He used tne seal of district assembly 106. Knights of Labor, and signed the letter as recording secretary of the same. On the morning after the letter Was published in The Indianapolis News (Oct. 6), Hon. James A. Wildman and Mr. Charles P. Watson make oath to the fact that they called together upon Will- ] iam Kleinsmith, master workman of district assembly No. 106, who then and there repudiated the Gould letter, stating that he had never seen a copy of said letter; that it had never been laid before the assembly; that the seal was used without authority, and that at the first meeting of the" assembly, on the third Fridav evening in October, he should bring the matter up for action. GOULD DENIES THE LIE HIMSELF, Buriy In August last, before Gould had gone into the pay and employ of the Democratic committee, he stated In the hearing of half a doaen gentlemen that he “cudn t beliveUvu. Harrison eVei

“wifi ‘sl a day was enough for amp, “ workingman/ for nobodjr. but a fool “would make such a statement, and “Gen. Harrison was no fool,” Six affidavits by as inafty reputable citizens of Indianapolis prove tins. The circular adds that prany more affidavits were prepared, but those published seqmed to be all that were needed. Such a showing ought forevqp to end these lies. - >' ''