Quit the Union or be Fired

The U.S. Senate campaign in 1894 featured long speeches by candidates at town gatherings across Nebraska. John Thurston presents his case for defending American interests first by contrasting McKinley as the American with Democratic internationalism.

QUIT THE UNION OR BE FIRED

Notice Has Been Served on the Men by the Reading Road .

APPEAL TO THE COURT FOR PROTECTION

United States Court Asked to Pass on the Rights of the Company Over the Men—Brotherhood of Trainmen Affected.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 8—The case of the Reading railroad employes who are members of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, against the receivers of the company, which was brought before the United States circuit court on Friday, was continued today before Judge Dallas, and after a brief argument, was postponed until Friday of this week.

Associated with William P. Montague, counsel for the employes, who presented the case last week, are W. A. Day of Washington. Martin McAlpin of Kansas City and Francis Rawle of this city.

Counsel for the employes presented a petition signed by Stephen E. Wilkinson of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen of Illinois, Thomas McDermott and George H. Rupple as employes of the Reading Railroad company. The petition sets forth that there are 130 members of the organization, a majority of whom have been members seven years. On the 15th August of this year the members were notified by Superintendent Sweigard that they would have to renounce their allegiance to the Brotherhood of Trainmen before October 8 or be discharged from the employ of the company. Later, on September 3, they were further notified that they must surrender the charter of the organization or every member would be dismissed. Superintendent Sweigard stated that he was simply carrying out the wishes of his superiors.

Counsel for the Reading company, in answer to the petition, stated that on October 1, 1894, George H. Rupple made application for a position, and in answer to the customary questions, denied being a member of any labor organization, which was willful falsehood. Counsel for the employes then dropped Rupple's case. In answer to McDermott, counsel for the company stated they would retain him in the employ of the Reading company. Counsel for the employes then asked Judge Dallas to allow the case to remain in statu quo and instruct the receivers not to dismiss any employes until the case was brought up on Friday. But this Judge Dallas refused to do. An intervening petition signed by Levi Hicks, another employe, was then read, and counsel for the Reading company asked that they be given until Friday to answer, which was granted by the judge, though bitterly opposed by counsel for the employes. In Wilkinson's case Judge Dallas decided that he being a resident of Illinois, had not standing in the court, and the petition of the three men was thus disposed of. The petition to be heard Friday is that of Hicks.

In addressing the court in behalf of the employes, Attorney Rawle stated that it was a criminal offense in New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, California and other states to discharge men who were members of labor organizations without just cause. He also referred to Judge Caldwell's opinion in the Union Pacific labor troubles, and Judge Harlan's recent decision in the Northern Pacific strike in favor of the right of workingmen to strike.

REPUBLICANS RALLY AT SIDNEY.

Thurston and Other Orators Entertain a Large Crowd.

SIDNEY, Neb., Oct. 8—(Special Telegram.) —Matt Daugherty entertained a large audience this afternoon in an hour and a half discussion of all the important issues of the campaign. The tariff, irrigation, labor and silver questions were ably handled. He roasted Congressman Kem in good style. He predicted a republican majority in the next congress and fullest confidence in his own election.

Colonel Akers, senatorial candidate, delivered an excellent exhortation upon state issues.

Hon. John M. Thurston followed in a half hour address, dwelling upon the reception and banquet given to Wilson in England recently when at the same time Governor McKinley was addressing his own countrymen on American soil in support of American industries.

A grand torchlight procession took place with nearly 400 in line, and fireworks were displayed on the whole route. Most all the business houses were illuminated.

Judge and Mrs. Thurston were serenaded by the cornet and brass bands and then all repaired to the skating rink, which was handsomely decorated for the occasion. Flags and bunting, intermingled with natural flowers, gave the interior of the hall a lovely appearance. As Judge Thurston entered the building and ascended the speaker's platform a great shout of welcome went up from hundreds of throats. Women waved their handkerchiefs and men howled and those who were unable to gain admission took up the cry and re-[?] it through the streets. After a song by the Sidney Glee club, Judge Pease, chairman of the republican county central committee, introduced the orator. It was fully five minutes before he was able to proceed. His dissertation upon the tariff was one of the clearest expositions which has ever been uttered here. He spoke of the business men organizing in Omaha to defeat Judge Holcomb and the entire populist ticket. He urged his hearers to support the republican ticket. He spoke two hours.

Matt Daugherty again followed with a short address.