lol......They misspelled his name.
Swinton developed an abhorrence for slavery while living in
Charleston,
South Carolina. He moved to
New York City in 1857 where he began the studying medicine. Swinton also worked as a freelance journalist and in 1860 he was appointed as head of the editorial staff of the
New York Times by
Henry J. Raymond. Swinton held liberal views and was a strong supporter of
Abraham Lincoln and wrote extensively about the
American Civil War. Swinton left the newspaper in 1870.
Swinton took a keen interest in the growing
trade union movement and according to one source, over the next few years he "was busy as an orator and writer, championing the cause of the poor and oppressed". In 1874 he was selected by the Industrial Political Party to be the candidate for
Mayor of New York City. Swinton received very few votes but he later claimed that it was part of a propaganda campaign rather than a serious attempt to win power.
In 1875 Swinton found work with the
New York Sun. He continued to campaign for the rights of organized labour and in 1877 gave his support to the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman in their fight for better pay and conditions.
Many viewed him as a nut - he was far to liberal for the establishment.