The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-02
The Platform OF the Labor Party in
California.

II seems TO be certain that no single party
will command majority in the California
Constitutional Convention. Notwithstand-
ing the success OF the Workingmen in San
francisco, which turns out to be much more
sweeping than was at first reported, they
will have to content themselves with a
handsome plurality over the so-called
Non-Partisan party. The balance Of power
In the Convention will probably be
held by the sixteen delegates elected on
straight tickets by those remnants OF the
old parties which repealed the fusion urged
by the banks and mining companies, and ac-
cepted by the old political hacks. 1t be-
comes interesting. therefore, to learn what
principles and policy are avowed by the
promoters Of the labor movement, since ex-
trome measures ON the part Of KEARNEY and
his friends would be pretty sure to repel the
handful OF straight Democrats and Rcpub-
licans 10 the conservative side.
Al Il mass meeting held in san Francisco
soon after the election. KEARSEY seems TO
have been sufficiently unboastful and dis
Greet Tho organizer Of the labor party was
careful to impress upon the minds Of his
followers that nothing substantial had been
accomplished. He hoped to control the
tbINfUllOll. nut INC new 0llNllNullDl 10 It
there prepared would not be submitted to
the people for ratification before May, 1879.
Only on the adoption ~ n new organic law
would the present Governor Of the State,
Mayor Of san Francisco and all the existing
judiciary be legislated out Of Office. and
with the election of their successors work
would begin in earnest. Meanwhile KEAR-
NEY refers with not unrea sOnabe exultation
20 fact, admitted by the newspapers, that
the late election was carried by the work
ingmcn in San Francisco with an expendl-
ture on their part ot less than $500. lie
goes on 10 warn his friends that the hour OF
temptation is Mt hand. and that It behooves
them to strengthen and extend their orgaDi-
zHtion. But in the speech of this so-called
Communist pronounced on the morrow of
victory there is really nothing Of a disrup-
tive or incendiary character.
Let us turn to the platform put forward
by the labor party prior TO the election, and
soc how far support was bought by cX-
travagant promises and crack-bralned
schemes Strange to say, among the prin-
ripcs asserted there are few that have
not repeatedly been sanctioned in the pub
lisAed declarations Of the old political par
ties. We may cite for instance, as objects
upon which All parties in California purport
To toe SUB tdntially agreed, the prescription
pl Chinese labor the limitation OF land own
er-hip. tho taxation Of bonds and mortgages,
Tho abolition Of official compensation by
ices, and the punishment of malieasance In
Office, or Of Legislative corruption as a fell
ony. Thus far there would seem TO be moth
ng revolutionary on ovon novel In KEAR-
NEY's principles. Indeed, they were dupli-
Gated, according TO the san Francisco CuU
and all the reforms demanded, with one ex-
ception, were pledged in the platform framed
by capitalists for their Non-Partisan on
Fusion party. The only omission. we are
told was clause in the labor manifesto
which while it stipulated that vested rights
In property should be respected, asked that
land monopolies might be restricted and
for the future prohibited.
What then, was the fight about, if tn,
principles involved were so nearly identi
calf Tho contest really turned upon I'll,
question whether professions were at last
to be carried out whether pledges broker
again and again lay each Of the old paltios
could now be accepted with fresh conlilrnc,
merely because the resources and machine
AIRY Of both had been combined in one
Sourcd by repeated trcachrry and dscomN
ture, the wOrkingmon 81 the large citlo.
and throughout part 81 the rural district,
deserted their old political leaders
and. according to the san Francsc,
Chr0nictc, they were not alone in theil
uprising In tho richest precincts OF that
city. where a solid vote was anticipated fol
tie Concrete candidates, tho workingmen