The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-29
A SERIOUS MATTER.

This evening there will be assembled
in convention delegates representing the
industrial element of the BODY polite of
Arapahoe county. This body of men
have confded to them a business of
the most important character, and,
indeed, will the convention be a
serious matter.
The thinkers among the working.class
have slowly, but finally and positively
come to the conclusion that if they ever
hope to be benefited through the ballot
it must not and cannot be by standing
back and crying at the heels of the old
parties Reform !" phrase worn thread
bare as the by-word of foul-mouthed,
dishonest politicians. If the working
men are to achieve victory and their
emancipation with their votes, they
must cease to cast them at the dictation
of party bosses; they must make up
their minds to support measures, and
not parties and their tools.
While it seems foolish to hope for any
benefit through the ballot, in the face
of past failures, l am yet willing to ad-
NIT that it is possible if the industrial
classes will but unite, snatch the scales
from their eyes, and everyone do their
duty. There are hundreds of good men
in this city who, of my own personal
knowledge, I can answer for standing in
just that position.
Now, if anything is to be done through
the ballot, it must be done quickly and
efectually. The next legislative bodies
elected throughout the nation must be
composed of honest men, who will
without moments delay, turn the in
stitutions of national, state and munich
pal governments upside down, inside
out and end for end. To accomplish
this it is necessary that organization be
prompt and thorough. And now we get
down to this evenings convention.
l know some shaIlow.hea will ask,
What has this falls election to do with
legislation ?" 1t has everything to do
with it. five do not organize and strike
for reform in the counties-yes and
even in the precincts-we will not in
national or state matters; on the same
principle that if we do not do our duty
as individuals we cannot expect any
thing as a whole. Therefore, again l
say, the convention of this evening has
serious matters to consider. If the action
of the convention is such as to rally to
its support the industrial classes and all
good people, one year from this fall the
burial service may be read over the re-
mains of the foul political rings of Arap-
ahoe county and the rotten things be
buried deep.
If the convention is only to secure
official positions for few prominent or
ambitious men-in or out of the ranks
or to capture share of the spoils of a
political campaign, then it had better be
adjourned Immediately after it is called
to order. But if good men are chosen as
the standard-bearers of the new party
without reference to their past political
prestige or the present length of their
pocket-books, then there is no telling
how much of good may be inaugurated
The present movement is headed by
men who have the welfare of the people
at heart, and if their counsels prevail
there will be few blunders. There are
probably not more than half dozen =
if any-who will he members of the
convention, but what were honest in the
work, but care should be exercised in all
the deliberationsapf the convention, and
sharp lookout kept for the man with
an az to grind.
/ fesl hopeful that honesty and wis
dom will guide the convention Alright
and there for the present let the matter
stand.