The examiner., 1886-01-23
POLITICAL ACTION YS. K. OF L.

us
 As Defined by Genera. Secretary Farmer.
 We would like to see it undertaken to be proved that any One o1 .he various kinds Of ~rong anu inJus tice of whlch Labor is tue legislation, either of the presen day or the past ages; the impress of which is stamped upon our modern economic system, ana has shaped it after lne fashion of those Darbarlc Lays when the ruling fow lived by the robDlng of the ens-aved many.
 Legislation contl oils the currency-the money Of the country, which affects the intelesIs of labor and business more than ali other causes combined, and it has been managed chiefly in a way 10 subordinate all industry to capital, and 10 facilitate the robbing Of the producing classes. These classes are also robbed of half the avails of their labor, and their enterprise made companies, all subject to legislation.
 It influences our education, religion, morality, and even our health. Govern ment controls our property, our industry and every right as human beings. As cotemporary says, ''rhe politics of country has more to do with shaping the social, moral, and financial condition of it's people, than original sin, moral depravity, or all the appliances of religion, literature, and science, united"
 Then, when everything that affects US for good or evil, depends more or less upon politics is governmental is worse than folly, it is a criminal neglect of duty for any well-meaning, intelligent man to withdraw himself from the political field.
 As all the ills of which labor justly com plains are principally due to unjust legisla- ton or political measures, they can be re- dressed only by political action. The op- preston that grinds down labor has been instituted and sustained through the polit- ical combination and cooperation of the oppressors, and it is only by the same con- bination and cooperation of the working men that they can be permanently relieved. Solong as enemies can keep them divided politically, or neutral, they are powerless and the politicians will snap their fingers at them and their complaints. But just as soon as there is prospect of united polit- ical action by the labor unions, the number of enthusiastic friends that spring up is perfectly marvellous. Press and politician vie with each other in expressions of regard for the interests of labor. Even the pulpit, usually ranged on the side that promises success comes to the defence of labor.
 In view of all this we were somewhat surprised at the attitude of the General Secretary of the K. of l.. in opposing any united political effort of the Order as being contrary to its primary objects, such as regulating and consolidating the industrial relation of workingmen." But SO long as the relations of industry are controlled by it's foes through political action, it's friends can defend themselves only by. the same weapon. What is the utility of the Order, or it's continuity worth, while politically powerless, as it always will be while each | individual member is made as now, mere 1 ttvotfng machine,'" manipulated against his own interests. But with the Order united, and in,elligently and skillfully armed as 'sa voting machine" it would be a perfect gatling gun, and send dismay into the camp of Capital and Usury, en- trenched now so securely behind legislative enactments. A LOCKER ON. Hartford-1SS6. .--