Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-11-14
THE LABOR UNION.
Members Urged to Enter
Politics.
A PLEA FOR ORGANIZATION.
Georges Vote Gives the Labor :
ing Man Hopes of Bettering
His Condition.

| Special to the Herald bvth Associated PressI
Nsw YORK, November 1s.--The New York
Campaign Executive Committee of the Cen
trail Labor Union of this city has just issued
an address to organized labor throuRhout
the United States. After referrin ng to the
great moral victory achieved In securing
6s,ooo votes for Henry George for Mayor ana
expressing the belief that q successful
national movement may be organized, the
address says: "This campaign has shown
us that In spite of all differences and d.
visions it is possible TO unite the political
power Of labor upon platform confined to
fundamental principles. What we have
done in New York has been accomplished
In the face of greater obstacles than exist
anywhere else throughout the country. We
see that 1t is only necessary to improve our
organization here TO carry the city, and we
believe that general organization must re-
suit In the formation of national party
that will sweep the country. We call up0a
organized labor throughout the country to
form political associations in each locality
upon these principles and having in view
political action when the time for it shall
ccme. 1t Is proper that organised labor.
wherever 1t exists. should take the initiative
But 1t is our opinion, confirmed by our re-
cent experiences, that the most effective
organizations for political action are to bo
formed outside of labor associations though
AS far as possible animated and controlled
by members. In this way we may avoid
any conflict with the rules and regulations
that forbid political action on the part
Of an association primarily designed for in
dustrial purposes We may bring Into our
ranks large class now outside Of labor AZ
sociations. but whose sympathieu are thor
oughly with us, and may secure that organ
ization by election districts. which is neces
is the course we have resolved 10
adopt in this city, and we commend
a similar course to our brethen throughout
the land. 1t Is not our desire to int rfere
in any way with the labor organic atoms or
to divert any energy from their extension,
but we believe the time has come when for
the accomplishment of its pu poses labor
must ste p in the political arena and. rally
ing all of the forces that are upon its side.
wage an open war for the assertion of those
equal rights which the great charter OF
American liberty guarantees to us all, but
which both great political parties have
heretofore ignored. The difficulty which
everywhere confronts us In our efforts to
raise wages and secure leisure Ia the exist
euce of an impoverished mass, forced BY
their necessities to accept work on any
terms. Until we can lessen the intensity Of
that struggle for existence which makes 70
many men aud women ready to 90 any
hing to provide the mere nc cessities OF life
the work OF our labor associations must Do
conducted under tremendous disadvan-
tages. Men who cannot find employmeut
are everywhere the force which those who
oppose us utilize to resist our just demands.
1t il therefore necessary that we should
make war upon the great wrong which
causes poverty. The primary injustice
which makes the land on which and
from which we must all live the ex-
elusive property Of individuals and
refuses to the rest of us The right 70
live and work unless we pay blacknaif for
the privilege. We therefore ssk, you every
where, to form political associations based
upon the principles set forth in our plat
form, and through the Central Committee,
which has been appointed for that purpose,
to put yourselves in communication with
other similar associations throughout the
land. The work which we ask you to nm.
dertake is In its preliminary stsges.
namely. educational. We wish to see
formed all over the country open
associations or clubs which by means Of re-
unions, lectures, debates the dissemtna-
ton OF literature and the comparison Of
opinions. shall prepare the way for such
political union as will result IN the forma-
tion OF national party powerful enough to
rewrite the laws and carry into execution
the popular will.
By order of the Executive Committee.
[Sigued.l JOHN Nc MACKIN,
Chairman.