The Washington critic., 1886-10-07
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER :, 1886
LABOR AND POLITICS,


The Knights of Labor have an
nounced an intention to take part In
political affairs, and It is probable that
the Richmond Assembly will give its
sanction to such course 1t is not
the intention, according to the views
most generally expressed, to attempt
at present the formation of a national
party. The plan which finds greatest
approval is that the knights and
Trades Unionists shall nominate candi-
dates for local offices, or for Congress,
even, wherever they think they have
u reasonable prospect for success, but
that wherever it appears clear that
they cannot elect men OF their own
choice, they will support those candi.
dates who make the faircst pledges to
the labor cause, regardless of the party
to which they belong.
Upon one point the labor papers and
the organizations which they represent
are unanimous in opinion. Politicians
are to be rigidly excluded from parlici.
patton in the new movement. They
are to have no voice in the working.
mems councils, aud If candidates for
office, they will be opposed by the
labor vote. 1t was in view of the
probability that organized labor might
take part in political affairs that law
yers were debarrcd membership in the
Knights Of Labor, since the ambition
of the legal profession drifts strongly
towards the halls of legislation.
This resolve may be commended, If
its purpose be to keep men who make
a living by politics from gaining in.
iluence in labor organizations, and from
climbing into office by the labor vote.
But man may be politician without
making politics profession. To take
deep interest in political affairs and
to be active in party work does not
necessarily imply that one has n fat
contract in view or that he is prompted
solely by selfish motives
The labor organs draw no distinction
between the professional politicianjaud
the man who is actuated by an honest
desire to aid in improving the Govern
ment. If the latter has been in any
way conspicuous for party zeal he is {
politician, and he must go. Yet if sueh
men are excluded from active work in
the politics of labor, where are working.
men TO find leaders? They have no
thus far developed men who are clpa
ble of directing a political movcmen
Of magnitude. In politics as in wal
there must be commanders, discipline
and an intelligent concentration oil
energy TO the accomplishment of Il
well.defined purpose. According to
the plan mapped ont by the working.
men, they propose to so into the fight
without captains, and expect to crush
their enemies by the weight of their
columns That experiment has been
tried before, and it has never won more
than temporary success
The plain conclusion is that while
workingmen will do well to steer clear
of professional politicians, they will
also commit serious error If they re-
fuse the cooperation of men expert
enced in political affairs who have
honestly in view the public welfare.
They should not permit themselves to
be unduly alarmed by the obnoxious
epithet of politician" since it is not
seldom wrongfully applied. If they
will reflect for moment, they will see
that from among themselves they can
select few men who are competent to
lead in the contest before them. The
General Assembly now in session at
Richmond embraces the pick Of nearly
million members, yet 1t is safe to say
that even in that numerous body OF
delegates 1t would be hard to find
leaders of the experience and ability to
organize new party and place it in
line Of battle. If this be the case, they
must look elsewhere and let down some
of the bars they have put up.