Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-05
LABOR IN POLITICS.

With the dlSlnteSratiOn no" SohiS VI
among the Knights of Labor, as reported
from Chicago. that organization seems
to be in bad way. Unless the condl-
ton as stated is very much exaggerated
the knights, as a body offensive and de-
fensive, will soon be numbered with the
things that were. Two years ago 1t was
a formidable movement and could have
eXerted strong influence in national
political campaign, but since that time
since the Richmond general assembly
meeting, the organization has been gong
to pieces, and the failure of the two lead
ing factions, the United Labor and the
Union Labor, to fuse at Cincinnati few
days ago the labor ticket or tickets VIII
cut very small figure in the pending
NATIONAL campaign. For the good OF the
real laboring people OF the country TINS
is. perhaps, fortunate thing. AS an M
dependent movement the labor organlza-
tons of the country, if united in support
of candidates of their own, could not
hope to accomplish any substantial good
for the cause of labor, but might succeed
in defeating the main objects for which
they should strive, that is, the mann
tenance of wage rates and other material
interests, by contributing to the success
of the Democratic party, which might
be done, as was shown by the last state
election in New York.
If not bound, therefore, by an indie
pendent party movement the labor vote
of the country would naturally go to
the support of the party that
has defended and protected it at all
times and under all circumstances and IS
today standing between it and impend-
ing ruin to its best interests. The inteill-
gent labor of the country appreciates the
political situation as it is, and it would
be to accuse it of the height Of folly to
suspect that it would deliberately join
hands with the party that is intently en-
gagged III tearing down the defensive pro-
lection that has hedged it about for
twenty-five years, and thus place the
wage earners Of this country on level
with the unfortunates of other and over
crowded countries.
The break up of the great labor organ
ization, the Knights of labor, is the re-
suit mainly of the intriguing Of dema-
gogues, political and otherwise, who, 1t
seems. the organization was unable, or
did not try, to shake Off; men OF the
George and McGlynn order, whose prime
object is Standardization if not personal
aggrandizement. The greenback and
grange movements, particularly the
latter, worthy enough i'll its
original purpose, went to pieces
from the same cause and in the same
! way. 1t is not only the province but the
duty of the political parties to deal with
! the great economic questions of the day,
but one involving as much as is concen-
tered in the labor problem cannot be
definitely adjusted in day nor a year,
even by the wisest craftsmanship; it
takes time and study; and while it is
! but natural that those Immediately af-
| fected should become FESTIVE at seeming
Ay unnecessary delay. proper consider
alton and wise decision cannot be facih
itated by independent outside effort, but
are often rather retarded thereby. In
short, if the labor OF the country, organ
lied or unorganized, would serve its own
best interests, let it rally to the support
of the Republican party and with an
overwhelming majority place it in posi-
ton TO do what is desired by the labor of
the country and what it is equally desir-
Gus to do.