Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-04-21
KANSAS CITY.
ImpOtency of Conservative Tactics.
The Same Old story.

In these times of activity among polit
zeal parties, and especially among the
so-called labor parties, it may be inter
esting to the readers of the WoRKMEN's
ADVOCATE to review the situation in
this neighborhood.
In 1886, when SO many "labor parties
were formed all over the country,
through combination of circumstances,
Central Labor Union was organized
in this city. 1t was understood at the
beginning that it should be more of
political than economic body, and there
fore worked accordingly.
At the formation of the Union,
through the influence of the Socialists,
the platform of the New York Central
Labor Union was, after much discussion.
adopted. The minority, composed of
conservative political elements, did not
want radical platform: in fact did not
want even an Independent labor party;
but sound reason was on the side of the
majority, and they kept silent. When
ever they thought there was a chance to
bring in any of their ideas of so-called
responsibility, prohibition" etc, they
would do it, but in vain. The platform
of the United Labor Party was adopted
against the protest of this element.
With very little difficulty the Central
Labor Union worked along until the
spring of 1887, when we took part in the
local election. About thirty five differ
ent organizations wnre at that time rep
resented in the Central Labor Union.
The Socialists had the leadership of the
party, organized all the Wards, worked
in the committees and did the public
speaking for the Wards, and the whole
party. we made laws which made out
siders stand aloof from us, and prevented
general corruption. In making these
rules we had hard fight with our con
sentative brethren but we succeeded.
and kept the party straight. Then we
went to work earnestly. With the plat
form of the Central Labor Union in
hand, we made socialistic speeches all
over town, and our good politicians fol-
lowed in the same line much to our
amusement. They saw that the public
liked our way of talking and could do
nothing but follow. What was the re-
suit at the polls: Eleven thousand
voters were registered; our ticket polled
two thousaul votes. We thought this
an immense result for the first time; the
democratic party was denoraliZed,
for most of our votes came from that
party. After such result, the conserv-
alive wing said to themselves, if we have
such power at the polls with these
damned Socialists in it, we will get still
more if we can get them out. These
bright spirits still believe that the word
socialist" is obnoxious to the masses,
i'm which they are much mistaken.
Shortly after the election they tried to
set aside the platform of the Central La
Dor Union and adopt the Cincinnati
platform, in the face of such a result.
They also brought forth a resolution de-
claring that the Central Labor Union is
a conservative body, and worthy of the
support of the middle class and business
people. .'Respectability was their hob
by, and how nice it would be to have
the Socialists out, and walk into the City
Hall by the aid of the business people.
How innocent those dear brethren are,
concerning the labor movement. But
the majority could not see it that way,
and again they saw there was nothing
left for them except to pull the wires"
in different way. The delegates who