The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-04-19


April ., 1893.
To the Editor of The REPRESENTA-
TIVE:
the central body of the Citizens
Industrial Alliance Of Western
Pennsylvania, composed of dele
gates from all labor organizations,
independent and social clubs,
Knights of Labor, ETC., declare
that
The late action of the court as af-
fecting the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers, Switchmen's
Union, the labor organizations of
New Orleans, the clothing cutters of
New York, the tyranny manifested
in the trial of the Homestead men,
and the subserviency of the militia
warn us of an approaching crisis in
the history OF America that will ds/
termine whether the man that ca 16s
his living by the ''sweat of/his
face" shall possess the inherent
right of personal liberty, or the
bondage of the slave. The grad
ual usurpation of the functions of
government by the capitalistic
classes, has been SO imperceptible
and systematic that the great in
dustrial classes, EN- bracing every
avenue of productive enterprise,
have failed to realize their true con-
dition until their subiugation was
almost complete. We can now un
derstand the well and deep-laid
scheme of the monopolist. To en-
courage the formation of labor or
ganizations was their first step, IN d
while the workingmen were honest
ly combining for the purpose of in
creasing the efficiency of their mem
bers the capitalists were busy
attending political conventions,
debating nominations of men
who were but agents in
their employ formulating laws to
be passed in their interest, influenc-
ing the appointment or electiontof
judges who are but Corporate tools,
and eliminating their reasonable
plan by oficering the militia, large
ly, with class of men wholly sub
,servlent to their slightest demands.
They have no further use for labor
organizations now. Enthroned be-
hind the Pinkertons and the militia,
and hidden beneath the gowns of the
judiciary that construe the laws
framed in their interest, they tear
off the mask and insolently say to
the industrial classes, You have no
rights that we respect!
The attack that is now made on
our organizations is an attack on orr
ganized labor of all vocationS.
When ourorganizations are rendered.
harmless others will be assaulted
until all will be destroyed, and tn +
emplove will become as the Russia b
serf. Brothers, the Citizens Indus
trial Alliance is composed of dela-
gates from local unions of most all
classes of labor, who are banded I'd
gether for political purposes. WE
believe the only way to recover ouf
lost industrial liberty is by the int
dustrial classes combining tot
gether for independent political
action, and support only such men
and measures as will change thel
present conditions to that which
will permit us to enjoy the wealth
we create. We believe that the
mechanic, the miner and all wage
workers are the architects of ali
that is virtuous in society, and grand
and glorious in the fabric of govern
ments. BY their industry and inge-
nuity the crude materials Of nature
are formed for the use of man; by
their bravery and patriotism they
defend the home and the institu-
tions they have reared, against their
enemies.
We find, permeating every ele-
ment of society and government,
the most insidious foe that has
worked the destruction of every
nation that has ceased to make
history. Unequal laws have ever
been more fruitful of oppression
than standing armies. Unjust laws
are framed for the purpose of evok-
ing the power of armed forces to
enforce them. One of the most
vital economic questions presen-
ted to-day for the Amer
ican people to solve,
is, Whether the railroads, the tele-
graph and telephone systems shall
own the people, or the people shall
own them9 We believe that if the
government can take possession Of
a railroad system, through a re-
ceiver, and in a few months pay of
its debts and put it on a paying
basis, it is conclusive evidence that
it could own and operate it to the
best interests of the whole people.
Brothers-Bad laws must be re-
pealed, and corrupt Judges dis
placed. 1t is our only hope for
future peace. prosperity and happi.
ness. Are we ready to use every
effort to cooperate with all indus
trial organizations and unorganized
labor of all classes of America in
s the fornation of political union
that viii restore again to the peo-
pie government in keeping with
the spirit of our declaration of in
dependence2 Brothers: We ask you
to Join rs ia call for the industrial
classes Of America to meet in con-
vention at the city Of Chicago. on
the 4th day cs|. n Il u a