The morning call., 1894-07-16
A HOPEFUL SIGN.
Labor Leaders Turn to
the Ballot.
A LESSON OF THE STRIKE.
Musicians Union the First to
Accept 1t.
PACIFIC MEASURES HELD BEST
Views Also Expressed Against the
Introduction of Politics Into
Labor Organizations.

One of the interesting developments Of
the great strike now coming to an end. if
not the most interesting and certainly the
most hopeful, is the manner in which pub
lie sentiment (within the ranks of the
working classes) has been sharply de-
flected from bullets TO ballots" as the
saving Isl
The first outward sign of this was the
action of the Musicians Protective Union
last week in unanimously resolving itself
into an independent political club" and
sending notice of that action to the Trades
Council, with the expressed belief that the
cause of labor would best be furthcred by
all unions doing likewise.
The orthodox notions of organized labor
received something of a shock in this pro-
nounced action. but that it struck a SYM
pathetic chord was apparent in the discus
sion that followed.
Mr.. Van Gulpen, secretary of the Cigar
makers Union, who viewed the innoya-
ton with most alarm, based his objections
upon the fear Of distributing The unions
because of political prejudices within this
ranks. He has this to say with regard
to it:
ut has long been law within the ranks
tics, like his religion, is his own. To de-
part from that rule is to invite danger
They say the club formed by the musicians
is an independent one, and unpledged TO
any candidate or party, but is expected TO
pledge itself only TO those who will look
out for the interests of labor. The trou-
BILE, of course, may be expected at the
time the pledges are exacted. Suppose
club is formed of cigar makers. even
though 1t be outside and independent of
The union. 1t is left to the option Of each
individual to join it and many decline.
Immediately there is faction and friction
within the union. l do not think ii safe
to allow politics TO creep into the work of
organized labor"
The musicians, however, claim that it Is
the tendency OF the times. as shown in the
resolutions passed at the meeting of the
American Federation OF Labor in Chicago
and at the big meeting in New York Sat
urday night. The Musicians Union have
appointed a committee OF fifteen, which
has divided into three committees, on or
ganiZatiOn, obligation and platform. Fol
lowing are the fifteen: John keogh, tenn
porary chairman; d. Rtmsey, secretary:
Eugene Schmitz, ID. w. Sullivan, l.. Mar
Gus, S. Davis, T.. Abiati, William Mayfood,
L. Franks, Charles Heinsen, F. BOgel,
George EhrmaD, Henry Harris, w. Horn
and L. Ritzau.
The b-c0mmittee is low doing its work
and will report to the general committee
this week.
To THE CALL yesterday S. Davis Of the
platform committee told how the action
came about and what they hoped from it.
st is publicity that we want in move
ment of this kind. We believe this move
ment will spread as rapidly as organized
labor comes to know and think about it.
We are an order and law loving people; it
Is within the power OF the common people
under our form of government to correct
any manner Of abuse which any class of
the people may impose upon any other
class. They have it not only in their
power to make wise laws, but to see that
they are executed. Why should they not
exercise that power? There are something
like $4,000 COO voters in this country, of
whom 100000 are Of the working class.
Under these circumstances why should
there be any resort to violence? | have
TO say that we deprecate in the most pro-
nounced teEms possible the crimes and
Outrages that have been committed in the
name of this STRIKE"
Henry Harris, another member of the
committee of fifteen, said: This strike,
while 1t may lose in the exact point at
issue. has. nevertheless, already won in
the impression it has made upon the
country. 1t has shown us all what labor
thoroughly united could do. L. will cause
every capitallStlc employer to hesitate in
the mater OF cutting down the wages of
his men every few months, according to
the habit OF most of them. On the other
hand, it has given an impulse in the direc-
ton of exercising this great power through
the ballot. If organized labor can unite TO
paralyZe the industry of the country by
way of forcing capital to its terms, why
cannot it make common cause in securing
for itself representation in the Legis-
latures of States and in the national Con-
gress. That is the thought that has been
raised in the mind OF every law-loving
workingman by this demonstration. and
movement to that end is on foot such as
has never been witnessed in the country
before Labor is better organized than
ever before-is being better organized year
by year. and the strength of this organiza-
ton will be used to secure proper repre-
sentation in the Government, unless l am
greatly mistaken. No, there is no secret
about our movement.