River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-12-12

syndicate, was farcical to say the least,
but a farce only in so far az it was in
tended to blind the people to the TACT that
they were being robbed, deliberately and
numerically. in the interests of eastern
bankers and bondholders, whose only de-
sire has been and now is the perpetuation
of a system of bonded Indebtedness ON the
part of the government.
1.-The eastern bankers, If permitted will
continue draining the gold reserve until
new bonds replace the old ones and ali
interest-bearing Indebtedness has been
again established and the lifo OF the ma
tional banks prolonged beyond the present
generation of mer-
Question of Politics.
Have we a political programme? This
IS a disputed question. The Denver con-
ventioD, by separate and distinct votes,
adopted y declarations of portical belief
but a motion to adopt as whole was de-
Ieated, and in consequence of this Il is
held by some that Tie previous declara-
lions were invalidated, while others are
of the opinion that each declaration was
complete i'm itself and that the motion to
adopt a whole was superfiuous. AMI it's
adoption OF rejection by the convention
could neither add nor take from the declar-
ations previously made. In my judgment
the latter position is the correct one, but
/ have not been called upon to render
decision on the question, and to satisfy
those who entertained doubts in the mat
Ter ask Indl you CLEARLY QtliTc lHt posi-
ton you intend to hold along political
lines.
whether the declarations made at the
Denver convention are approved or disap-
proved by you, the self-evident truth con-
fronts us that wage-workers cannot hope
to be free in the shops. mines and factories
while trudging in party slavery to the
polls. AS an organization we may decide
to leave politics alone. but unfortunately
for the interests of the organization and
its members. politics will not let us alone,
hence we are compelled, not from sentt-
mental. but from purely business stand
point. to consider and act politically in
such a manner and along such lines as viii
yield practical results to the trade union
movement in its efforts to ameli orate the
wage-workers' condition in life.
Must Vote independently.
while disagreeing over different isms.
we all agree that reforms are needed and
II should be our purpose at this time TO
act only matters of moment upon
which all are in hearty accord. AMI IL
this is done it VIII be an easy matter 20
form a plan of action both political and
cooperative that will succeed In taking
from our federal courts powers which
have lately been arrogated by and not
delegated to them; TO agree upon a method
Of shortening the hours of labor. by leg
.slation to eight per day. oc less. thus.
enhancing the value of work and wages.
At this time IL is not independent party,
but independent voting that VIII accom-
plish benefic emit and speedy results. by
cooperating IN the support of men and
measures fave -able to labor interests you
would soon haze all parties striving to
secure the votes of organized labor. by
this method the nationalizing of the means
of transportation and communication
could be accomplished and the municipal
ownership of water. heat. light and power
plants be assured"
Omcers Report
The secretary reported that during
the year the organization spent for the
defense of miners and other unions, for
the defense of Debs, the lecturing tour.
Of Burns and Holmes. ETC., So, ACT. Tie