The San Francisco call., 1896-02-18
THE PLATFORM OF LABOR.

Idh PLAIFUkM vi LADUh,
The platform adopted on Sunday by the
convention of labor organizations in this
City is more like a declaration OF princi-
Piles of a new system of social philosophy
than manifesto of issues to be dealt with
as matters of practical politics IN the ap-
preaching campaign. 1t must be consid-
cred in that light in order that its full sig
nificance may be understood. The men
who adopted it are too intelligent to in
dulge in the hope that its demands could
be carried out by political parties as now
organized, and they must have designed 1t,
therefore, less for present election purposes
than as a body of political doctrine to
which they consecrate themselves, and for
which they propose to enter upon cam
paign of education.
III it is considered merely as an ordinary
political platform, declaring the demands
of the convention in regard to existing is
sues, it Will be found too far reaching to
have any great practical value. 1t sweeps
over the whole domain of economic poll
tics. National, State and municipal, and
outlines policies in each which, if they
were to be enforced Immediately, would
be radical to the verge OF revolution.
Considered on the other hand as declara-
ton of general principles of political phil
osophy rather than of practical politics,
the platform is of more than local or tenn
porary Importance. 1t is significant of the
trend of thought among the thinkers of
one of the most powerful classes of the Re-
public, and is therefore deserving of study
by all who wish to have a clear compre-
hon nSjn Of l,o of
The preamble declares that the competi-
tive system, upon which the whole struc-
ture of modern industry and nearly the
whole of modern society is based, no longer
subserves the best interests of civilized
man, and that the time has come to sup
plant 1t by substituting a system of uni
versai cooperation founded upon the So
cialization of the means of production
lands, tools and capital. The various
planks which follow declare the means by
which it is the intention, or at least hope,
OF the convention TO bring about the pro-
posed substitution of cooperation for COM
petition. They cover a wide variety OF de-
mands, ranging from governmental own
ership of all railways, canals and tele-
graphs to the equalization OF women S
wages to those of men where equal service
is performed. 1t is in short a platform
that makes near approach TO state So
cialism, and is drawn up with degree of
consistency and harmony between the
various parts that would have done credit
to the learned professors who constitute in
Germany what is called the Socialism of
the chair
The platform is the more peculiar be-
cause the American people are much more
addicted 10 practical politics than to alb
stract philosophy. Even i'll this case, for
exam pie, the average citizen will be more
interested in.guessing what the labor or
ganizations may do in the coming election
than in what they have resolved concern
ing the competitive system. That Is a
question, however, which not even the or
CARNATIONS themselves could wholly
answer, for while men may agree on alb
stract propositions there is sure to be
more or less division among them when
it comes to matters Of detail and the
election of officers.
1t is sufficient to note at this time that the
workirgmen of the City are, on the whole,
favorable to cooperative work, and that
they will be inclined to support public i'm
provements and municipal developments
as far as it is practicable to go now. There
is much of encouragement in that fact.
We have long needed a more intelligent
administration OF public business, more
progressive government, more civic patri-
otism In office and better men to manage
municipal affairs, and in the platform is
sued by the Labor Convention there is to
be found reason for believing that in work
ing for the abstract principles enunciated
therein, the members of the organized
unions OF the City will, in matters of prac-
teal politics, combine with the party that
nominates the best men for Office and gives
the most reliable promise of overthrowing
political bosses and carrying on the muni-
cipal government strictly in the interests
Of the whole people.