The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-23

united upon one certain measure. In
this regard the action of the Western
Labor Union upon this very question
appears TO be in every way worthy Of
consideration. The committee appoint
ed I'm that body to formulate a plan OF
political action. recommended thai all
efforts for legislative enactment be
confined 20 the principles of direct leg
islation. they agreed that with the In
itiative and referendum once adopted
all other reforms would be the more
easily accomplished. II the MO and
other friends in this state will concen-
trate all their efforts towards the
adoption of this n reform. IL can be
made the Law OF the state. and in view
OF the success Of the unions i'm dealing
locally with the questions OF hours and
wages. and h failure OF our attempts
to control or settle the same question
through legislation. II is well to de-
bate the matter In this convention n
to arrive. IL possible, at a conclusion
which will unite all the labor and re-
form forces OF the state upon a single
demand. The legislative body provided
for in the constitution Of this body
should be continued. A bill e~mbodying
all principles of principles OF direct leg
islation should be carefully prepared
for presentation to the next Legislative
assembly. and that body should be
given to understand that the party or
the individual who votes against IL will
be held responsible at the polls for Its
defeat. and while we may not be able
In all cases to retire our enemies 20 pri-
vate life. recent events have shown
that our opposition is not to be des-
pissed. Remember that II we would
succeed we must learn to support men
and measures. that all We expect to
receive we must obtain by our own
efforts. and that unless we are united,
Gl 81 La.l 81 ..~2-1
we shall fail at last where we have
every reason To expect success. One
OF the great questions which we as citi-
zens Will be called upon to consider In
the near future Is the proposed increase
of the standing army. In my opinion,
IL is clearly the duty and strictly with
in the province of this convention to
declare strongly gains this innova-
ton. and the methods by which the
people are being deluded into support
ing H.. These are well illustrated by
the actions regarding the post located
I'm this county. Five years ago. or at
any time the garrison was here. the
proposition to Increase the army would
not have received the support of 10 per
cent OF the voters of this county. But
to-day with the garrison gone, the post
practically abandoned. and no prospect
Of the soldiers coming back unless new
men are enlisted, we find a great
tndTkt III DuDllc Sentlfnent. In TACT,
we find a candidate for congress max
Ing his campaign upon the fact hat he
alone Is able to re-establish the great
government poor house in this commu-
nifty. ! cannot help believing that our
cause will ave greater benefits under
the proposal of the car of Russia, the
disarmament Of all nations. II is in
the kindest spirit. but with a great
deal of concern that the attention of
the high wage mechanics is called to
the relation which thoy sustain to the
comomn laborer. While this matter
has received the consideration IL de-
serves among the building trades. il
has largely been overlooked or ne
by others who are vitality IN
To me IL seems absolute
ly incontestible hat 1t is more to
the advantage of the high wages.
short hour mechanic. to use his best
efforts toward improving the condition
and increasing the pay Of the com
mon laborers, than to be selfishly con-
his own personal gain. Under
conditions the mechanic of
to-day Is replaced tomorrow by a ma
chine n a boy. the tradesman by a
handy man. The constant tendency of
wages Is downward. and the constant
OF the worker is upward. The
OF competition is not so great
members OF our own trade, but
" lUtSt WIN are OUTSIDE, anu WISH |
to better their condition by change of
occupation. Careful attention given by
the trades unions to the condition
which obtain I'm the work of the log
gers. millmen and farm hands will show
them the absolute necessity of lending
their aid to this large class of workers
In their efforts to increase their wages
shorten their hours of labor IL
must also be remembered that our
movement Ia one for the haftarnpant nf |
the conditions of the whole laboring
class. and that IL one union pushes it,
self too far in advance IL Is liable to
create a revulsion Of opinion and find
Itself stranded high and dry. the VIC
i'm OF a policy of greed which has de-
prived II of public support as well as
he assistance n friendship of sister
unions. Let us have a broad. humane,
lnselhsh policy which recognizes a
fellow being In every n who tolls.
Local unions are of course effective only
they are able to confer benefits
advantages upon their members.
but the proposition under considera-
lion Is n which involves not alone the
of the individual. but the pro-
gress OF the entire race. Without doubt
one OF the best methods for mutual
is the union label. The union
nan who uses scab goods. employs the
scab who made them. Demand union
goods and the manufactures will
be compelled to employ Mo help. !
Insist that the man who works with
you and receives the benefits which or
confers. helps to support
the union which gives him the benefits.
promptly and cheerfully to those
IN distress. and never forget that an
injury To one Is the concern of all.
carefully every proposition which
viii involve your union in any diffi-
,ulty. and above all things seek in your
deliberations and policies to wipe out
s~elfishness. Your attention is invited
TO the question of organizers. While
his matter was considered at some
In the last convention. and
certain provisions made. il seems that
no fault of the executive
board. much OF the good work which
might have been accomplished. remains
This subject should b. thor
.ughly discussed n definite action
at this convention. such pro-