The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-14
LABOR'S FRIEND(?).

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Just what Democracy would do il
given tull control of the national gov.
ernment is rather difficult TO predict
but this much is certain, that the labor
ingmen throughout the country would
never need to expect an advance in
wages. AS an example of Democratic
government we have only to refer to the
last session Of Montanas Democratic
law makers. They were in full control
OF both branches Of the legislature and
enacted laws in favor Of corporations and
trusts, and having the welfare of the Ia
boringmen in mind, they also passed a
law reducing the road tax from 50 90 to
$500, so that the man who works upon
our highways may not get too much pay.
The generous Democrats no doubt con-
tended that $500 was enough for any
able bodied man between the ages Of 21
and 45 years Of age for one days work,
and they did not propose to allow such
laws to remain in force that would per-
NIT workingman to earn $500 in one
day by little work on road. Perhaps
they were prompted by the belief that
the workingmen would become too pros
porous and in dependent on $500 day
and hold Jeffersonian dinners Of their
own-a luxury which is only intended
for tie bosses. The Democratic party
is the "poor mans party" and the "labor-
ingman's friend" Every act of Demo.
cratic legislation corroborates the asser-
ton, but the laws which will actually
benefit organized labor or laboringmen
generally are only promised laws, which
never materialize. The system employed
by the machine politicians is to get the
laboringman's vote by promising any
thing that proves suitable bait, and
they are all good fellows until the day
after election. A complete transforma-
ton then takes place. The politician, if
he has been elected, is through with the
workingman; his purpose has been ac-
complished and he has no further use
for him. Being of progressive nature,
he now aims higher and calls upon the
trusts and corporations to learn their de.
sires, as in an official capacity he might
be o. service to them, as is very natural
with most Democrats he desires to be
solid all around. He now talks of pol
icy, and no one could expect him to sup
port measure which would offend his
corporation friends; then if he should be
reminded OF certain campaign promises,
he has no recollection of such things, as
they were perhaps made under an i'm
pulse of excitement without due con.
sideration, and man has the right of
changing his mind. A corporation may
also be in a position to assist the pol
ltician in various ways, and an ordinary
workingman should not expect him to
forsake an influential concern. This is
the history of Democracy; it has re-
peated itself time and again, and yet the
bosses and party leaders possess the i'm
maculate gall and unlimited amount of
nerve TO assert that the Democratic
party is the laboringmans friend. How
ever, it is somewhat of a consolation to
note that the worklngmen everywhere
are awakening and the truth begins to
dawn upon them that Democratic gov
ernment muans hard time and oppres-
sion. rule by the money power-which
has been exceedingly successful in buy
Ing Democratic Legislators and debating
the laws they desired to have enacted. A
Republican form of government is essen
tial for the welfare of this great republic,
and the party that has been true and has
redeemed its pledges is the party which
the man who earns his bread by the
sweat of his brow will support in the
future