The times., 1899-07-03
SILVER issue IN FRONT
Mr.. Gompers Says Organized Labor
Has Not Changed.
The American Federation Member
ship Has Increased 100000 With
in the Last Six Months-An Effort
to he Made TO Weave Farm Labor
Into the General Organization.

working classes, both Industrial and agri-
cultural, will take a more active interest
in politics during the coming national
campaign than they have at any previous
time So far as organized labor is repre-
sented by the American Federation of La
Dor. which means by hundreds of thou
sands, silver will be made as prominent an
issue as it was during the Presidential
campaign in 1896. The fight against
trusts will also be carried on and nothing
will be left undone by the wage earners of
the country to wrest the power from what
the workman calls the rapacious cap
tains of industry
Samuel Gompers, President of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor who has just re-
turned from an extended tour of the West,
was seen yesterday, and he stated that the
interests and influence of organized labor
throughout the country are rapidly in
creasing; that the worklngmen themselves
know this fact, he said, is evidenced by
the great addition to the ranks of organ
lied labor during the last six months.
During this time. MIR. Gompers said, over
100000 wage earners have been enrolled as
members of trades unions. During his trip
Mr.. Gompers visited the large cities in
West Virginia. Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and
Pennsylvania. In speaking of the part
that the workingmen of the country will
take in politics during the coming national
election, Mr. Gompers said:
Organized labor, as individual union
men, is taking more Interest in political af-
fairs now than ever before. This is dem
onstrated by the number of members of
organized labor chosen as representatives
In the Legislature in the various States in
different parts of the country In many
States the number of labor men varies
from two to seventeen. In Colorado the
number of members Of organized labor in
the Legislature is seventeen, in addition
to which the Lieutenant Governor of the
State is also member Of organized labor.
The American Federation of Labor
most firmly and unequivocally fayors the
independent use of the ballot by the trades
unionists and workingmen, unitei regard
less OF party, that we may elect men fiom
our own ranks to make new laws and ad-
minister them along the lines laid Gown
In the legislative demands of the American
Federation of Labor and at the came time
secure an impartial judiciary that viii rot
govern US by arbitrary injunctions of the
courts, nor act as the plant tools of cor
porate wealth.
1Ht.A s2S Oul are centred again 81
all forms of industrial slavery ard eco
nomic wrong, we must also direct our
utmost energies to remove all forms o.
political servitude and party 6 sayery, 10
the end that the working peop may at
as unit at the polls at every election.
The worst feature of our political life
! is the domination which party has over
individual judgment. There are many who
are opposed TO certain political proxosi-
tons, but when their party declares for
them they fall into line and support them.
though acknowledging TO themselves that
they are against their individual interests.
1t is our effort, therefore, TO wean the in
dividual from such seryitude so that he
may be guided by principles and measure
rather than implicitly following a party.
no matter for what it declares.
In the measure that we ACCOMPLISH
| this shall we see independent judgmen;
and Independent voting, thus compelling
parties 10 conform their declarations and
principles TO meet the improved Judgment
and demands of the people The inter
ests OF all laborers, whether in factories
! or other industries or on the farms, are
| absolutely identical. Often the farmer il
as inconsiderate of the farm laborer's wei.
fare as is the most rapacious so-called
1 captain Of industry OF the interests of hi.
! employees.
1t is therefore to the interests of or.
ganized labor TO assist in the organization
/ OF the farm iaborers so that they may b.
greater participants in the product o.
] their own labor. In the same degree a.
| the workers in the industrial pursuits, ag.
ricuiture and commerce are organized W,
| shall court and expect the co-operatior
! OF all reform forces in society making fol
the material. political, social, and mora
welfare of the whole people As the re-
suit OF a closer alliance between the or
! ganized industrial wage earners and farm
| laborers there Will be more happiness ans
| less misery; better homes. fewer hoboes
! more schools and lyceums, and fewe,
jails; more home comforts, and fewer sa
Icons; more independence, economical an,
political. and less bossism and corruption
more love Of country and humanity ant
/ less iingoism and political juggling, whicl
now appeal TO the Ignorance and arous
prejudice; in a word. il would make 70
| all those things which make life WORT
! living and make men regard themselve
in duty bound to aid each other in bearin
each others burdens.
The members of organized labor hayi
never made the tariff a prominent featur
in politics. but they have emphaticaliy de
clared for free silver. The trust featur
has indirectly been attacked. particularl,
out 20 dominate the political parties. tn
legislatures, State ard national, the exec
utiyes Of cur municipal lifeand has rsache,
the judiciary, Influenced its opinions de
cisions, and DEGREES. The trusts. however
may have legitimate function in the de
velopment of industry. but their invasion
of our legislatures. and control of the exec
utive and judicial functions of governmen
Is the greatest danger to the perpetuatiol
of republican institutions and the freedom
and independence of the citizen"
When asked If he thought the alleges
oppress on OF the moneyed class has Ieact g
that stage which will cause a political rev
olution among the wage earners of tn
country, Mr.. Gompers said: That we ar
fast drifting toward that condition CT af
fairs there is no question in my mind. bu
we hope that We are now witnessing al
economic revolution in factory, workshop
mill. and mine, and we earnestly anticipat
the same upon the farm, which will caus
evolution rather than revolution. We cal
measure political advancement by tn
greater economic independence of tn
workers. and this economic independents
can only be brought about by the NOR
thorough organization of all wage earners
1T is most gratifying TO us that With
the past six months more than 100000 work
men have Joined the ranks of organize
labor. We have now seventy-one nationa
and international bodies affiliated with tn
American Federation of Labor. consistin
CT over 1900 local unions with an aggre
gate membership of over 100000 wag
oaners."