The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-23
Result, No Political Club
Was Organized.

quarters yesterday resulted in all but
the organization of an independent
political club to further the rights of
the working man. There were about
twenty-five present when the meeting
was opened, and others dropped in dur
ing the afternoon.
a At the outset w. A. Rossley was
chosen temporary chairman, and D. f.
q Coogan temporary secretary E. L..
81 Usher, of the socialist labor party, was
suggested as chairman, but was defeat
& ed Chairman Rossley then stated that
the object of the meeting was to or
8 ganize an independent political club
q that some sort of unity in voting might
be had from the working men of Wor-
3 cester. He suggested that half an hour
be spent in discussion before any for
NAL organization would be attempted
and that those present would be allowed
"a three minutes each for debate
1t was moved and carried that the
club be called the Citizens Independent
pClub. Mr. Rossley then spoke for a few
minutes on what the platform of the
club would amount to. He said in part:
81 ''About one year ago the first efforts
to formulate political party for the
workingman were seen. We want to be
3 able to put in office men we can trust
Formerly laboring men voted for can
"a didates from their political parties
B without regard to the benefit they might
be to workingmen. The object of this
informal meeting is to see the opinion
of the men as to the organization of a
practical political club on the same
lines as the other parties are organized
We shall work together instead of in
dividually. This will show that the
fworkingman is determined to use his
vote to the best advantage. No one is
asked to break with his political faith.
This is not for members of the unions
but for all the workingmen in the city"
e. L. Usher of the socialist labor
party then spoke on the necessity of the
& Organization of laboring men into a
political party.
Jefferson D. Pierce said that he had
not much to say at this time. He
: Thought that some action was necessary
by the laboring men to get what belongs
to them. He was in favor of the indie
pendent lines laid down by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor-in watching
the candidates and voting for the man
who would help the workingman.
Patrick Haggerty spoke on the divis-
Ion of the laboring mans vote caused
by the existence of three political par
ties, and Thought that unless some def
mite plan could be decided upon and ad-
hered to by the workfngmen they could
never hope to win at elections,
Chairman Rossley then called Thos.
Harvey to the chair, and spoke again
on the objects of the club. He moved
that all eligible men at the meeting
be allowed to sign the roll of the club,
and that those signing be assessed 30
cents as an initiation fee until con-
stitution and bylaws be formed.
A recess was ordered in order to per-
NIT the men to sign the roll. The first
4 signer was Timothy Shannon, and he
was followed by the majority of those
present. f. L. Usher and Walter j.
Hoar, members of the socialist-labor
party, refused to sign, and later the
Z meeting was again called to order.
Mr.. Hoar spoke against the organi-
cation of new party, and brought up
/ the benefits of the socialist-labor party
as the only salvation of the working
man. Mr.. Bokelund, also of this
party, had a few words to say on the
same line When he had finished, Mr..
Usher said that, though he did not in
tend to speak, yet he felt that the club
/. would prove a failure in trying to or
ganiZe a new party, and also favored
the adoption of the socialist-abor
party platform as the best possible. He
said he could not join the citizens
party.
Secretary Coogan gave his ideas of
what the club should be, and then Hoar
and Usher made some socialist speech
es. 1t was then moved to adjourn I'M
til next Sunday, and the motion was
lost. After some more speaking, Mr..
Hoar moved that a committee of five
be appointed to look into the platforms
, of the several political parties and re-
port at the next meeting. After a
lengthy and rather warm debate, this
motion was lost, and Mr.. Usher moved
! to adjourn till Sunday at 8 o'clock. This
motion was again lost. Jefferson D.
Pierce then moved to elect a commit
tee of five to formulate a constitution
and bylaws for the club, suggesting
at the same time that those who had
not signed the roll be debarred from
taking any part in the action. This
was carried, and Patrick Haggerty, D.
F. Coogan, T. F. Harvey W. E.
Bangs and w. A. Rossley were elect
ed
The socialists did not relish this ac-
ton, and spoke to some extent, but to
no purpose, against the organization on
general grounds. ]. D. Pierce, in re-
ply, accused the socialist-labor party
of being the cause of the disrupting of
the labor party. The meeting ad-
iourned to meet next Sunday afternoon
at o'clock
1t was evident throughout the meet
q ing that the representatives of the So
cialist-labor party were determined to
bring the workingmen into their party,
and it was equally evident that the
workingmen present had no idea of go
4 ing into it, at least not as a body.