The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-14
SEATTLE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER !
Labor Docs Not Want 1t.

During the last presidential campaign
the only provision in the Democratic ma
tional platform purporting to be directly
In the interests of the labor of the cour-
try was the demand made for the cres-
ton OF special department OF labor, with
cabinet officer at the head Of II. Sin
gulariy enough from the Democratic
standpoint. the Federation of Labor. by
a decisive vote, has just announced that
It does not care to have this political po-
sition created, because II does not believe
that the cause Of labor would be advanced
In the slightest degree by any such de-
partmcnt Inferentally 1t is to be pre-
sumed that the presen. bureau of labor
fills all Of the requirements.
II is worthy OF note that one delegate
from New York placed his opposition to
the proposal on the ground that his ex-
psrlence had not led him to place much
confidence In the average labor represent
alive In places of trust and responsibility
In some OF the state governments. His
experience is not unique. 1t Is matter
OF common observation, not confined to
labor circles. that the class OF men who
aspire to get into politics and political po-
sition on the strength of their influence
In the ranks OF labor organizations are
not exactly ideal representatives. either
OF labor or OF any other class In the COM
munity and that the advancement OF
their own personal fortunes Is a matter
OF far greater Importance to the most OF
them than any aid which they can render
TO the cause of their feilow-workmen.
As somewhat connected with those same
propositions. II ~ also to be noted that
the so-ealled labor leader. who mikes him
self up actively with political affairs. and
who tries TO create the impression tina.
he carries the labor vote I'm his vest
pocket. is a man OF considerably smaller
weight than he assumes TO be-. The labor
vote IS divided In very much the same
directions as any other vote in the eoun-
try There are no class lines on which
the voters OF this country separate. and
II Is 20 be hoped that there never win be
Neither Is &c by any means certain that
the men who come to the front In labor
matters in all respects fully represent the
sentiments OF the rank and Ole In labor
organizations. The man who persistently
shoulders himself 20 the front In labor
organizations I'm fact often has consider
ably less influence with his fellow work
man than the quiet, modes, man. whose
voice Is rarely heard IN union meetings.
and who never aspires 20 hold any promi.
nent official rank in his labor orEanlza.
tion.
II f. unfortunately true that the woriy
agitAsor has often carried . majority vote
with him, on propositions opposed by the
weight OF the ahlest and most conserva-
tive men IN an organization But Tits
has been due in measure 10 the peculiar
susceptibility which most laboring men
have 20 any reflections upon their loyalty
10 the union, Many. for example. who
would otherwise have stood eat against
voting Tor an anoalled for and disastrous
strike can be readily ercush, into line
with the policy of the professional agi-
tator by toe insinuation that they are dis
loyal 10 unionlsm. are trying to stand in
with the employers.
Within strictly trade lines these All.
taiors WELD considerable influence, for
these reasons: but when & comes to mar
shslllns the votes in political campaign,
and under secret ballot. their influence
IS at minimum. and the workinsrnen
Of the eouatry cast their votes with the
political parties with which they have
been always affiliated. The workingmeu
themselves. through the Federation OF
Labor. have proved far wiser. more con.
&sryatIye and more intelligently cognlsanI