Bisbee daily review., 1902-06-21
ACTUAL NUMBER PRINTED Io-OAY.14oo.
LABOR UNIONS AND POLITICS.

ANU tOllIICS.
 The resolution adopted by tne .e- cent Denver labor congress in favor of seperate political action by union la bor and for the propagation of the doc trines of socialism has attracted g wide discussion in the newspapers of the country, specially by those pub lished in the west The concensus ni the opinion which has been expressed is that such advice given by the Denver conference, if followed, would result in no benefit to the cause of labor and might bring to it serious harm. Labor organizations should have for a pur- pose something above mere scramble for office, the chief object should be the elevation and protection of labor CTS in every calling; conomic qustions should be carefully studied so that every action taken could be calculated in its effects on laborers, employers and the public. If labor organizations are to reach perfection, then the doors must be barred against the politician and agitator We do not wish to be un- derstood to assert that all politicians are selfish, but there are many who, wLile protesting loyalty to labor organ izations, would sacrifice everything and everybody depending upon labor it it were necessary to gain their selfish ends.
 The creation of labor party, wheth- CT it is to be called socialism or by any other name, must depend for sue cess on the agreement Of those whoare to join it, on the public questions and issues which are brought forward by occurring events Economic and in- industrial conditions create political issues: the party that attempts cause. will be charged with demagos- cry.
 The great issues now before the peo- pie of the United States, and on which coming campaigns will be based are first. the tariff: seco,S. f-a2cc, c-9 third, the question of imperialism, as raised by our possession of and pres ence the Philippines islands. To say that those who belong to labor organi- cations can agree. or act. harmoniously on any one of these questions would be to question their intelligence. It is no more possible for lsho-i@~ mer 'o agree on political rueztions tha- :. : for farmers, mercha-ts, !a"yeco, Co., ors, or any other class of men, ~ho is. bor and think for themselves.
 Labor organZations are composed of many intelligent men, who are worthy of political recognition and who would acquit themselves with distinguished honor in whatever position of govern ment they might be called. Many Of them are republicans on principle, many are democrats on principle. many are poulists or principle, and a majority of all will doubtless refuse to abandon the honest convictions of years to identify themselves with a new party, which, however honest. will necessarily entertain so many vie ss that are indefinite and impracticable that its success at the polls within th- life of any man now living may be safely said to be impossible.
 The greatest power in shaping goy ernmental poncies and bringing abou desirable industrial conditions can b. yielded by labor in the maintenance of strict and detrmined political inde pendence and giving all political par ties to understand that the labor vot' stands ready at all times to rebuke in efficient, extravagant or dishonest gov ernment, whether it be national, state county or municipal
 Perhaps the best illustration of tn, wisdom of confining union labor strict ly to union interests by the reliegatio of politics to the political arena is tn Butte Miners union. Regarding thi organization the Mountain say , 'r'or twenty-three years 1t has bee conductd without reference to politica issues. Yet it has achieved wonderfa results. It has, by avoiding disput and division, held its forces and |. creased its power for good; 1t has ha much to do in shaping public opinio on the side of justice. humanity an common sense. By keeping out C politics it has commanded the goo