The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-09-24
: BY
GEORGE H. SHIBLEY.

SultoO IN pioQg6 from Cn0 I0puOHCau
leaders and many of the candidates.
The democratic state convention pledged
itself because organized labor demon
strated its power to defeat tho party
should it refuse. In California the re-
publican state convention refused, but
election returns showed that fifty OF the
seventy -four successful candidates wero
pledged. In Montana, too, the republi-
can state convention was reversed, and
likewise the democratic state convention.
| In the house the vote for the amendment
was practically unanimous, and it secur-
cd more than q majority in the senate,
but lacked the necessary two thirds, due
to the fact that half the senators held
over.
In Colorado the democratic state con-
vention promised to submit an amend
ment, while the republican state conven-
tion refused. But the questioning of
candidates resulted in more than ma
jority in the legislature, yet not the
necessary two-thirds. The same thing
occurred IN North Dakota In Michigan
and New Jersey the officers Of organized
labor failed to question candidates as
instructed.
This remarkably successful first years
campaign by organized labor and the
! Grange was in the face of most terrific
opposition by the monopolists. They
realize that the peoples veto and direct
initiative will completely terminate their
special privileges. Yet with all their
power they failed 10 Missouri and Mass
achusetts, whose legislatures have sub
mitted~ constitutional amendments, and
they would have failed in most OF the
other states had it not been for the hold
over senators.
This year the monopolists will be 81
most powerless. Last years questioning
Of candidates by organized labor in soy-
en- states and by the grange in one state
was but the first trial by this class Of
organizations. And everywhere late
start was made except in Missouri. Fur.
thermore, since election day overwhelm-
ing reinforcements have como in, while
the value OF questioning candidates -
to majority rule has become established,
the issue has been simplified, and the
system itself-that of questioning candi-
dates-is much improved.
This warrants us in saying that this
year the monopolists will be almost
powerless. Some Of the details as to tho
points enumerated are as follows:
REINFORCEMENTs FOR QUESTIONING CAM
DIDATEs AS TO MAJORITY RULE
A. ORGANIZED LABOR.
At the annual convention of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, with mem
bership of nearly two million wage-earn-
ers, the following resolution mo. l21)
was introduced by First Vice President
Duncan, favorably reported, and unani-
mously adopted:
Whereas For ten wears the American Fedora
tion Of Labor has beendecaring the need for an
increase of power In the voters to be attained by
the adol ton Of the referendum and the initi.
ative, that is az by extending the veto power Of
the voters so that 1t shall include not only the
changes in the written constitution but all lesser
changes In the laws except the usual appropri
alton acts and measures Immediately necessary
for the preserya ion of the public peace, health
or safety, and (2) by clothing five or eight per
cent of the voters with direct initiative; there
fore,
Resolved, That the twenty second annual con-
vention OF the American Federation of Labor
reafirms the demand of the order for more p0-
litical power In Its members and in the people
at large, and to this end demands peoples
veto, the direct ballot to be called for by not to
exceed FIVE per cent ofthe voters: and direct
instiative by not to exceed eight per cent and,
Resolved, That the questioning of the legisla-
tive candidates as practiced by the state branches
of the American Federation of Labor with great
success In Massachusetts, Missouri, Illinois, Cali
fornia and Washington, Is herewith recommends
ed; and,
Resolved, That in order to secure unity OF
action In national affairs, the legislative or
specially appointed committees Of the several
bodies In the American Federation of Labor,
including the local and central unions shall
constitute committees to cooperate with the
American Federation of Labor executive coun-
ell for securing and using direct initiative and
peoples veto.
This means that something like four
teen thousand unions can be called into
the campaign should any of the parties
refuse to pledge for majority rule.
A more extended program for ques-
tioning candidates was presented to the
American Federation OF Labor from the
state Of Washington. Delegates Gordon
A. Rice, Western Central Labor Council.
Seattle, and T. V. Copeland, Tacoma
Trades Council, presented resolution No.