The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-03-04
STRIKE FOR LIBERTY
IN NORWAY AND SWEDEN
Former Labor Official Tells of
Great Political and Labor
Movement.
Interesting and Timely Ac-
count Of Liberty Movement
in Scandinavia.

Cleveland, o., Mar. 2.-Mr. c. A. Pc
terson, formerly general secretary
treasurer of the international Carriage
Workers union, has contributed to the
labor press a brief review of the splen-
did progress made by the working peo-
pie of Norway and Sweden during the
past few years. Mr.. Peterson is ma
tive Of Scandinavia and his careful
observation Of occurrences In the hy-
phenated government that is rapidly
approaching crisis makes his article
both timely and interesting to those
who pride themselves upon keeping we'll
Informed regarding the progress Of la
Dor the world over.
Mr. Peterson writes as follows:
For some time the labor press has
published articles and reports of po-
litical nature from Sweden and Nor
way, but there are only a few readers
that know conditions as they exist and
therefore pay very little attention to
the same. Sweden is probably the only
country on earth where the class lines
are so closely drawn. There are three
classes, composed of adeln, ministry
and the farmers. Adeln is the titled
class which has been created by. the
kings from time to time up to the mid
die Of the sixteenth century. This title
continues from father to son and in
some instances have been bought from
men reduced to pauperism. The last
named Nhe farmers) have very little
influence in politics.. 1t can be said
that there are now only two political
parties, the Socialists and the land
owners. The land7owning adeln (title
CLASSY control the two houses of the
Riksdag (Parliament), and they are
also a part Of the kings advisory board
or cabinet.
THE fault of the unjust discrimina-
ton as to representation is in the con-
stitution of the country, which was
adopted in 1866. 1t declares for a Riks-
dag of two houses "a Senate and Con-
gress). According to this constitution
the upper house is appointed and the
lower house elected, but right here is
where the discrimination begins, for
according to this law citizen that is
not on the tax list as owner of 1000
kronor or has an income of 800 kronor
per year has no right to vote at any
election; therefore, the average wage
worker has no suffrage and the work.
ing class is compelled to depend upon
it's more fortunate brothers to secure
any benefit on political lines, and all on
account Of an unjust constitution.
I'm the fal of 1901 and beginning of
1902 the agitation for universal suf-
frage was going on with unlimited Wig
linz ~
large city in the country, participated
In by organized labor, socialists and
a few Liberals, with the end in view
of securing universal suffrage. These
demonstra tons were interrupted by
the police and caused several arrests
The last parade in the city of Stock
holm Capital of Sweden) was particle
pated in by over 10000 workers. The
Liberals in the lower house (the elect
ed body then realized that If the po-
J lice continued to interfere with the
suffragists it would cause greater trou-
BILE in the future than it had in the
past. To prevent this committee was
appointed with Mr.. M. Hedin as chair
man to consult with statministern Bar
on Won Often and demand that the DO,
lice be withdrawn, and that he alone
would have to stand the responsibility
for all future troubles if the demand
was not granted. After a long confer
ence the demand was granted, the po-
! lice withdrawn and the cause for all
past trouble was at an end.
The large strike that followed was
! the greatest ever known in Sweden.
Like the pressing Of an electric hi1t
ton, everything stopped, and Stock