The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-08
WHERE LABOR SHOULD STAND.


Properly exercised the strength of the wage
workers of Rhode Island will prove a potential
force i'm settling the issues before the people in the
present campaign That they realize the splendid
opportunity before them, and that they are deter
mined to improve it, is gratfyngly indicated by
the action of the several labor bodies taken thus
far.
These unions have decided to support the
Democracy and TO make unreenting war upon the
party responsible for Braytonsm until the polls
close on Nov O. No doubt other labor organiza-
tons will take similar action, and within short
time there is cheering prospect that the great
army of wage workers will have established firm
alliance with the honest and militant Democracy
And it is to the Democracy labor should
give its support if it hopes to obtain the legislation
it so much desires and the political recognition
to which by right OF intelligence and OF power in the
electorate, it is entitled.
To give adherence To the Republican party
would be not only to aid in prolonging Brayton-
isms corrupt and corrupting domination, but would
be confession that the Republican party was
justified in houting abor's claims TO consideration
in legislation and in the filling OF the Offices OF the
commonwealth.
The Republican party is not and never has
been the sincere friend of Rhode Island wage work
ers On the contrary it has sought TO and has
generally succeeded in thwarting labors aspirations
for legislation that will ameliorate its condition
and give it the political privileges which are the
birth right OF every American citizen.
Braytonism, exercising the functions of and
acting for the Republican party, has played shtty,
dishonest and deceitful game with the wage work
ers. Making fair promises TO secure labors sup
port at the polls, Braytonism has never hesitated
to repudiate its pledges after the votes were
counted
There is not in force today a single statute of
any value TO the wage workers OF the state that is
OF distinctly Republican origin. Every law that
coniers any benefit upon the people who toll was
t,cyh
the persistent and unwavering efforts of Democrats.
1t is not denied that without Republican votes
these measures could not have been passed, but
those votes given, not through sympathy with
labor but through fear of abors power at the polls.
Take the ten-hour law the laws relating to
the employment of women and children, and the
factory inspection law examples-one and all
they are of Democratic origin and support OF them
was wrung from unwilling and hostile Republi-
cans only because they dared not by defeating them
risk arousing to anger and active opposition the
wage workers
If labor has any doubt that Braytonism and the
Republican party are secretly hostile its interests
and its aspirations let it recall the fate OF the bill for
an eight-hour day, introduced at the last session
of the general assembly. That measure, though
supported by a petition signed by 10000 citizens
everyone OF them qualified eector, was sent to
the committee on special legislation and strangled
by it at Braytonism's command
Here in Providence a petition for an eight
hour day for outside employees of the public works
and park departments has been seized upon by the
creatures OF Braytonsm who have sought to turn II
to partisan advantage by telling the laborers in
effect that they can get an eight hour day only by
helping 10 elect a Republican general assembly.
These facts are we'll known to every intelligent
working man and they prove that labor, if it aims
to promote the well-being of the commonwealth
by crushing corrupt olgarchy, if it hopes to see
real representative government restored, II II
would have manhood suffrage established, if it de
sres the legislation and the political preferment to
which it is entitled it must stand unwaveringly and
unfalteringly with the decent Democracy.
Support of Braytonsm will only expose it &c
further insult and reputation after the election is
over
Alliance with visionary socialism will be but
TO waste its strength on mpracticable abstraction
To put labor ticket in the field would be &c
give aid and comfort to the common enemy, Bray.
tonism and to do grievous injury to its unfailing
consistent and persistent champion, advocate and
friend-the Democracy.
1t is with the Democracy labor will be found
battling Tor the political regeneration of Rhode
Island on Nov. O.
T.