The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-09-07


late plans to further the interests of
this movement, and in accordance with
the plan herein outlined at the proper
time and in the proper manner nomi-
nate candidates who will unquestion-
ably stand for the enactment into law
of labor and progressive measures.
wherever both parties ignore la
boris legislative demands a straight
labor candidate should be nominated,
so that honest men may have the op-
portunity in exercising their franchise
to vote according to their conscience
instead of being compelled to either
refrain from voting or to vote for the
candidate and the party they must in
their innermost souls despise.
Where a congressman or state leg
islator has proved himself a true
friend to the rights of labor he should
be supported and no candidate nomi-
mated against him.
This movement must not degener-
ate into a scramble for Office. 1t should
be determined effort, free, absolutely
from partisanship of every name and
character, to secure the legislation we
deem necessary and essential to the
welfare and happiness of all our peo-
pie. AS the present objects of this
movement are purely in the line of
legislation, all efforts should be con-
centrated upon the election OF men,
bers of congress and the various state
legislatures.
ITO make thiS-our movement-the
most effective the utmost care should
be taken to nominate only such union
men whose known intelligence, hon
esty and faithfulness are conspicuous
They should be nominated as straight
labor representatives and stand and be
supported as such by union men and
their friends and sympathizers, ire
spective of previous political affilia-
ton
wherever it is apparent that an en-
tirely Independent labor candidate
cannot be elected, efforts should be
made to secure such support by in
dorsement of candidates by the minor
ity party in the districts and by such
other progressive elements as will in
sure the election Of labor representa-
tives.
"All observers agree that the cam
paign of our fellow workmen of Great
Britain has had a wholesome effect
upon the government, as well as the
interests of its wage-earners, and the
people generally of that country. In
the last British election fifty-four trade
unionists were elected to parliament
If the British workmen with their linn
tied franchise accomplished so much
by their united action, what may we
versal suffrage.
Those earnestly engaged in our
movement must, we repeat, be guided
by the fact that the principles for
which we stand must be primary con-
sideration, and Office secondary. We
ask our fellow workers and friends to
respond to this call, and to make of it
a popular uprising of honest men, and
to see to it that the best, most con
scientious men of labor or their sup
tives.
| Advantages Won by Sacrifices.
Whatever vantage ground or i'm
proved conditions have come to the
workers of our country were not
brought to them on silver platters;
they are the result of their better or
ganization and their higher intelli-
gence; of the sacrifices they have
made and the Industrial battle scars
of many contests. The progress of the
toilers has not been due to kindness
powers that be, but achieved in spite
of the combined bitter hostility of
mendacious greed, corporate corrup-
ton, legislative antagonism and judi
cial usurpation.
Labor men of America, assert your
rights, and in addition to strengthen
ing your faith and loyalty to your or
ganization on the economic field, ex-
ercise your full rights of citizenship in
the use of your ballot. Elect honesi
men to congress and to other halls o
Legislation, and by so doing you wiz
more completely and fully carry oAe
your obligations as union men, and
more than ever merit the respect of
your fellow citizens.
! Labor demands a distinctive and
1aroer chare in tho Governmental af-
fairs of our country; it demands JUS
tice; it will be satisfied with nothing
less. Fraternally yours,
| SAMUEL GOMPERS,
| President.
| JAMES DUNCAN,
| First Vice President
JOHN MITCHELL,