The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-08-02

\ good many of labor's editorial
'friends" are seriously disturbed
by the announced determination
of the American Federation of La
Dor to carry the war for justice and
fair play deeper into politics-to
punish enemies, support friends,
and elect to Congress men from the
ranks of labor. Admonitions.
warnings and eXhortations are
being addressed to trades unionists
from various directions with regard
to the proposed policy. 'sDon't''
is the burden of their "friendly''
utterances. GA Great Mistake"
"Class Politics." HCertain Fail
ure." danger to the Unionist
Cause" are the expressions glibly
turned out and harped upon for
our benefit. One contemporary
concludes solemn editorial as fol-
lows:
"But it will not mend matters
to turn the labor union into polit-
ical party. The thing is impracti-
cable. That is not the way to get
relief. Let every laborer, indepen-
dent of his union, make his own
politics, choose his own party. 1t
would do incalculable injury to the
cause of organized labor to become
political class. There are too
many demagogues ready to take
advantage of such Il thing. Let the
working man consider the populist
movement and hesitate.n
Now this. 49, Il
regarding the welfare of the trade
union movement is very touching.
We appreciate it; we are deeply
moved by it and are profoundly
gratified. We do not permit our
selves to doubt its sincerity. Per-
ish the thought Of inSincerity!
Our "friends" will excuse us if
we venture to observe that this ad-
vice is hackneyed, superficial, and
OF little value. They do not un-
derstand the situation; they have
much to learn and much to forget.
Times change, dear s'friends,', and
the sort of editorial philosophy
that "went'' years ago does not go
in 1906.
1t is little strange that we
should be entreated to consider the
popullst movement. The populist
party is lifeless, but what of its
principlesG Wall street used to
condemn as 'spopulism,n even as
anarchy" the very things which
the Republicans now admire in
PRESIDENT Roosevelt and for which
the "safe and sane' Democrats are
eXtolling Bryan, and 'Eendorsing''
him for the next presidential nom
ination.
We invite our editorial friends
to answer this question.
We would further suggest that
they tell us what they think of the
labor group in the British House
OF Commons and of the British
Labor in Politics. movement.
What are the lessons of that move
ment? Does the British labor sit
uatlon encourage or discourage
poiltlcal action on the part of in
telllgent labor, conscious of its
power and its needs? Come, gentle
friends, give an honest answer to
these questions. Have YOU heard
OF the trade union bill which has
passed the House of. Commons ?
Have you heard of any opposition
to it? If not, why not?
Would the workmen of Great
Britain be as influential as they
now are if they had voted and
elected tories and sham liberals to
the House of Commonse
The objection to aclass politics,
and ''class legislation is plaus
lble when you do not stop to CON
slider 1T. As a matter of fact. it is
devoid of meaning. Protectionists
are not asked to vote for free
traders, gold men are not expected
to work for men who believe in
control of rate making or in gov
ernment ownership of railways.
Government is not platonic. Tt
represents dominant interests. It
leg1slates for those who are strong
enough to command respect for
their wishes. When the politici-
ans fear the people, they leg;slate
after fashion-for the people.
When the public is Indifferent,