The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-02
THE UNIONS IN POLITICS.
An Outline of the Plan Of Campaign
Endorsed by the American Fedora

ton of Labor.
Washington, April 22.-Secretary
Frank Morrison. Of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, says: The puohca-
ton a few days since of an outline OF
the programme whereby the American
Federation of Labor is cooperating
with Referendum Leagues, Organ
lied Farmers and other organized in
terests that are opposed to machine
rule and private monopoly, to not only
elect congressman and Senators who
Will represent the peoples interests
but also to Systematically question all
candidates SO as to secure, as the re-
suit Of this years campaign, the es-
tablishment in the National House
and Senate of new system through
which the voters can instruct their
representatives by direct ballot, is
creating unusual interest
''The owners Of every private mo-
nopoly in the land" continued Secre-
tary Morrison, "are beginning to real
iza that a national battle for the peo-
pies rights, along new lines, has open
ed. The programme, though it is new
to most Of. the monopilsts and to
many OF the politicians and newspaper
men is really several years old, and
already has won a great number Of
victories, with promise Of pro
!! nounced victory this year, now that
the peoples revolt against machine
rule has spread so thoroughly and
there is an increased interest in our
programme and the further fact that
there is no presidential campaign to
divert the popular interest
When asked for details Mr.. Morri-
son said: ''The victories referred to
are those for the establishment in the
people Of a right to direct vote on
public questions-the initiative and
referendum and the advisory initia-
tive and advisory referendum. The
establishment Of the system transfers
the sovereign authority from the par
ty in power to the people The peo-
pies rights to this fundamental re-
form has been wrung from the legis-
lature in Deleware,, Illinois, Texas,
oregon, South Dakota, Montana and
80, So raforood,,-o octa h1ich.
/ ed in Nevada; also with three-fourths
of the legislature pledged in Ohio, and
! with a vote in the Massa achusetts house
of 9S to 2, while success this year is
assured in Maine and other States, be-
sides the brilliant prospects for the
national campaign.
''The procedure whereby the peo-
| pIe,s right to a direct ballot on public
questions has been and is being Sc
| cured is primarily through non-parti-
san organizations, such as Trades
Unions. Referendum Leagues,
Oranges and Farmers Unions. They
are not only demanding in general
terms that the peoples sovereignty be
reesta blished but are questioning the
nominees Of the party machines and
are publishing their replies. This
raises the issue and gives it publicity
and the voters do the rest.
For example, last year in Ohio the
candidates for the legislature We're
questioned and the Democrats all
pledged favorably while most of the
| Republicans refused to pledge and the
result was that enough of the Repub-
| licans scratched their tickets to elect
Democratic representation in the
Senate was increased nearly AS per
cent.
This year, owing to the favorable
conditions have outlined there
should be unquestioned success: I am
Informed that representative men
among the business and professional
| interests are organizing themselves in
to Referendum Leagues by counties
and it is expected that every district
| in the country will soon have its
league. Farmers State organizations
in at least sixteen States have declared
for the initiative and referendum and
every local Grange and Farmers
Union Will unquestiinably stand for
the time-honored right to instruct
Representatives.
Heretofore the Initiative and refer
endum cause has lacked an important
feature that is supplied in this years
| program. namely. the initiative system
/ is to be established at the opening Of
! the next congress and of the several
| legislatures. by pledging candidates TO
vote for rules of procedure and statute
| law, and then some initiative bills are
to be Immediately filed. This opportu-
! nifty for an immediate change in the
| c,-e+ap, of oovarnroeOt ~ 10 foI1nwe0