The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1906-08-03

are as much, il not more, Interested n
good government than our fellow cit1-
zens in other walks of life. 10 line
with the contention herein stated, the
American Federation of Labor made
it's declaration of political policy, as
already quoted above. And in line
Herewith we hope, and have the right
to expect, to arouse the citizenship of
our common country, interested in
good government, to the apathy OF
hostility sof the party in power to the
real interests of the people, so that
men more honest, faithful and pro-
gressive may be elected as the peo-
pies representatives.
IF it has come to condition in this,
the greatest and wealthiest nation on
earth, that the almighty dollar is to be
worshiped to an extent of forgetting
principle, conscience, uprightness and
justice, the time has arrived for labor
and it's friends to raise their voices in
condemnation of such degeneracy, and
to invite all reform forces to join with
it in RELOCATING Indifference to the peo-
pies interests, corruption and graft to
political oblivion; to raise the stand
ard OF legislation by the election of
sincere, progressive and honest men
who, while worshiping money less, will
honor conscience, justice and human
ity more.
I'VE recommend that central bodies
and local unions proceed without delay
by the election of delegates to meet in
conference, or convention, to formu-
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 OPP
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 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
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 mem
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 wholesome effect
upon the government, as well as the
interests of it's 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
in the United States not do with uni
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
porters are chosen as their representa-
lives.
Advantages Won by Sacrifices.