The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-30
THURSDAY, AUGUST go, 1906.
PROPER ACTION TAKEN.

The action OF the Pawtucket Central Trades
and Labor union in refusing by emphatic vote to
pledge the members of the organization to support
the candidates of the Socialists, was judicious
and wise Labor gain nothing from afiliatiol
with the Socialist party, which maintains theories
not merely impractical, but actually dangerous.
Socialism may be honest enough in its pur-
poses, but in practice it would be terribly unjust
The wage worker has many burdens to bear, but
they will not be lightened through the agency Of
Socialism. Rather would they be made heavier
if the peculiar teachings OF the Socialists were put
into practice. Obviously the wage workers Of
Pawtucket, represented in the Central body,
realize this, for they have with an emphasis that
is convincing of their sincerity, refused to entangle
themselves with the elusive and delusive doctrines
OF Socialism.
In another way also the wage workers of
Pawtucket have shown they are jealous of their
political rights and know how to punish those
who would rob them of their prerogatives. The
Pawtucket Typographical union has followed the
example of the union in this city in declaring op,n
war on all candidates of the Republican party, be-
cause OF the cavalier treatment OF a measure m
tended to secure justice to wage workers in the
printing trades
The measure provided for the establishment
of an eight-hour day for all persons employed by
the state, either directly indirectly, by contract
Supported by petition containing the names of
about 10000 laboring men, every electo,
tn. bill was introduced in the house of representa-
tives and it was referred to the committee special
legislation.
That committee throttled it, Just as it smothered
in secret many other worthy measures upon which
Braytonsm had set the seal of its condemnation.
At the time there was no difficulty in finding the
reason for this killing of bill supported by large
and worthy part of the citizenship. Braytonism
suppressed it, not because it was either unwise or
questionable, but because it would affect the
interests of firm that for decades has enjoyed
monopoly of the state printing. The head of this
firm has been and is today active agent OF the
Brayton machine, though his hepfuness has been
much lessened since the right-thinkng citizens
of Central Falls retired him from service in the
general assembly
He remains loyal to Braytonism however and
whatever he can do in the line of perpetuating
Braytonisms mchievous hold upon the govern
ment OF the state he will do gladly and enthusias
ticay. Braytonism knowing this, deliberately
killed the eight hour bill in committee in order to
conserve the business interests of this particular
henchman and permit him 10 continue to
draw about $4,000 year from the public treasury
for work in which he is cunnngly safeguarded
against competition.
Among the 10000 names on the petition asking
for the passage of the eight-hour bill those
Of hundreds OF Pawtucket citizens. They believe
they scandalously treated when their request
was sent to the graveyard of the committee m
special legislation and the Typographical union
has properly voiced their sentiments by voting to
oppose every candidate named by the Republic 4
party, which is the sponsor for Braytonsm
This is practical and proper method of show.
ing the Brayton oligarchy that union labor ,,n
make effective its resentment against the pol;ticsl
agency that has denied its reasonable request Tor
just legislation. Supporting Socialisc candidates
would be simply to squander abor's political power
and accomplish nothing in the end
A L.