The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-24
TUESDAY, JULY ~, 1906.
ORGANIZED LABOR IN POLITICS.

Conservatism and sanity are the dominant
qualities of the address to organized labor and its
friends just issued by the executive council of the
American Federation OF Labor. 1t is broad in con-
ception and carefully avoids every temptation to
project union labor into politics as partisan organ
ization.
! The end aimed at is to give to the ballots Of
working men the full force and effect they should
Tightully have in support of those principles which
organized labor maintains and those measures
which it deems essential for its webeing, its pro-
gress and its prosperity.
1t is not through revolution, through indus
trial warfare by venturng into the field OF party
politics separate organization that union labor
seeks to achieve its purposes This is made clear
by the declaration in the address that Labor makes
no demand upon government or society which is
not accorded to all the people of the country
The political machinery in existence is TO
be made use of rather than attacked There is 10
purpose to supplant it, but to employ 1t SO as 70
secure the independence of the labor VOTE to the
end that effective results may be obtained apart
from all partisan combinations.
On this point the address is clear and explicit
at should be determined effort it says, free
absolutely from partisanship of every and
character, to secure the legislation deem neces
sary and essential to the welfare and happiness Of
all our people.
While provision is made for political action
distinct from that of the existing parties it is only
to be resorted to as extreme measure, for the
address distinctly says: Wherever both parties
ignore labor legislative demands, a straight labor
candidate should be nominated, SO that honest men
may have the opportunity, in exercising their fran
chise, to vote according to their conscience instead
of being compelled either to refrain from voting
to vote for the candidate and the party they must
in their innermost souls despise."
1t is solemnly impressed upon those engaged
in it that "the movement must be guided by the
fact that the principles for which they stand muse
be of primary consideration and office secondary.
Thus it is made plain that this momentous
movement is not in the direction OF separate and
distinct labor party, hostile to existing political
organizations but in the direction of absolute indie
pendence, an independence that will render the
labor vote potential and effective.
In brief the address counsels organized labor
to support those candidates who are honest and
capable and who will legislate for the welfare OF
labor no less than for the common good
Here in Rhode Island, the Wage Earners' clubs
that have recently come into existence, will have
difficulty in deciding to which existing party they
will give their support in the present campaign.
Every law of benefit to labor in force in the
state today is Of Democratic origin and it is only
through triumph of the Observation-Disclosures
forces next November organized labor in this COM
monwealth can hope for that legislation it demands
and for that preferment to which it is of right en-
titled.
From the party of Braytonsm it expect
nothing but empty promises before election and
open hostility after the votes are counted