The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-08-04
Before Declaring for Political Ac-
tion Labor Sent Bill Of Griev-
ances to Congress-This Was
1gnored-Patience then Ceased
to be Labor's Virtue.
Congress, in the Throes of the
Great Insurance Companies, the
Trusts, the so-called Captains
OF 1ndustry-Listens to their
Threats and Betrays Labor.
The Program-stand by the Tried
and True Friends Of Labor
Vote for Your Friends, and
Against Your Enemies Nom
mate Labor Candidates Where
Consistent,

The first concern of all should be
the positive defeat of those who have
been hostile or Indifferent to the lust
demands OF labor. A singing rebuke
to them will benefit not only the toll
ers but the people of the entire coun-
try.
Wherever both parties ignore labor's
legislative demands straight labor
candidate should be nominated, so that
honest men may have the opportunity
In exercising their franchise to vote
according to their conscience instead of
being compelled either to refrain from
voting or to vote for the candidate
and the party they must in their in
nermost souls despise.
Stand BY Your Friends.
Where a Congressman or State Leg
gislator has proven himself q true
friend to the rights of labor he should
be supported and no candidate nomi-
mated against him.
This movement must not degenerate
into scramble for office 1t should
be determined effort, free, absolutely,
from parttsanshlp OF every name and
character, to secure the legislation we
deem necessary and essential to the
welfare and happiness of all our peo-
ple. AS the present objects of this
movement are purely in the line Of
legislation, all efforts should be con-
centrated upon the election of men,
bers Of Congress and the various State
legislatures.
10 make thts-our movement-the
most effective the utmost care should
be taken to nominate only such union
men whose known intelligence, honesty
and fa1thfulness are conspicuous. They
should be nominated as straight labor
representatives. and stand and be sup
.RaEtsd as sue hy I'M lon apsapd their.
fffiendsS and syInpat hizefs. q irrespective
Of previous political afriliation. Z
Nominate Labor Men.
Wherever It Is apparent that an en-
tirely independent laOor candidate can
not be elected, efforts should be made
to secure such support by Endorsement
of candidates by the minority party in
the districts and by such other pro-
gressive elements as will insure the
election of labor representatives.
All observers agree that the CAM
paign OF our fellow-workmen of Great
Britain has had wholesome effect
upon the government, as the interests
Of It's wage-earners, and the people
generany Of that country. In the last
British elections 81 trade unionists
were elected to Parliament II the
British workmen with their limited
franchise, accomplished so much by
H,o}r ,v.jf f1I
United States not do with universal
suffrage?
In order to systematically carry out
the policy and work necessary to this
campaign, the Executive Council of the
American Federation of Labor has Sc
lected the following members as the
Labor Representation Committee",
Samuel Gompers, James OConnell,
Frank Morrison.
Principle First-O6ice Next.
: Those earnestly engaged In our
movement must, we repeat, be guided
by the fact, that the principles for
which we stand must be of primary
consideration, 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 1t that the best, most
conscientious men OF labor or their
supporters are chosen as their repre-
sentatives.
Reports and returns should be made
to the headquarters Of the Labor Re-
presentation Committee (Which will be
located in the offices OF the American
Federation of Labor), who will give
the best possible information and ad-
vice on uniform procedure.
Whatever vantage ground or. i'm
proved conditions have come to the
workers of our country were not
brought to them on silver platters;
they are the result of their better or