The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-08
LABOR IN THE CAMPAIGN.


II has been the contention OF labor in this
state that it has never been given that considera-
ton in legislation and that political preferment to
which by the justice of its cause and the number
and intelligence OF its adherents it is entitled
The Republican party which has dominated the
legislature for decades has not only denied the
reasonable demands of labor for ameliorative legis.
lation but it has treated with contempt the claims
OF labor to representation in the law-makng and
other branches of the state government.
This is fact known TO every intelligent wa.;e
worker in the state 1t is revealed in the record Of
legislation in the measures that have been shorn OF
most of their efficacy before they passed, and
still more significantly in the large number oi bills
that have been sent to the pgeon-hoe graveyard of
committees acting under Braytonsm's commands
Every effort of labor to secure representation
on Republican tickets has been ignored, and yet
many wage workers have in the past allowed them
selves to be duped into supporting Republican can
ddates by promises of future consideration both
in legislation and in the distribution of Offices
These promises were false. They were made
to be broken and they broken. Braytonism
never has and never will have any sincere sympathy
with the cause of labor. Braytonism is allied with
selfish and grasping corporations. 1t finds it more
profitable to secure perpetual franchises in the
public thoroughfares for corporations that pay
handsomely for the service, than to give labor the
legislation it believes desirable and necessary TO
the betterment of its condition
Braytonism is the friend of the corporations
and the foe of labor When it makes pledge to
assist labor it is only as bribe for votes and it is
pledge that is never fulfilled
While in the past there may have been some
excuse for those workingmen who supported at the
polls the candidates of party that persistently
and consistently ignored their requests for legis-
lation, and houted their demands for representation
there will be no excuse whatever for such course
in the coming election.
The workingman who casts a ballot for any
candidate put forward by Braytonism, and every
Republican candidate must bear Braytonisns S
brand to secure place on the Republican ticket,
will vote against the interests Of labor and in favor
of labor's secret powerful and reacherous enemy.
In the coming election labor has an oppor-
tunity never before offered it OF proving its own
consistency we'll as its loyalty to the party that
has fought its battle unfnchingy and TO whose
friendlness, devotion and determination it owes
every law of any practical value TO the toiling
thousands a part OF the statutes OF Rhode
Island.
Not only has the Democratic party been a
sympathetic and consistent friend OF the wage
workers of the state, but it has proven its sincerity
by initiating and supporting every measure that
promised the betterment of their condition Every
law in force today that is of benefit to the laboring
classes was either framed by Democrats or its
enactment forced by Democrats in the legislature.
In the present campaign the Democracy has
recognized organized labor by naming its cand
date for secretary of state man who for years
has held prominent place in labor's councils and
whose high character as a citizen and whose inte
gence and capabity have won the confidence and
esteem OF his fellow citizens without, as we'll as
within, the ranks OF labor.
Nor is there any doubt that labor will also
be given representation on the Democratic assem-
bly, tickets in this and other cities and towns in
the state. This is what labor has been demanding
for years. 1t is now up to labor to show by its
vote that its demand was justified.
II labor il true to its professions, il il is the
important and politically potent factor il claims to
be and ought to be- it has the opportunity before i,
Of demonstrating that fact beyond all question oy