The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-23
PARTY OF THE PEOPLE
IS lAB0R'S ONLY HOPE
Mccarthy, Fitzgerald, Palmer and Kearney
Discuss Campaigns Vital Issues

battle for the requirement OF a repre-
sentative form or government.
I'VE see eminent citizens willing 10 sac
rihce time and opportunity, that men may
be elected 10 our state legislature who
will exercise a mind and intelligence OF
their own on legislative matters. without
the necessity OF bowling down before the
shrine OF a Brayton. who is not elected
to any office by the people. but who die
tates the form OF government that shall
exist without their consent.
Were the Democratic party appealing
to the voters on no other considerations
than these, every workingman. organized
or not, who believes in the enlargement
OF the peoples legislative opportunities,
and who values manhood above subser-
viency TO a boss. should set aside econom-
ic considerations TO work and vote for the
ticket Of the Lincoln and Democratic par
ties.
"It has come TO a condition in this state
that In the consideration OF all legislation
a boss is worshipped 10 the extent of for
getting principle. conscience. uprightness
and injustice. The time has arrived for
labor men 10 raise their voices in con-
demnation Of such servitude. and with all
reform forces TO Join In relegating indH-
ference to the peoples interests TO polit-
ical obscurity, 70 elevate the standard OF
legislation by the election OF sincere self
thinking and honest men. who, while wor-
shipping the dollar mark less, will honor
conscience, justice and humanity more.
THE Boss interference In legislation is
not confined wholly to the passage OF
measures affecting the corporate interests
which he so ably represents II descends
from the donation OF a corporate fran
chise TO refusal OF the smallest act OF re-
lief against those who wish 10 do the peo.
pie wrong.
Let me relate to you an experience
with the legislative power OF this un-
crowned political king of Rhode ISL
and"
Mr.. Kearney then related his personal
experiences and those OF some other la
Dor men In their attempts to secure the
mechanics lien law and 70 kill the un-
Incorporated associa tions bill. TIe told Of
repeated attempts to get the measure out
OF the committee rooms. all Of which
failed for the better part of three ses-
sions OF the legislature, until finally
some one suggested that he and his
friends call upon the boss in his office.
This was done; and after talking over
the strength OF the labor vote with Boss
Brayton, the latter assured him that the
mechanics lien law would tie passed. This
was done. but 80 amended as TO be ia
vorable TO the employers. The same thing
had TO be done with the other measures (;
but none OF them was made laws simply
because the Boss was looking too closely
after the corporate interests of tne state
Continuing, Mr. Kearney said:
Attempts are being made In this cam
paign to iRjure some OF the Democratic
candidates by charging them with defend
ing proceedings against union labor.
Others who are not candidates but who
are desirous of aiding the Democrats
party In the establishment OF representa-
tive government. are also being referred
to as unfair TO labor interests by agen-
fNfn uhn ont L. hat o
tion that both the defence and ridicule OF
labor belong to them. particularly the lat
ter.
Instead OF personal attempts at injury.
the labor people should unite in support
OF the Democratic party. which has al
ways opposed government by Injunction,
and has always advocated national legis-
lation that will tend TO remove the causes
by which those who treat with labor and
those who employ II are in such instances
considered unfair.
Then there are those who think IL un-
fair To condemn the party Of Brayton as
n party for the acts OF few individual Is
OF this party.
"Since the individuals I'm their consid-
Grafton OF all legisla tion--no matter how
convincing the argument OF the opposi-
tion to such legislation may be-vote
invariably at all times one and the same
that does not include his entire party.
"In the house OF congress and in the
senate the actions Of the party OF Bray
ton In its treatment Of the working peo-
pie OF this country are very much akin
to the treatment accorded them by the
same party here.
"In the national house of representa-
tives II was the party OF Brayton who
voted for the annulment OF the eight hour
To- ~, he Do
1T Is the party OF Brayton the country
over that has encouraged government by
injunction.
1T was the party Of Brayton who voted
for the employment OF Chinese at 9 cenN
per hour in the Panama canal construc-
tion.
West Indian negroes were at first en-
gagged 10 do the work. and in the mean
time the canal commission were an
nouncng TO the world that all was lovely:
and the commission was just the best boss
ever.
The commission was Offering fabulous
wages TO the negroes Though they should
have saved money. yet II was found that
those who returned 10 British territory
were pennieSs. The wages were not "a
promised and the landlords and pluck
me stores did their refined job Of robbing
in the manner that has made many thou
sands heartsick.
THE British OFFICIALS took measures 10
protect them. and finally insisted that
none should leave home until there was
deposited 10 his credit sufficient for re-
turn ticket This is the business the par
~ OF Rrayton had the United states gov
ernment engage in. employing labor un-
der conditions which English aristocrats
deemed unfit for plantation negroes.
"yVhat purpose could there have been
behind such a regulation except plain
robbery ora desire to drive that class OF
labor from the field that Chinese may De
emnloved9 No wonder Americans
wouldn't go down. the truth Is, they were
not wanted
Worst OF all-most obnoxious 10 Ameri-
can ideals-is the manner In which TINS
Chinese labor Is sought Men are asked
70 bid and give the price at which they
will furnish the labor OF $500 Chinese
thereby introducing a labor condition IN
our country that spells chattel slavery
IN fact II that Is not trading In human
nesh, what is it, There is no excuse IN
I. - that there Is not