The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-14
SATURDAY, JULY "a, 1906,
WAGE FARMERS IN POLITICS.

active participation in the political affairs of the city
and state is movement which il intellgently,
prudently and unselfshy directed cannot fail to
prove of great benefit not only to labor ITSELF but
10 the whole community.
Wage earners in this city constitute very
large part OF the electorate and there is no good
reason why their political power should not be cS-
erted in behalf OF candidates who recognize the
dignity of labor and who are willing TO promote
its welfare by Just and wise legislation.
1t is fact long recognized by wage earners
themselves and by their friends and well wishers,
that in the matter OF helpful and wise labor legsa-
ton Rhode Island is far behind Massachusetts,
The reason for this is not difficult to discover.
This state has been and still is in the grasp OF a
political oligarchy that has neither sympathy for
nor interest in the masses who toll. Braytonisin
has no use for the working man except on election
day when his ballot is sought with plenitude OF
promises made only to be broken
1t is the habit of Republicans when gathered
in convention TO review in grandoquent phrases
what the party has done in behalf OF labor. and 10
cunnngly assert that TO the Republican party labor
must look for further legislation calculated to
ameliorate its condition and increase its prosperity
The undisputed fact is, however, that every
law in the statutes today designed TO protect or
promote the interests of the wage workers OF the
state was Of Democratic authorship and origin.
There is not one OF these measures that did t'
arouse the hostility of the Republicans in the 6
eral assembly when first introduced
While il is true that they were finally
enacted by the aid of Republican votes it is equally
true these votes would not have been forthcoming
were it not for the fear that continued hostility
would arouse the active and aggressive opposition
OF the labor element
1t was not sincere wish to benefit labor but
Braytonism's fear of the power of labor's ballot
that brought about the passage OF such existing
laws as are of value to the wage workers OF Rhode
Island.
A significant illustration of Braytonisms atti-
= Il -txo1
when the Brayton board of canvassers and regis
traton refused TO visit any of the wards to keep
its office open evenings to give wage earning citi-
zens opportunity to register without undergoing
the penalty of loss OF time and pay.
Braytonsni sought through this subservient
board OF canvassers make registration difficult
possible for the citizen who tolls, and there is
not the least doubt that the boards npudent re-
fusal to provide reasonably adequate registration
facilities has left many hundreds OF wage workers
without ballot for the election next November
How solicitous Braytonism is of the interests
OF big corporations and how regardless it is OF the
rights and interests OF labor was revealed with
sinister emphasis three years ago in the matter Of
the ten-hour law for street railway employees.
A Republican general assembly during one Of
its infrequent spasms OF sense enacted law making
ten hours the limit of days work for motor
men and conductors. 1t was wise law that con-
ferred benefit the railway employees and gave a
greater assurance of safety to the travelling public,
with DraZen eHrontery MarSden j. Ferry s
Rhode Island company refused to obey the law.
It's open and fragrant defiance and violation OF this
statute precipitated strike that continued for FIVE
weeks at great cost TO the state and heavy loss
the wage workers involved, but with the aid OF the
military force of the commonwealth, which Bray
tonism placed at its disposal the Perry railway cor
poration won
But il continued its scandalcus violation of the
ten hour law. An attorney general who did not
Brayton collar secured the indictment OF the
law-breaking corporation and would no doubt have
brought about its sautary punishment had not
Braytonism intervened and forced supine legs-
lature to emasculate the ten-hour law, so that not
only did the Perry railway corporation escape all
punishment for its awless acts, but left free TO
compel its employees TO labor any number OF hours
its rapacty saw fit to demand.
These are facts known TO every intelligent
wage worker; and they have no doubt exercised a
potential influence in leading labor to seek through
the exercise OF its voting power just and
equitable treatment by the legislature and faircI
representation in the government under which il
lives and which it helps to maintain.
Wisely and Justly directed the Wage Farmers
club Just organized in this city can be made
tremendous power for the public good. II the self
seeking and mercenary element is sternly represseC
and rejected il men who wear the badge OF labor
for the treacherous purpose OF betraying labor:
interests cast out such organization will no
only be boon TO those II directly represents bu
an inestmable benefit 10 the entire community.
1t can exert a powerful influence in bringinl
about that fundamental and most essential OF al
reforms new and adequate constitution, TO ,,
written by convention representative OF all tn,
people OF the state OF Rhode Island.
L.