The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-09-23
James Duncan. Second In Command to Samuel
Gompefs. Writes Letter Declaring the
Absolute Independence From Patl.
sanshlp Of the American Fed.
Grafton Of Labor.

James Duncan, First vice-presi-
dent Of the American Federation
OF Labor and International Secre-
tary-Treasurer of the Granite Cut
tiers International Association of
America, has sent out numerous
identical letters declaring the alb
solute independence from PARTISAN
ship OF the American Federation OF
Labor. The letter is written on
the stationery OF the Granite Cut
ters' Union. Mr.. Duncan is next
in command OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor to Mr.. Gompers,
AND his letters are direct repudi-
alton of the attitude OF tho Presi-
dent of the American Federation
of Labor in taking the organization
into politics and ezerting his influ-
ence to elect Bryan and Kern. MT.
Duncan is not advising union work.
ingmen to vote either for Bryan or
Taft. but to rely on their own judg-
ment, and to exercise their own in
dividual preference. The letter Is
as follows:
MY Dear Sir:
Your inquiry is similar to a
number of other inquiries on the
same subject, and, therefore, needs
the general answer.
THE labor movement of our
country, in as far as the political
situation is concerned, is now, as
heretofore, independent of parties.
Those who have given the greatest
thought to the subject within the
ranks of organized labor have been
busy from year to year, for long.
time, as part of their trade union
ism, teaching, or at least advising,
organized workers to not be bound
to any particular party, but to vote
for the principles they believed
were for the greatest good to the
greatest number of all the people,
and that If any person aspired to
public Office to deal with the aspir-
ant upon his merits, and not be-
cause of his belonging or not be-
longing to any particular party.
The Intensity of recent events has
caused more activity among the
organized workers, in as far as po-
litical affairs are concerned, than
in the past, and we may expect, as
men become educated to the public
needs and study the science of
government, they will become still
more active politically.
1.-THE labor movement advises
study of the different subjects and
principles OF the great political
parties, and admonlshes each or
ganized worker who is a citizen
and voter (and all should quail
ify as fully as possible in both
ways) to cast his vote on election
day in strict accordance with his
conscience as to what would be the
best for the whole people.
THE hue and cry sent out by
portion Of the public press, that
the labor vote was being bartered,
Is but one of the forms of political
buncombe which is used for exag-
geration and to befog the public
mind. The views, beliefs and in
clinations of candidates for public
Office should in each instance be
carefully scrutinized by all good
citizens, and which includes all
voting, organized workers, instead
of simply voting for a man because
he may hold certain party affilia-
lions. and the election this year
and the campaign leading up to 1t,
as far as organized labor Is con-
cerned, will be no exception to that
rule. Very truly yours,
JAMES DUNCAN"