The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-05-02

pockets, where the opportunity pre-
sented Itself. In many states, this
proved successful to degree. When
it was not possible to do this candi-
dates, for office were questioned and
their records noted, and where they
expressed themselves favorable to la
boris measures, regardless of party,
they received the support of labor.
The action of every member of tho
60th congress in regard to labor's
measures and interests has been care.
fully noted and this information will
be available in every district for cam
paign purposes. :.
In addition to the efforts made in:
the congressional campaign in 1906, the,
results accomplished in the various
states, in the elections of our friends,
to the state legislatures, a we'll as to
municipal offices, should not be lost
sight OF. We will publish later some
statistics on that point. rs:-5sy-s ~.
The policy advocated. by the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor was effec-
lively carried out by the state and
central labor bodies, in many instances
successfully In 1906, and they will be
prepared this year to profit by that
experience and accomplish still
greater results. >..
Ihe practicabiltty of our political
movement has demonstrated itself in
the action Of the 60th congress. Men,
bers Of that body who, prior to the
last election, imagined that labor
measures were something with which
to play the game Of. "battledore and
shuttlecock," and who were either hos:
tile or Indifferent, have now realized
that even where they were not de-
feated, yet the enormous reductions in
the pluralities, a singing rebuke had
been administered them, and their rec
ord will be made the basis for future
action at the hands of the, workers.
Already can be seen the handwriting
on the wall and without fear of con-
tradiction it can be said that labor will
guard its interests and make it's poll
tical power felt to a greater degree
IN the next congress than in former
ones, and better results will be OBJ
tained.
One Of the greatest difficulties that
mas to be overcome in the utilization
dOAeronCo
to party organization by a large num-
ber of workers who can give no logical
reason for their action. Indeed. it is
a fact that in innumerable instances
a large number Of: our citizens for,
gone ON ~blindly voting for,
either one OF the two, great parties,
and could give no other reason for
doing so except that their father or
grandfather had voted that way and
they continued in their practices.
Times have changed since then and
new circumstances demand new use
Of the voting power.
It is against this sort of action that
the American Federation of Labor has
oeen carrying on an agitation. for
years, advising it's members to discon-
tlnue this procedure. It has endeav-
ored to inspire them to think and act
politically for themselves. rather than
have the party boss dictate for them.
Our men Of labor should realize that
principle is far more important than
party domination. The results, so far.
OF our independent action "have sur.
prised and in many instances created
CONSERVATION among party machines
and party dictators. At no time in
the history of our movement was there.
so much independent voting as there
was in the last campaign. The spirit
is growing rapidly; there will be far
better results this year.
Party machines and bosses can
readily cope with organized rivals. al
ways knowing their strength and their
weakness, and can easily cause di.-
sens1on among the latter to the confu-
sion and ultimate disruption Of the
rival movement. Party leaders appre-
ciate. the potency Of the independent
voting power. It causes them much
loss Of sleep and trouble. They fear
the growth of this spirit of indepndent
voting more than anything else. as
they realize that it means their ulti-
mate destruction as dictators.
; The policy of Independent voting
will be continued with a renewed
vigor. 1t is already deeply inn pressed
upon the minds Of the workers that
for them to be absolutely free from
party domination and political slavery
they should always and ever bear in
mind that: "they ~who would be free
must first strike the blow"
The American workingman is fast
shaking off the coils Of the party boss
and dictator, and in the future will
continue to assert himself a free man
politically.
Yes, after all is said and done. the
last campaign from the viewpoint Of
the American Federation of Labor was
a success, and there is every reason to
hope that the impending campaign will
be greater one. Labor will continue
to exercise it's political activity to pro-
tect Its rights, and defend them, not
only for the present but for the future,
D1sT1LLER IS CONVICTED
OF REVENUE FRAUDS
RICHMOND Va April zs.-Presi-
dept Angle OF the Dry Fork Dtstillins