The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-08-22
* Organized Labor and Democracy ~

The Journal of Labor believes that
organized labor throughout the country
should rally to the support of the Dem
OCratic presidential ticket on account
of what TRANSFERRED at Chicago and at
Denver. and because of the adoption
of the pIanks in the platform of the
Democratic party as advocated by
President GOmDers and the executive
council Of the American Federation
of Labor
Inasmuch however. as this question
of organized labor endorsing political
parties or platforms. Is a most import
ant subject. and should be guarded
hv well defined limitations and agree
ably to the principles and tenets OF
trldcs-uuiUrism. and IN order that
tine Journal of Labor may not be mis-
understood We shall attempt TO eN-
plain the attitude of OTEauied labor
toward partfes and politics generally
speaking. and briefly refer to the
causes which led up to the stand taken
nv NIr- Gomper~ and the executive
council. and set forth what the Jour
nal Of Labor believes was, and Is. the
real purpose of Mr. GOmpers and his
able Iieutcnants. in recommending the
Democratic ticket to the favorable
consideration of the tOileTS Of the
country.
First The trade union movement
is Fundamentally. an economic move
mpnt II primarily. has to do with
the matter of fair wages. and an eight
hour wOrkday and suitable and sani-
tarv conditions and environments of
labor.
The accomplishment of these ends
necessarily work for the benefit and
hcttprment of those who toll in the
larger possession Of the SOOd things
of life. so to speak. not only the neCes-
stiles. but the comforts. yea. the lux
uries of me. if YOU please sufficient
hours of rest and recreation. and Op-
pOrtunities for culture; and lastly.
the safeguarding and protection OF
the lives. and limbs and health. of
employees as they toll
Toward these splendid ends organ
lied labor has nObly striven, has
struggled increasingly against odds
which at times appeared OveTwhelm-
ing. and which SOTeIy tried the souls
Of its votaries. and it has made splen-
did progress toward the accomplish
me7t of such ends
Such struggle viii 90 on and on. I'M
ceasingIy. as long as the wage system
prevails or until employers every
where freely and fully accord 70 Ia
Dor its ju-t proportion of the joint
products of capital and labor
Fundamentally, the trade union
movement is opposed to the formation
of an independent pU-'ticaI party
within its ranks. Organized labor can
not afford to run the risk OF endanger-
ing or sacrificing its endeavOrs IN the
larger field of economics. by commit
ting itself to the uncertain, shifting.
treacherOus domain OF polite
Where economies Questions OF
wages. hours Of labor. conditions of
work.. touch the trade uniOniSt nine
times. purely political questions will
touch him but once
Again. trade unionism having that
broader ground of fellowship upon
which all labor can make common
cause. / composed of men of diver
gent. political, religious and ethical
faiths.
Aad. except in well defined Iimita-
tions. and under special or emergent
conditions and circumstances. labor
cannot be amaIgamated or led And
IL will live ages after every eXIstin z
political party shall have passed away
forever
Under The guidance Of UnUise lead
! err organized labor attempted twice
in this country 70 convert the trade
union movement into a political move
ment. and such political movements
failed miSeTablv-
such movements. for the reasons
above stated, were fOreOrdained 10
defeat and disaster
But while organized labor may not
wisely form an Independent labor DO
liIiCaI party and expect all. OF a vast
majority OF the WOrkingmer 20 Co
aIesce into such party 50 as 10 form a
/ permanent. powerful. compact DoIiti
] cal agency. vet there IS much that il
can DO and safely. II the domain OF
politics
HarEen We mem bers OF organized
/ labor. with cold feet tendencies. #
such there be TO what Nr. Van CIeave
| says II American Industries, the or.