The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-09-15
LABOR IN POLITICS.


Tn the Sunday Boston Globe four
prominent union labor men and So
cialist lawyer write in answer to the
question: What Right Has Labor to
Enter Politics." The first of these is
Mr.. Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor. He
says he cannot understand how any one
could think Of asking such a question,
for, Surely the men who labor do not
lose their right of citizenship, but they
have at their own will the absolute
right to enter the field of politics to
preserve and conserve their rights and
interests as men, as workers and as
citizens"
Mr. Gompers proceeds to assert
that the supreme court has interpreted
the Sherman antitrust law against
voluntary associations Of wage earners,
making labor unions unlawful cOmbi-
nations, and every member liable to
prosecution and heavy penalty, and
that there's has been most serious usur-
patton of individual liberty and hui
man freedom by the use of the writ of
injunct ton 1t has been used, he de-
clares, to suppress free speech and a
free, press. American workers, Mr..
Gompers says, are not playing pol
itics,' but 'are engaged in an earnest,
serious, determined contest today to Sc
cure the rights of the working people
and all our people; not in some future,
dim, distant day, but now
He scorns the accusation that there
is any attempt to barter, pledge or
dictate to labor's vote. The Federation
officials did not go to the party con-
ventiOns as republicans Or as demo-
Gratis. Workingmen as such are not at
tached to any party, and he continues:
''The men and the movement pro-
pose to be as independent after this
coming election as they are today, or
have ever been. They do, however
realize that tho democratic party and
its candidate have made labor's con-
tention their own. This party stands
pledged, if placed in power, to secure
labOr's rights. We would be recreant
to our trust and the duty we owe to
our fellow workers and our fellow cit
liens did We not support the democratic
campaign
Mr.. James Duncan of the Granite
Cutters International union says la
Dor has right to enter politics and
must enter politics, Because the in
fluence of the interests is exercised
on behalf of property versus humanity:
because the cog or turn of a wheel is
reckonad of more concern or value than
human life; because the new COM
mercialism places the Importance of
the worker below that of property;
because more than ever money is Wor-
shipped, however acquired, and labor's
productivity is expected to keep pace:
because products are protected beyond
reason, and those who toll are on the
free list"
. Arthur M. Watson of the Carpent-
ers' council places labor's right to act
in politics on the ground that labor
largely supports the government, and
taxation, both customs and internal,
bears heaviest on the plain people. -
Much good for workingmen has been
accomplished by labor taking part in
politics, though 'All progressive meas
ureS in the interests of the plain
people are fought and lobbied against,
and millions are spent to defeat the
just and equitable claims of labor. The
laborer has left the business of poll
Tics and government too long already in
the hands of those who seek to exploit
him and not benefit him."
Frank B. Monaghan of the Steam
Engineers union thinks that labor has
no right to keep out of politics. has
done SO too long. 1t has ''petitioned
begged and prayed congress for legis-
lation to promote the moral and indus
trial welfare of not only it's members,
but OF all the people, and has al
ways been refused
John Weaver Sherman. a socialist
says it is not only the right but the
duty of labor to enter politics and he
| advises all organized workingmen to
vote together, but he thinks they
should vote for neither Taft nor BRYAN
| but, of course, for Debs.
1t is we'll that labor is thus consid :
ering and discussing politics and legis-
latron, and decisions, and its relation
thereto. Some spokesman of labor NAV
| exaggeNate, some may be mistaken:
Dut In the main they are right when
they assert that the government does
not give labor a. square deal. A labor
| party can never succeed, any more
imam the prohibitionist or the socialist
party, but by largely throwing their
votes in one direction or the other. as
| between the big parties, one of which
Is sure to win, labor chm hold the bal
ance OF power, and can successfully
demand better treatment
Journal.