Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1908-10-09
James Duncan, Second In Command to Samuel
eompers, Writes Letter Declaring ths
Absolute independence from PaIu-
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.
ters' International Association OF
America, has sent out numerous
identical letters declaring the aD-
solute independence from partlsahs
shin of the American Federation Ol
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 a direct repudi-
alton of the attitude of the Presl-
dent of the American Federation
of Labor in taking the organization
into politics and eIerting his inIlu-
ence to elect Bryan and Kern. MT.
Duncan is not advising union Work
inqmen to vote either for Bryan or
Taft but to rely on their own Juds-
ment. and to exercise their own IN
dividual preference. The letter Is
90 September II, 1908.
my Dear Sir: lilo 60
i
number of other inquiries on the
same subject, and, therefore, heeus
the general answer.
soThe labor movement OF our
country, in as far as the pollIlcai
situation is concerned, Is now, as
heretofore, Independent OF parties,
Those who have given the greatest
thought to the subject WITHIN Ihe
ranks of organized labor have Deeh
busv from year to year, for long
time as mart of their trade union
ism teaching, or at least advising,
organized workers to not be bound
IN anv particular party, but to vote
for the principles they believed
4 we're for the greatest good to the
4 greatest number of all the people
and that If any person aspired TO
nub1ic office to deal with the asplr-
ami upou his merits. and not pc
Rcause of his belonging or not De-
longing to any particular party,
THE Intensity Of recent events mas
caused more activity among Ine
4 organized workers, in as far as po-
Il Iitical affairs are concerned, thah
in the mast, and we may expect. as
mon become educated to the publlc
needs and study the science OF
4 government, they will become sun
more active politically. ,
"The labor movement ADVISES
study of the different subjects ana
nrinciples of the great political
6arties. and admonishes each or
eanized worker who is either
land a voter land all should quar-
ifv as fully as possible in botf
wavs) to cast his vote on electioI
dav in strict accordance with ms
conscience as to what would be the
hest for the whole people.
''The hue and cry sent out by
norton of the public press, tina
Inc labor vote was being bartered
Is hut one Of the forms OF politlca
buncombe which is used for exag
geration and to befog the publi
mind. The views. beliefs and IN
clinations Of candidates for publ
ONCE should in each instance b.
carefully scrutinized by all gooo'
citizens, and which includes al
voting. organized workers, instead
of simply voting for a man becaus
he may hold certain party atilla
tions. and the election this yea
and the campaign leading up to II
as far as organized labor is con
fcerned. will be no exception 10 ina
rule. Very truly yours, ~
JAMES DUNCAN