The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-06-13

: 1na. me innPosslDility 81 reconc1lng the
wnich they hold what can be done to
so unite their: strength, that the bal
ance Of power which they hold in the
industrial districts can be applied? .5
| ""The only: answer Is found in their
1becoming $50 independents of. party lines
that on election lay, they will sup
port those candidates who stand
aeaf 70 snS G0t %o4R tof the the assa
those who are opposed to them. This
is the very thing the business men and
employers are doing today.
wat has been accomplished by this
independent voting is furnished by, the
temperance. ovement.~ For years there
existed prohibition Party };Et with r Its
churcnes gave their support, and the
most prominent citizens gave. their
voice and their financial assistance
eontpel e Of many sp 81 the daily papsrs in
addition to their official organs. That
this party. became quits. factor IN
some districts is undenfabls, but as q
political factor, it was failure ana
| It proved unable through its political
! methods to secure the legislation Is
sought, except in few instances.
During the past two years taS Pro
gained control In districts and in en-
tire states. where previously Typ but LITTLE
had been accomplished t;s ,t Ih1 t; sTea as
p pek mHd tactics of the tie
advocates. The leaders in the tenn
realize that their political party had
weakened rather than strengthened
their legislative efforts. -,
'The former method Of party poll
tics was discarded, and In Its place a
purely ,-non-partisan independent polit-
1cal movement, the Anti-Saloon League,
was organized. The league had no
political platform, and no o member per
public office. It was composed OF men
Of diverse political affiliations who
desired to have prohtbitory legislation
passed; but who on all other questions
"Wnat made this league such: q
powerful factor was It's methods and
tactics. When candidates for any rep
resentative office lad been nominated,
they were interviewed by tine leagues
committee and one. direct question
fiona ton, and if elected viii you vote for a
prohibition law?' That was all, and
upon the answer. given, the leagues
action: was based. Only those who
Inhibition law received the Leagues sup
port, AMI all Of its strength and influ-
ence was used to defeat any candidate
who was either lukewarm or opposed
| 10 the DEOQlOltlOu movement.
I "As the members Of the league con-
trolled the political balance Of power
in almost every district, they. were
able through this method of accom-
had failed to achieve during those long
years when their efforts to secure the
legislation desired had been confnel
party mEhoa5 fhe
loon League was able to secure the
political support of all those desiring
prohibition, regardless of their polit-
ical affiliations. =.
'1t is by stmialr methods that the
trade unions must work to secure
much Of the Legislation they desire in
this way they can unite their political
which they control, secure the election
Of those who are pledged to vote for
labor's measures, and ~iefeat those
opposed or Indifferent to labor's well
| fare. Sx.:". ..<. -.,l -
"Organized labor can do nothing
which would make q deeper Impression
upon the nations representatives than
\ pendenee and their determination to
support their friends and defeat their
ensmies: To EN- eavor to launca q new
political party, or to give official en-
would SO divide and weaken our
strength that the dominant political
parties would lose all fear Of mourning
our displeasure. +. =, s#,
my fellow. delegates. have spoken
at length, perhaps too long, but the
occasion Is SO momentous I would be
untrue to my most profound convic-
dwelling upon the important issues be-
fore u.s. So s e
4 .,otnsr organizations Of labor ante
eding ours nave faced experiences
!. more critical and decisive than the one
through which we are now passing;
some. Tell into pitfalls set for them,
facing the most crucial moment: Of our
existence and for this reason Thave
striyen@ to engage my best Judgment,
the labor movement, In arriving at the
81 opinions herein soeimperfectly. outlined.
+ trust our deliverances at this con-
J vention will rebound to the glory and
reason to be optimistic While the
present seems 5shrouded in gloom, over
n the ea hoT,izoa where the
ity beyond the Yerdant hill tops, there
beams morning light laden with
assurance. Although at the. top the
Justice, and assaulting labor, under
meath there is growing, and rapidly
dssY,elopinE demand for more ore eauit-
on the.side OF humanity. only the hired
scribblers OF the capita istic press. and
the faW mi sycoRnants Of privilege
l.
The intelligent men and women,
! who have been purchased. and whose
= souls are free are stan ding with their
faces toward the morning singing new
songs OF liberty. 8 81 ~
These higher ideals will in time
shape destiny, and crystalline into new
!. INSTITUTE ons. They vii give to- the
world q new age. and 81 new civtl ixa,-
llStion. g. new morning will dawn ra-
I diaht with the splend ors OF freedom
4 land the children OF toll will come into
y their Inheritance
Eternal vigilance Is the price OF In
!, fd,1strial liberty Let the hosts Of labor
J IN this generation remain sturdy and
true 10 the nanda tes Of today Il ia
q mot our cause alone, for hitch wanar9
triumphs Of this ctvi ation Will be
lIsprtcAleSss heritage to- deltvers to- olly
lchildren. and t0a on blu reI'
! 'l01T effort ms 30. nnappreciated
i sand our struy ylss bout esnaing IN