The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-12-14
Socialists Roll Up Big vote |
Continued from page one.D

This had great erect. on the wav-
ing women who had been lukewarm.
Strong arm work was done at the
polls in the section of the city where
the workers were in the Creates
number. In the wealthy portion OF
the Cit where the Socialists were
greatly outnumbcred there was little
difficulty in carrying things with /,
high hand
The money spent on election day
by the old Guard" is admitted 10
be over $4,000. They had thous-
and automobiles, many of which
were not used other than TO bear All
cxandar banners. The men who had
pledged the hire of their machines
t. the Socialists were in many liz
Stances bribcd, as high as $50 was
paid TO drivers to strip the Herman
banner from their machines and sub
Stitute Good Government" banners
In the opposition to the Socialists
was u compact group consisting of
the preachers, the saloon Keepers,
the proprietorS OF all the gambling
houses and houses of i'll fame. The
churches were still further aided by
the women who infest all the hotels
and apartment houses where the
white slave traffic is openly acknow-
lodged to exist. All of the corrupt
clement in the city banded together
and fought desperately to Keep the
Socialists out.
1t Is believed at least 5000 votes
were bought outright. The Social
lists nave much evidence OF this brib-
cry but nothing will come if il as
the district attorneys Office and all
the machinery OF the courts are Ia
the hands of the capitalistic element
that has succeeded in overwhelming
the workers. One negro woman con-
Tossed she had received money ana
bought = votes outright. She gave
the names and addresses of these
persons, mostly negro women. De-
spite the fact the Socialists had n
negro on .he ticket the good gov
eminent" organs boast they were
able to get" the negro vote away
from Whitley. This coiored can Al
date for the council received over
10000 votes and made a splendid
race despite the fact that his own
race deserted him when the sack was
opened in his district.
Before the wOmanS suffrage
amendment was put in the Califor-
niai constitution it was commended
that the womans vote would be cast
against the Socialists. II was con-
tended that even the working women.
and wives of the workers would not
stand solidly for their own. class:
The returns in this election, in their
face. bear out this contention. 1t
is claimed. however, and with con-
siderable ground for support. that
this was not Il fair test. 1t was
known that about = week before the,
election careful cauvcss was made
by the good government" people.
assisted by the Old Guard. The
result of this shovel that Hartman
was certain of election by at least
six thousand votes. This threw
CONSERVATION into the camp of the
capitaiistic party and in their dcs-
roTLtirn it was decided something
must be done to turn the tide.
The Mcnamara cases was the
most likely spot to strike. Then
cam" the great conspiracy. the con-
fession of guilt. the dramatic plea.
tie tragedy of the sentence on cleo
tiOn day. the terrific broadsides of
the daily press, claiming Hartman
was cogniZant OF the guilt of the
men; the Wild alarms that were
sent fourth to brighten the women
and tho timid men. All of this was
calculated to turn at least twenty
thousand votes and it was n SUCCESS
ful attempt. The women stampedcd
in thousands but SO did the men.
The Socialists had won their victory
and the entire ticket would probably
nave been elected if the politicians
had not sprung their coup.
Socialists are rejoicing over the
fact that over 10000 of their men
and women stood solid and firm in
til" face CT the terrific fire of the
".;"mE. All these, so far as have
been able to express themselves are
NOR" solidly for Socialism than be
lore and plans for 4 campaign fol
increased efficiency through party
membership will meet with great
success.
lie mon and women who arc on
me firing line are worn and OK
haustcu by their labors. The cam
paiSn committee is badly in debt as
much money was sent trying to turn.
the tide at the last hours after the
Mcnamara pleas were entered No
definite plan has been adopted toI
raise the money TO pay off the debt
1t viii re1ard the work of Los An
&@ies comrades for several mon tn :