The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-05-04
City Platform of the Socialist Party

We the Socialist Party OF tho Guy
of Charleston do hereby endorse the
National and State Socialist Plat
form of 1905
The people of this country are
rapidly awakening and recognizing
the fact that too little attention has
been paid to the management OF the
municipal affairs in most OF the lead
ing American cities. The great mass
of the people themselves are til
blame. for this general neglect of
civil Iu oni lack r: higher
standard If t'Ilc pride.
The oil '.a:tIcal party machines
dcGenerated into Instruments Of
graft until the term Of Dubli: Office
became synonymous with graft.
Under such misSovcrn.nent the very
foundation OF our democratic form
of government is bounl to suffer Sc
vcrely. tn cause OF this political
bankruptcy is cue to the general neg
lect of duty on the part OF the peo-
pie, who 'bl'ndly and carc:essly on
trust the management OF their mil
nlcipal affairs to the marcenary 30
lttical machines of Capitalism.
The result of this dcploraDla state
Of affairs is general decentralization
influence and guidance of capitalis:
corporation interests
The present Bi-Partizan system OF
government as now exist in tie city
of Charleston have failed to provide
the city with progressive municipal
administration. But has done moth
ing more than 4 partnership between
the corrupt politician of the two old
parties, placing the entire city adj
ministration in the hands OF the ma
chine politicians and placing the poo
pie at the mercy of the special in
terest. In view of the fact that the
great majority of the people are
Working class take 4 more active
part i'll the political struggles, in
order to bring about the desired pub
lie Improvements.
Both old parties have become the
agencies of the capitalist class and
carry on their political work. to the
great detriment of the wealth-pro-
duccrs.
Municipal government is insti-
tutcd for the protection of the peo-
Die. not FOR the purpose of becom-
ing the instrument: of community by
capitalist cliqueS and corporation in
terests.
The Socialist Party. while realiZ-
ing that Socialism in its final effects
will benefit all the people. insists
that no political party can represent
the interests OF all people under the
present capitalist conditions. The
Socialist Party takes pride announce
ing that its supreme efforts arc to
icfcnd and represent the interests
Of the working class.
Ia; -
our political mission that we enter
this municipal campaign to bring
about the reforms and improvements
in the management OF the public af-
fairs and to strengthen the political
| organization of the working class,
| with 4 view of incrca sing the power
and influence of the wealth produc-
crs. SO necessary in the great strug-
gle for the emancipation of labor
from the bonds of wage slavery.
The working people of Charleston
| must get together like our comrades
| in Milwaukee under the Banner of
| the Socialist Party and take posses
sion of the City Hall by means of
their united vote.
For immediate relief we advocat @
| the following measures:
We denouncc the present so-called
| Bipartisan city charter.
We stand for the enactment of a
new charter, which will more fully
| give to the people the following:
Home Rule.
The Initiative, referendum and re-
call.
more economical city govern
| ment. by dlsposinS of surplus officials
BY abolishing the Board OF Affairs.
BY combining the Offices of Mayor
| and Police Judge
BY combining the offices of Record
| CT and Auditor; thereby leaving the
| administration of the City in the
| hands of the mayor and Common
| Council.
| Abolition of the present public
contract system: all public work to
| be under supervision of the City and
all work to be performed by citizens.
We dem and the following:
| Municipal ownership of public
utilities
| a new municipal building.
! A City owned Market House.
| new and free bridge across Kan
awha river.
! Public baths, Toilets and .Waitin e
| Rooms