The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-06-01

/
Third Ward-Nf. A. Wagner. Tele-
graph Operator.
Fourth Ward-J. X. HamIick.
| Blacksmith.
We the Socialist Party OF the City
of Ronceverte do hereby endorse the
National and State Socialist Plat
form of 1908.
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
blame for this general neglect of
civil GUY ani lack -: higher
STA ndard rf CIVIC pride.
The oil 'sa:i:cal party MA chimes
ldegenerated into, Instruments of
graft until the term of public Office
became synonymous with graft.
Under such misgovernnent the very
foundation of our democratic form
of government is bounI to suffer Sc
verely. Th- cause OF this political
bankruptcy is cue to the general neg
lcct of duty on the part OF the peo-
pie, who bllndly and care.csSly en-
trust the management of their mu
nlclpal affairs to the mercenary Do-
litical machines of Capitalism.
The result of this deplorable state
of affairs is general decentralization
and political corruption. under the
influence and guidance of ca pitalis:
corporation interests.
The present system of govern
ment as now exists in the city
of Ronceverte have rallied to provide
the city with a progressive municipal
administration. But has done moth
ing more than a 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 peo-
| pie at the mercy of the special in
| tcrcst. In view of the fact that the
great majority of the people are
| working class take a more active
part in the political struggles. in
order to bring about the desired pub
| lie mprovements.
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-
ducers
Municipal government is insti-
tuted for the protection of the peo-
pie. 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 it's 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 in an
nouncing that its supreme efforts
are to defend and represent the in
terest of the working class.
1t is with a clear conception of
our political mission that we enter
this unicipal 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 view of increasing the power
and influence of the wealth produc- |
ers. SO necessary in the great >trug-
gle for the emancipation of labor
from the bonds of wage slavery.
The working people of Ronceverte |
must get together like our comrades |
in Milwaukee under the Banner of |
the Socialist Party and take posses
sion of the City Government by
means of their united vote
For immediate relief we advocate |
the following measures:
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.
Public baths, Toilets and Waiting
Rooms
A more economical city govern
ment, by disposinS of surplus officials
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
as far as possible
We demand the following:
Municipal ownership of public !
utilities.
City owned Parks and Playground.