The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-05-25
Itonceverte. W. Va.

For Mayor, John W. Volt. Loco
motive Engineer.
For Councilman. at large. Il. c.
Courtney, Il. II. Conductor.
Third Wurd-M. \. Wagner. TcIe-
graph Operator.
Fourth W.,rd-J. II. Hanlrick,
Blacksmith.
We the Socialist Party OF the Cit"
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
of the people themselves are to
blame for this general neglect of
civil Iu'y cni lack r: a higher
Standard If t'1lc pride.
The oil -. teal Dartv machines
degenerated into Instruments of
graft uncil the term OF oublic Office
became synonymous with graft.
Under such misgovernnent the very
| foundation of our democratic form
| of government is bound to suffer Sc
verely. tn cause OF this political
bankruptcy j. cue to the general neg
| lect of duty on the part OF the pco-
| pie. who bl'ndly and Carc.csSly en-
trust the management of their mu-
nicipal affairs to the mercenaty DO
litical machines of Capitalism.
The result of this dcplorable state
of affairs is general decentralization
and political corruption. under the
influence and guidance of capitals:
corporation interests.
| The present system of govern
ment as now exists in the city
of Ronccverte have failed 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 ad-
ministration in the hands Of the ma
chine politicians and placing the peo-
pie at the mercy of the special in
terest. In view of the fact that the
great majority of the people arc
working class take Il more activa
part in the political struggles. in
order to bring about the desired pub
lie improvements.
i 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.
II Municipal government Is insti-
tuted for the protection of the peo-
/ pie. not for the purpose of becom-
II 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
Il that no political party can represent
the interests of all people under the
! present capitalist conditions. Tho
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 municipal campaign to bring
about the reforms and improvements
in the management of the public af-
fairs and to siren CITIZEN 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 strug-
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.
i For immediate relief we advocate
/ the following measures:
i We stand for the enactment of
new charter, which will more fully
give to the people the following:
Il Home Rule.
Il The initiative, referendum and re-
/ call.
i Public baths, Toilets and Waiting
Rooms.
i a more economical city govern
ment. by disposing of surplus officials
Il 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
City owned Parks and Playgrounds
| ab1iShmeDt nj moro