The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-12-07


political power. On that day the
Socialists met in mass convention
and perfected county organiza-
ton. then cleared the decks for ac.
ton.
The convention was called to or
der at 1920 a. m. by Com1ade F..
". Kintzer, OF Clarksburs. Com
rade Chas. J. Kcrr, of Shinnston.
was elected temporary secretary,
after which things moved forward
in parliamentary order that
would have made the plutes sit up
and take notice had they but avail
ed themselves of the seats reserved
for spectators.
J. w. Brown, OF Charleston, who
was billed to address public
meeting at 3 p. m, being present
was called upon by the chair to
make a few remarks. Comrade
Brown pointed ont the necessity fo,
organizations. THE Socialist party
he said, was just beginning to
make history in the United States.
fle' ctofoIe. the work OF the party
has been largely educational, o.
what is commonly called propo-
ganda work. We have been sew
ing the seed. This convention
proves that mach of that seed has
fallen on fertile soil, and the time
has come to prepare to garner in
the harvest. There is today gen.
eral breaking away from old polit-
ical parties. The corruption of our
legislative bodies by great financial
and corporate interests; the shame
less thievery that is being practiced
in most every department of gov
~ - gsxr txxtt,~
courts and their .subservancy to the
interests OF the ruling class; the
unbridled sway of that class over
the constitutional rights and guar
antees Of our common citizenship
is forcing the American people to
study Socialism and it's political
program.
eve are reaching the point
where we must prove our fitness.
to be-" he remarked, and from
now en- we must prove our fitness
to be in the management of our
party affairs, and it is only by per-
fecting our organization and pre-
senting a cohesive front to the
enemy can We expect to attract to
our ranks that element without
whicn it will be impossible to reach
the gcal.' In conclusion Conirade
Brown recommended that in the
selection of our com mitteemen and
officials. that we pick out the men
with the coolest heads anu clear
est minds, as from now on the pub
lie will look to the men who rep
resent the party for its strength and
charactcr.
At the conclusion Of Comrade
Browns speech the Convention set
tied down to constructive work
The various committees We're ap-
pointed, after which nominations
for county committee men became
the order OF the day. The percent
axe Of representation was based up
on the constitutional provision
which is. one mittee:nan from
each branch of fifteen members or
less, and one additional member
for each major fraction thereafter
THcn came the nominations for
county officers, after which the con-
vention took a recess until 1:3o
p. m.
The afternoon session was called
to order at 1880 p. m. by Comrade
Nintzer. The ballot committee hav.
ing prepared the ballots. the con-
venton Immediately took mp the
matter of elections. While the com
mittee on elections was counting 9
tho ballots. the committee on by
Ia MS submitted :ts report. which
after ConSid erable discu ssion which
drew out the oratorical ability o!
several of the delegates, and lew
minor amendments We're approved
the bylaws were adopted as {
whole. At 81! the chairman ol
the ballot committee announced
that tho committee was ready 10. re
port. Chairman J<intZer therenpor
announced the result of the election
which showed there We're ffteer
committeeman elected to the coun
" organization. while the perma
nSnt county officials elected were
as follows: Chairman of the Coun
" Local. f II. kintzer: Secretary
G. II. White: Treasurer, a. +. Nay
Organizer. NJ. r. Jones
BY this time the auditorium wa
we'll filed with representative
Clarksburs citizens who came t.
hear Comrade brown. who, accord
ing TO schedule, vas billed tcsspeai