The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-06-15

Third aVard-M 4. Wagner Itple
graph Operator.
Fourth Ward-J. II. Hamick
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
of the people themselves are t.
blame for this general neglect of
civil iHy 2nl lack -: higher
standard If I.iyIc pride.
The oil ~. teal oartv machines
degenerated into Instruments of
graft until the term of publ. Office
became synonymous with graft.
Under such misgovernnent the very
foundation OF our democratic form
of government is bound to suffer Sc
Verely. Th"A cause OF this political
bankruptcy is cue to the general neg
lect of luty on the part OF the peo-
| pie, who blindly and carc:esslv en-
nicipal affairs to the mercenaly 20
litical machines of Capitalism.
The result of this deDlorabla state
of affairs is general decentralization
and political corruption. under the
influence and guidance of ca ritalis:
corporation interests.
The present system of govern
ment as now exists in the city
of Ronceverte have failed to provide
the city with progressive municipal
administration. But has done moth
ing more than 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 pco-
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 more active
part in 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-
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 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 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 clear conception of
our political mission that we enter
this municipal campaign to bring
about the reforms and improvement.
in the management of the public af-
fairs and to strengthen the political
Organization of the working class
with n view of increasing the power
and influence of the wealth produc-
Iers, 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
means of their united vote
For immediate relief we advocate
the following measures:
We stand for the enactm ent of Il
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 disposing of surplus officials
Abolition of the present public
contract system: all public work tc
be under supervision of the City an5
all work to be performed by citizens
as far as possible.
We demand the following:
Municipal ownership of publi,
utilities.
City owned Parks and Playground.
Establishment of a more efficient