The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-05-11
City Platform of the Socialist Part!
of Charleston.


National aud 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
ling American cities. The great mass
of tho people themselves are t.
blame for this general neglect OF
civil Gu cal lack q: higher
standard "f CIVIC pride.
The oil -, teal part" MA chimes
Idegenerated into Instruments of
graft uncil the term of Dublfc Office
became synonymous with graft
Under such misgovernnent the very
Foundation. of our democratic form
| of government Is bounl to suffer Sc
verely. tn. cause OF this political
bankruptcy is cue to the general neg
lect of duty on the part OF the peo-
Pile, who bl'ndly and carc.cs5ly en-
trust the management OF their mil
nicipal affairs to the mercenary 20
litical machines of Capitalism.
The result of this deplorable state
OF affairs is general decentralization
and political corruption. unler the
influence and guidance of capitals:
corporation interests
The present Bi-Partizan system OF
government as now exist in tie city
of Charleston have failed to provide
the city with 4 progressive municlpai
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 PEG
pie at the mercy Of the special in
tcrest. In view of the fact that the
great majority of the people arc
working class take a more active
part In the political struggles. in
order to bring about the desired pub
lie improvements.
Both old parties have become tn"
Iagencics of the capitalist class and
lcarry on their political work. to the
great detrimcnt OF the wcalth-pro-
lducers.
Municipal government, is insti-
ltutcd for the protection of the peo-
pie. not for the purpose of bccom-
ling the instrument of community by
lcapitaIist cliques and corporation in
ltcrcsts.
The Socialist Party. while rcaliZ-
ling that Socialism in it's final effects
will benefit all the people. insists
that no political party can represent
1.-The interests of all people under the
Iprcsent capitalist conditions. The
Socialist Party takes pride announc-
ing that its supreme efforts arc To
defend and represent the interests
Of the working class.
II Is with this clear conception of
our political mission that we enter
To lri
about the reforms and improvements
in the management of the public af-
fairs and to strengthen the political
organization OF the working class,
with a view of increasing the power
and influence of the wealth produc-
ers. SO necessary in the great struS-
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 advocate
the following measures:
We denounce the present so-called
Bipartisan city charter.
We stand for the enactment of a
Inew 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 disposinG of surplus official:
BY abolishing the Board of Affairs
BY combining the offices of Mayor
u and Police Judge.
Ill BY com bining the offices of Record
q err and Auditor; thereby leaving TN.
Z administration of the City IN thr
q hands OF the mayor and Common
a Council.
I'll Abolition of the present publi
Fl contract system; all public work &
81 be under supervision of the City an
a all work to be performed by citizens
81 We demand the following:
II Municipal ownership of publ
81 utilities.
Iii A new municipal building.
Ill a City owned Market House.
HI a new and free bridge acrosi Kan
II awha river.
II Public baths, Toilets and .IWaitin