The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-05-18

Courtney, II. r. Conductor; Bird
Ward NJ. A. Wanger, Telegraph
Operator; 4th Ward J. II. Hamrick,
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 3re t.
| blame for this general neglect of
civil Iuy :nl lack ~: Il higher
standard If. 1ilIc pride. = ,.9s =. -. /.
The oil ,.n.t:cal oartv machines
degenerated into Instruments of
| graft until the term of Dubli: office
| became synonymous with graft.
| Under snch misgovernment the very
| foundation OF our democratic form
of government is boun.l to suffer Sc
verely. Tia cause OF this political
bankruptcy is cue to the general neg
lect of duty on the part OF the peo-
pie, who Nbllndly and care:essly en-
trust the mana gement of their mu-
nicipal affairs to the mercenary po-
litical machines of Capitalism.
| The result of this deplorable 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 Ronceverte have rallied to provide
the city with a progressive municipal
administration. But has done moth
ing more than q partnership between
the corrupt politician of the two>o 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 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-
ling the instrument of community by
capitalist cliques and corporation in
| terests.
| The Socialist Party. while realiZ-
ling that Socialism in its final effects
will benefit all the people. insists
that no political party can represent
| i,ta &c Of oil O
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.
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 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 string
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
lnew charter, which will more fully
| give to the people the following:
Home Rule.
The initiative. referendum and re-
call.
as far as possible
awha river.
Public baths, Toilets and Waiting
Rooms.
A more economical city govern
ment, by disposing of surplus officials
i Thereby leaving the admins
4 tration of the city III the
hands of the mayor and Common
/ Council.
iii Abolition of the present public
i contract system; all public work tc
be under supervision of the City ana
all work to be performed by citizens
We demand the following:
i Municipal ownership of public
Il lutilitieS