Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-01-04
MARTINS FERRY SOCIALISTS
ISSUE A STA TElNENT


so-called present-day prosperity to any
city, and labor organizations, CONNER
cial associations, boards Of trade, city
administrations and other civic
bodies should realize the necessity OF
using all the efforts within their power
towards locating such industries IN
Martins Ferry.
in reference to the fight between
| the u. s. Steel Corporation and the
Socialist party in this city, an account
of which was published in Cleve-
land paper, members of the Socialist
party desire it to be understood that
they are in no way responsible for
/ the article, as they were instructed In
! almost every instance. We have no
fight with any corporation or indus
trial institution. While our ultimate
aim is the cooperative common
i wealth, we realize the necessity for
i industrial ablishments as means
of perfecting the system of production.
| and the Socialists expect to do all IN
their power to encourage manufac-
turers to locate in our midst, at the
same time using all their energy to
Il bring about the collective ownership
of the means of production and distri-
butien Socialism.
Having been placed in authority by
the electors Of Martins Ferry, it IS
now up to the Socialist party to make
good" The demands in our municipal
4 program in the last campaign must
be thoroughly considered and carried
out in every instance where Jaws
made in the interest of capitalism dc
not prevent. An eight hour day should
be provided for all city employees with
| a minimum wage of two dollars,
i cheaper water and light should be
i given the citizens if found practicable,
and free Fairgrounds, parks, baths,
i toilets, ETC., should be es .ablished.
/ Demands should be made upon the
school board for the opening of the
different buildings under its control
for social sessions, entertainments,
/ lectures and other means of develop
i ing the intellect of all citizens. Free
text books should be demanded, and
i If refused, petitions circulated for
referendum vote on the question as
i provided by the statutes. Many other
quire the attention of those elected to
4 legislative positions, and there-is no
doubt that they will receive scientific
consideration and disposed of in such
1 manner that though tful citizens can
not help but realize the Socialist ad-
ministration is making good"
The city council, after battling for
: / frur udo PC nunr Tho Tr0hlor0 nf q rrQdn
or overhead crossing at Sherman ave-
nue., at their last meeting tabled the
proposition, and will beQueath it to the
new administration for consideration.
It is evidently difficult question to
deal with and the new council no
doubt will use much discretion If the
matter is taken up again.
j Had the civil service commission
appointing board, composed of the
present president Of council, the presi-
dent Of the sinking fund and president
of the school board-M essrs. Dough-
erty, Smith and Blackford, respective
ly-any intention or desire to be fair
with the incoming administration,
they would have had some cOnsidera-
ton towards the party that polled the
largest number Of votes at the last
election. However, when they learn
ed'' that one of the commission, after
serving longer than the lawful time,
and whose certificate of membership
had been made out for three years, as
were the others as well, they decided
to get busy and comply with the law,
as an administration, that evidently is
not of their liking, was about to as
sumo control of the executive and
Legislative departments of the city.
This fact seemed to prey very SER
iously upon their thoughtful minds.
Something must be done, and done
i quickly, to prevent the Socialists from
assuming control of the different posi-
lions the voters of the city had con-
ferred upon Ghem by their suffrage
The board, in their eagerness to keep
as many of their 'sflunkies" in posi-
lions as possible, demonstrated the in
terests of their class and appointed a
business man, Arepresentatiye of the
political party casting the smallest
i number Of votes at the last election,
i giving the Republican party two rep
sentatives on the commission, the
Democrats one, and the party elected
il to power for the purpose of giving the
city an honest administration and a
square deal, was handed a lemon by
the appointing board. and the manner
| in which it was done certainly ex-
presses the contempt in which they
j hold a body of men who derive their
II means Of existence by producing
Il wealth that others may live in luxury
and idleness. To the members of the
appointing board and of the civil SER
vice commission, we have no hesit-
ancy in saying that we do not expect
/ q square deal at your hands; and If
the people do not receive what they
i voted for, it is our purpose to inform
them OF the fact and the reasons why.
More will be given in regard to the
manner Of hampering the incoming
administration in the next number of
Progress.
II