The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-06
LABOR ASKS DEFEAT
OF CONSTITUTION
State Federation Gives Thir-
teen Reasons Why 1t Should
BE Beaten.
NO REDRESS FOR WRONGS

sNibNNT 'tts '-ih "'O' -
the state was asked to-day to defeat
the new Constitution, giving thirteen
reasons why the labors OF the conven-
ton should not be Endorsed on November
2: the executive Ouncil of the state
Federation OF Labor issued this appeal
ITO the officers and members OF CEN
trail and local labor unions of New York
State:
Greetings In obedience U the in
structions given by the state confer
ence of organized labor held In Albany.
October 4. at the call Of the state Fed
Grafton OF Labor. at which conference
it was resolved unanimously to OPP
pose the revised Constitution to be voted
on by the people November 2, the execu-
tive council of the State Federation OF
Labor submits to you the following rea-
sons for voting against the revised con-
s;itution. drafted by the recent Consti-
~tutional Convention:
81. because, the memorial OF organ
lied labor, containing our proposal
adopt d May % and presented to the
convention AS the petition of the united
wage carners Of the state. was ignored
in every particular that would redress
the wrongs of labor or give wage earn
ers IA fundamental benefit.
short Ballot Opposed.
-. because by the creation OF the
short ballot system OF appointiVe ad-
ministration of our government. power
is centralized in "A few hands, invisible
government firmly intrenched. and the
State government removed from the
hands of the people.
20. Because, by deliberately remoV-
ing from the bill Of rights "A provision
that military tribunals shall not exer-
else authority over private citizens we
are confronted by military despotism.
~. Because the judicial system is
packed with new power hat can be
used against labor. and we know by
experience now it has been used. Be
cause it seeks to abolish jury trials in
criminal causes. Because 1t seeks 10
create powerful Judgrs without nomina-
ton or election by the people.
~. Because IT seeks tn make the
state Labor Department and the work
mems compensation law the football OF
foul PARTISAN politics for all time to
come.
&c. Because II denies the right to
establish living wages for women and
children in employment.
-. Because II gives invisible govern
ment another clutch on the Legislature
by permitting Assemblymcn and Senators
to be given other appointive state jobs.
thus assuring control of the law making
power.
80. Because it denies recognition to
the eight hour day and prevailing rate
Of wages on public work.
"9. because IL denies he principle
that the labor of a human being is
not y commodity or article OF COM
merce.'
Denies l.nbUr'~ Prayer.
40. because it denies the prayer Of
labor's memorial that the writ of habeas
corpus shall never he suspended. thus
strengthening military domination.
III. Because ii refused to make a
plain and clear definition of freedom of
speech and freedom Of the press, thus
leaving them subject to court decision
in the future as in the past.
'l2. Because We refuse to accept the
crumbs OF consolation offered Ms in
allowing 'occupational diseases to be
Insured. when the same document UNI
dertakes to destroy popular government
and place the people under the auto
cratic rule of ~bureauCratS.
"l3 because IN the ina analysis the
revised constitution is the product of "A
convention Of which 1874 Of the l6g
delegates were lawyers, more familiar
with the tricks Of juggling law than
with dealing out even Justice to the
people.
Therefore W. advise you to vote
against the entire three propositions
submitted by III. Constitutional Con-
vrntlon. If these propositions are
adopted on election day, YOU and yours
will be bound and gagged after January
|. 1916.
JAMES +. HOLLAND, New York city.
President State Federation of
Labor
IT. IL. GrERRGN. Troy
"CHARLEs HARsrEIN. Newburgh
THOMAS j CURTIS, New York city
"GEoRGr g. kING. Buffalo
"EMASrEI. kovELskIr. Rochester
JOSEPH A. MUIIASRY. Elmhurst
"GEoRGE 7, MCGUIRE, The Bronx.
joins &, Clark. Buffalo
JOSEPH DEHAN. New York city
HAIRY \, ENGLE. Schenectady
NELLIE KELLY, Syracuse,
"Nice-presidents.
"Epw ARD A. BATES, Utica. secretary
treHSurcr.'