The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-08-18
STATE FEDERATION RESOLUTION.


 On the face of the returns from the State Federation of Labor Convention at Tucson last week we would naturally reach the conclusion that the convention was com posed exclusively of Democrats. After dis posing of various matters of particular inter- est to Trade Unionists, the convention appar- ently resolved itself into political gathering and proceeded to pass resolutions pledging the Federation support in the Democratic pri- naries to various candidates.
 To our personal knowledge the Feder- ation convention was composed of delegates who in this campaign have sworn allegiance to the Republican and Socialist parties, and have so registered their political faith, but the official report of the proceedings of the convention does not show that these Socialist and Republican delegates absented themselves from the convention hall when the resolution endorsing democratic candidates in the pri- maries was introduced. On the other hand, these republican and socialist delegates stoutly urged its adoption. The State Fed eration of Labor convention apparently was in1bued with the idea that 1t represented the democratic party of Arizona and 1t was prob ably justified in that opinion by the antics Of some Democratic candidates who were on the ground endeavoring to secure its endorsement. The Democratic party of Arizona will pay little attention to the endorsement of the State Federation of Labcr Convention com posed of Mugwumps, Socialists, Democrats and Republicans. However, in the event of the nomination of Hon. George A. Olney, as the democratic standard bearer in the ap- preaching primaries, we arise to enquire of President Wilkerson, of the State Federation of Labor, what will rbc the attitude of his organization towards tine Democratic ticket?
 Since the Federation has seen fit to align itself with the Democratic party, that Is a fair question.
 Do the members of the State Federation of Labor propose to participate in the Demo- cratic primaries and at the same time reserve the right to bolt the democratic ticket after 1t is nominated?
 And another question arises in this con- nection. Can the Federation officials de- liver the vote of the rank and file? Judging from the attempts made recently in this cour- ty we opne not. The effort made here to lash the rank and file into line proved the biggest "boomerang' of the political cam paign and it is likely the Federation resolu- ton for the would-be third termer has done more harm than good.
 The average intelligent American work ingInan, whether he is a trade unionist or not, reserves to himself his own political opinions, regards his ballot as his own personal proper ty and resents being herded together and traded off like lot of political gangsters. And after all, as we have repeatedly assert ed in these columns, the workingman is chasing rainbow when he pins his hopes and aspirations to the political kites of the office seekers.
 The Federation of Labor when it deserts its true standards and principles, and con- verts itself into political organization, to be use! as catspaw by the political demagogues, will discover sooner or later that 1t has trad ed its birthright for a mess of pottage.