The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-10-31
oilers, Sanctify Your Vote
BY SAMUEL GOMPERS-

The most virilc movement in poll
teal life today is the national non
partisan campaign being conducted
by the American Federation of Labor
Eloquent testimony to that effect is
heard wherever the political situation
is intelligently discussed. There is nc
mistaking the influence which is be-
ing exerted for the defeat of candi-
be antagonistic to the best interests
Of the working people and to our
citizenship generally. The records
show that in the primary elections
which have been held thus far, the
national non-partisan political organi-
zation Of labor has played decisive
part in more than fifteen contests
In that many districts those who
have been hostile or unfriendly have
been defeated. A number of primary
elections remain to be held and In
these there is certain to be additional
achievement for the welfare of our
people.
iit INoutS VI lllt CdlIlptlBn arr
now in full before the people every
where. The records of candidates
for the senate and for the house OF
representatives have been sent to all
labor organizations throughout the
country. The political party plat.
forms have been written and labor's
analysis of them has beeTr placed be
fore the people. BY comparison OF
the records the voters everywhere
may determine whom to support and
whom TO wefeat. There IL no am
biguity about the records of either
candidates or parties.
Politicians who fear retribution al
the hands of an outraged electorate
have made the charge that labor in
some cases has abandoned its non
partisanship and has become partisan
But in no sense is this true. There
il no labor vote TO be delivered and
there is no labor partisanship to any
political party. There is, however, 9
vote of working men and women and
OF those citizens generally who are
forward looking and are determined
To guard the principles of freedom
and justice. who will vote more unit
edly than ever before for the retire
ment Of those who have betrayed the
trust placed in them and for the
election of those whose principles and
records indicate that they may bt
trusted to uphold the rights Of the
people in public office.
The interest that has been mani.
Tested in labor's non-partisan cam.
paign surpasses anything ever known
in an American political effort. In
response to suggestions from the ma
tional campaign committee loca
unions, central bodies and state feder.
atoms throughout the country have
appointed campaign committees and
these in turn have formed compact
the efforts of all might be organized
and co-ordinated for the purpose OF
securing the mos: favorable results
1t has recently been requested that
local labor campaign committees hold
congressional-distric meetings for the
purpose Of more effectively organizing
the work In each congressional dis
trict. Out Of close cooperation OF
this character much good is certain
10 result.
In order to further increase the
enthusiasm and the effectiveness of
the campaign work the national cam
paign committee has requested that
the executive councils of all state fed
erations Of labor be called together in
special sessions at an early date. The
purpose of these meetings is to make
clear the program in each state and
TO harmonize and organize all efforts
with one object in view.