Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1908 — Labor in Politics, [Eevansville Advocate (Labor.)] [ARTICLE]

Labor in Politics, [Eevansville Advocate (Labor.)]

There is a plank in the platform of the Democratic party of such vital interest, not only to the trade unions of the United States, but to all those who labor that too much importance cannot be attached to it. In the event of the election of the Democratic party in November labor, for the first time in the history of this union, will have a bureau solely to look after its interests. It will be dignified by a labor man being made a -cabinet officer, a man of practical knowledge of conditions in the labor world, a man who will be a member of the president's advisory family. This very essential point has been heretofore completely ignored by Republican administrations, who have seemingly felt that labor was not ed titled to distinct and individual recognition. This is but further evidence of . the sincerity of William Jenning* Bryan when he announces as his slo gan “Let the People Rule.” The great wealth producers of this Country surely are entitled to this mnch recognition.- Capital is important, but the man whose efforts have

made (Kls capital surely Is entitled' t» greater recognition in the conduct of tb* affaire of this United States »<«" he has heretofore received. ONE REPUBLICAN THINK* THE PEOPLE CAN BE TRUSTED. D. W. Dennis, “a Republican and a county local optloniat,” of Richmond, in a letter printed in the Indianapolis Star (Republican state organ) doubtless expresses the views of a very large number of other Republicans. He says: ( To the Indianapolis Star: The two leading political parties have agreed in submitting the next step In temperance legislation to the people; their platforms are unmistakable—one for county local option, the other against it and for a smaller unit Their candidates are before the people now asking election at their hands because they either do or do not favor the adoption of a county looal option law. * * The vote, when it is recorded, will correctly represent what the people want. Both parties are very busy just now pressing their devotion to the affirmative answer to Bryan’s question, “Shall the people rule?” There is a fine chance to practlca the affirmative In this matter. What could the legislature, when it meets, do so futile, so almost Insulting to the people’s right to rule as to overhaul this question? Futile, because If the legislature thrashes it out and passes upon it one way or the other the people, if they hold differently, cannot help reversing them, for their ar&lee are in full motion* with bayonets fixed; insulting, because tl;e v%ry legislature itself and the governor in their party conventions have just asked the people what they would like about this very matter. • * „ The legislature, when it convenes, should, if this question comes up, declare at once and unanimously that they have themselves, of their own motion, put it beyond their jurisdiction. I am a Republican and a county local optlonist, but if I were a Democrat and an advocate of the township unit, I would stiH'hold that,the people, having been appealed to to take the matter over into their own hands, deserve to be trusted. D. W. DENNIS. Richmond, Ind. j - *