Labor Unions and Political Ambition
By G.
As in all the other trusts, the great labor trust has its rivalries. It is announced and confirmed in the newspapers, that Eugene V. Debs is at the head of a new labor organization, the Industrial Union, which has been organized as a rival of the American Federation of Labor. Thus it becomes more and more apparent that the labor element is being gathered into bundles, to be used by ambitious politicians in furtherance of political schemes. The theory of republican government is that officials are the servants of the people, but that theory is quite generally out of practice, especially in the higher offices; and men and clans seek the ascendancy for the purpose of controlling their fellows. The more that men are organized into bundles, the more readily they are handled by those in whom they place their trust. And in these days of increasing corruption the ambition to lead, on the plea of benevolent concern for the welfare of the masses, is constantly proving a delusion to the people. But the masses are slow to learn the lesson; and ever and anon the would-be leaders are coming to the front with promises to set the captives free, if only the people will elect them to office. Such men usually find a following, and at least money enough to live comfortably without work, whether the political office be secured or not. As a rule, the officials of labor organizations are well paid—better than the men who are taxed to pay them, just as in other politics. G.