A Labor Day Call for Civic Accountability
Labor leader William Blackman addresses an Everett crowd, linking the labor movement to the struggle against corporate trusts and political corruption.
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In a powerful Labor Day oration in Everett, William Blackman argued that the labor movement is a necessary check against the power of corporate trusts. Blackman called for an end to special interest legislation like the Ship Subsidy Bill and criticized protective tariffs that benefit manufacturers at the expense of the working class. He challenged the citizens of Everett to vote out corrupt local officials, regardless of party affiliation, stating that the moral weight of justice must prevail in the governance of the state.
“When we see the gigantic concerns of this country stretching out their hands and destroying the very foundation of the home and of free government, then I think it is time for the plain people in every walk of life to join hands and call a halt.”
Blackman's critique of how trusts and corporate lobbyists influence legislation to the detriment of average citizens remains a central theme in modern political discourse. His speech highlights a century-long struggle for a 'fair share' in an economy increasingly concentrated at the top.
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