Hellraisers Journal: Haywood’s Nomination for Governor Arouses Enthusiasm Throughout Centennial State.

Tuesday July 24, 1906
From the Appeal to Reason: Colorado Socialists Electrified

From the Appeal of July 21, 1906:

COLORADO IS ELECTRIFIED
—–

Haywood’s Nomination for Governor Arouses
Unprecedented Enthusiasm Throughout
the Centennial State.
—–
VICTORY SEEMS ALMOST ASSURED.
—–
Sentiment for Socialism is Growing Rapidly on
Every Hand and the Door of Opportunity
Stands Widely Open.
—–
By GEORGE H. SHOAF.
Staff Correspondent Appeal to Reason.
—–

Denver, July 12.

Socialism is on the upward sweep in Colorado. Since the nomination of William D. Haywood for the governorship the movement has taken on a new lease of life. Around Socialist headquarters on Champa street in the city of Denver there is an activity and an atmosphere of importance that foretell the coming of great events in the Centennial state this fall. The faces of the old Socialist war-horses are wreathed in smiles, and recent converts are working with an enthusiasm that knows no bounds. The spirit of harmony prevails everywhere, for it is realized that the time and opportunity are now here to capture the state for the working class.

The state committee has decided to precipitate one of the most far-reaching campaigns ever witnessed in Colorado. A number of able speakers will be kept in the field from now until election day; advocates of capitalism will be challenged to defend their position, and the question of politico-economics will be thrashed out on every stump and every platform between New Mexico and Wyoming. Fifty thousand copies of a special edition of the APPEAL TO REASON have been ordered, and these papers will be distributed in every nook and cranny in every precinct where voters live. The distribution of the APPEAL will be supplemented with other literature. It has been determined that there shall be an awakening among the horny-handed and horny-headed sons of toil, the like of which will have no precedent in the political history of the nation.

Enthusiasm Is Intense.

In Trinidad, Pueblo, Telluride, Ouray, Grand Junction, Durango, Canon City, Cripple Creek, Colorado City, Leadville, and in the smaller towns and districts, the Denver enthusiasm is more than duplicated. “Haywood for governor!” That slogan has revived ten thousand despairing hopes and inspired ten thousand hearts to renew the battle for industrial liberty. From every quarter of the state comes the cheering assurance that the comrades will make every effort, and consider no sacrifice too great, if by unremitting agitation they can free themselves by placing Haywood in the governor’s chair. Each member of the Socialist party feels the weight of the responsibility that now rests upon him. Fully one thousand honest, earnest, militant Socialists throughout the state have personally consecrated themselves-their time, money and lives-to advance the movement to glorious victory-THIS FALL! There has not before been a time in the history of Colorado politics when the rank and file of labor took such an interest in a campaign, nor when workers responded so numerously or with such enthusiasm, as in this! Even the most conservative among the Socialist declare that the election of Haywood is a foregone conclusion!

Enemy Is Alarmed.

This activity by the socialists has created much alarm among the democratic and republican politicians…..

Readers of Hellraisers will remember that it was only a year ago that the founding convention of the I. W. W. was held in Chicago with Bill Haywood as chairman of the proceedings. According to the following report from a Pennsylvania newspaper, the “One Big Union” has grown greatly during the past year:

The number of local unions chartered by the Industrial Workers of the World, from July 1, 1905, to May 20, 1906, was 419, exclusive of the Western Federation of Miners.

SOURCES

Appeal to Reason
(Girard, Kansas)
-July 21, 1906
https://www.newspapers.com/image/66994296

Daily Gazette and Bulletin
(Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
-July 18, 1906
https://www.newspapers.com/image/9676519

IMAGES

1906 Elections, Haywood for Colorado Governor, IWW Poster
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lbc2ic?auth=pd;view=thumbnail;rgn1=ic_all;q1=lbc2ic

Red IWW Button
http://iww.ca/

See also:
1905 Proceedings Founding Convention of IWW
https://www.iww.org/history/founding

We Will Sing One Song – Six Feet in the Pine
Lyrics by Joe Hill
http://www.folkarchive.de/wewill.html