2025-06-24 Guide to the Socialist Labor Party, Virginia State Committee Pamphlet, 1904 SPEC.RARE.MMS.0412 Finding aid prepared by David Mezick Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections

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2025 June This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2025-09-02T11:12-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Socialist Labor Party, Virginia State Committee Pamphlet SPEC.RARE.MMS.0412 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections MMS 19 0.02 Cubic feet 1904 The Socialist Labor Party (SLP) was the first socialist political party in the United States. The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901–1902 rewrote Virginia's Constitution, implementing voting requirements which disenfranchised many black and working class white voters. The Socialist Labor Party, Virginia State Committee Pamphlet, dated 1904, is a one page pamphlet or leaflet created by the Virginia State Committee of the Socialist Labor Party. The pamphlet lists the Socialist Labor Party candidates for the 1904 United States presidential election and also argues that Virginia's 1902 Constitution disfranchised many working class voters. (1) letter file folder English Socialist Labor Party Acquisitions Information

Accession No. RARE.2025.0061: David Brewer, 2022 December

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[identification of item], Socialist Labor Party, Virginia State Committee Pamphlet, SPEC.RARE.MMS.0412, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University

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Processed by: David Mezick, 2025 June; Finding aid written by: David Mezick, 2025 June

Historical Note

The Socialist Labor Party (SLP) was the first socialist political party in the United States (U.S.). It was started in 1876 as the Workingmen's Party and was soon renamed the Socialist Labor Party. In 1890, Daniel De Leon joined the SLP and quickly became an influential and divisive figure. In 1892, he became editor of the Weekly People, the main publication of the party. The SLP nominated candidates for U.S. President for the first time that same year. In 1899, members who were opposed to De Leon’s leadership left the SLP and joined what would become the Socialist Party of America. This eventually led to a decline in the membership and national influence of the SLP. The party nominated candidates in every presidential election until 1976.

The purpose of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901–1902 was for elected delegates to rewrite the constitution of the state of Virginia. The delegates mainly wanted to undermine the effects of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave black men the right to vote. Virginia’s 1902 Constitution implemented a poll tax as well as ‘understanding’ or literacy requirements which disenfranchised many black and working class white voters. The 1902 Constitution was eventually replaced in 1971.

Theodore Roosevelt, the Republican Party nominee, won the 1904 presidential election.

Scope and Contents

The Socialist Labor Party, Virginia State Committee Pamphlet, dated 1904, is a one page pamphlet or leaflet created by the Virginia State Committee of the Socialist Labor Party. The pamphlet lists the Socialist Labor Party candidates for the 1904 United States presidential election as well as one candidate for Congress. It also argues that the Virginia’s 1902 Constitution disfranchised many working class voters and that it is in their interests to align with the Socialist Labor Party and its principles.

Socialist Labor Party Virginia. Constitution (1902) Virginia. Constitutional Convention (1901-1902) Constitutional conventions--Virginia--20th century Constitutions--Virginia--20th century Leaflets (printed works) Presidents--United States--Election--1904 Socialism--United States--20th century Socialist parties--United States--20th century Suffrage--Virginia--20th century Voter suppression--Virginia--20th century