A. M. Stirton (1872–1939) was an American politician who participated in political activity as a member of the Socialist Party of America and the

Industrial Workers of the World The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), members of which are commonly termed "Wobblies", is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. The origin of the nickname "Wobblies" is uncertain. IWW ideology combines general ...

. Stirton eventually shifted his views away from electoral politics and advocated " direct action" in the industrial sector.

Socialist Party

Stirton was a delegate to the 1908 convention of the Socialist Party of America held in

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Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...

where he was one of two delegates representing the state of Michigan. That same year, he was a Socialist candidate for governor in Michigan, gaining 1.74% of the vote. Along with his campaign in Michigan, he toured the Midwest with Socialist Party presidential candidate

Eugene Debs Eugene may refer to: People and fictional characters * Eugene (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * Eugene (actress) (born 1981), Kim Yoo-jin, South Korean actress and former member of the sin ...

. He also was a candidate for the

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in 1909. During this period, Stirton was based in Hancock, Michigan and edited a socialist newspaper titled '' The Wage Slave''. '' The Wage Slave'' was described in an advertisement as "revolutionary to the core" and "the enemy of everything that supports the existing order." The publication had national recognition and gave Stirton a role in national Socialist politics. '' The Wage Slave'' was published by the Työmies Publishing Company.

Turn away from electoral politics

By 1909, Stirton had turned away from electoral politics, believing instead that workers must engage in industrial action along syndicalist lines to achieve liberation. This change in views brought Stirton into the

(IWW) where he organized in the 1910s. With the Industrial Workers of the World, Stirton was an active organizer. He edited the IWW newspaper '' Solidarity'' for a brief period in 1909. Following that period, Stirton moved to Grand Rapids,

Michigan Michigan () is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the List of U.S. states and ...

where he organized with Industrial Workers of the World Local 202. Stirton was a frequent IWW lecturer in Grand Rapids. A.M. Stirton also authored the IWW pamphlet "Getting Recognition: What It Means to a Union" that was published and distributed by the national organization. The pamphlet was critical of official union recognition."Wild Pamphlets of Industrialists"
'' The American Employer'', August, 1912

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stirton, A.M. American political activists Industrial Workers of the World members 1872 births 1939 deaths Socialist Party of America politicians from Michigan Trade unionists from Michigan Politicians from Grand Rapids, Michigan