Marxist Bulletin No. 4
Expulsion from the Socialist Workers Party
Document 15
Letter to the Political Committee By Jack Wright
For NC and CC Information
Seattle, Washington November 29, 1963
Political Committee Socialist Workers Party
Dear Comrades:
In regards to the suspension of the Robertson group: It is my
opinion that this action was taken in haste and a somewhat arbitrary manner. It
also appears to me that the trial--indeed if they had a trial, was not in the
best procedures of democratic centralism. It is my belief that they were denied
the privilege of having formal charges preferred against them before the whole
party membership. And that they were denied access to internal bulletins and
other party channels to defend their position and allegations against them. It
is also my belief that the manner and method of their suspension was highly
irregular and not in keeping with the best traditions of our party and the
principles of proletarian democracy.
The rights of minorities to defend their position through regular
party channels is the cornerstone of proletarian democracy. And the right to
have formal charges preferred against them before the whole party
membership stating their errors of commission and omission is a fundamental
principle of democratic centralism.
The best traditions of proletarian democracy demands that all
trials, suspensions and disciplinary actions be based squarely on the issues
involved under the objective circumstances and that the only partiality shown
is a partiality to revolutionary principles, the preservation of the party and
the best interests of the working class. Any weakening of laxity in the
fulfillment of the requirements of this principle can only tend to damage our
party in the eyes of the workers and weaken the morale of all our comrades.
In 1954 I was locked out of the Communist Party. I was denied
either a hearing or a trial, which I repeatedly demanded. I was denied any
access to any body or organ of the party to defend my position and refute the
slanders and accusations hurled at me. Comrades, I do not wish to see any form
or degree of this creep into our party. It is precisely the opposite of this
that attracted me to the SWP. In the SWP I found a party where even the most
erroneous of my ideas and proposals were heard, expounded and corrected. To be
a Socialist one must continually grow, both ideologically and politically.
Without the clash of divergent views, discussion, study and activity this is
impossible.
I respectfully ask the Political Committee to reconsider the
suspension of the Robertson group, and to re-examine the evidence and charges
against them. And if then, in their considered opinion they find these comrades
in violation of party discipline and/or democratic centralism that formal
charges be placed against them and that they be allowed access to internal
bulletins and all legitimate channels to defend their position and refute or
attempt to refute the charges against them.
It has not been made clear to me by the communications from the
N.O. or PC that violations of party discipline have been committed.
Nothing in this letter is to be construed as endorsement of the
views or policies of the Robertson group.
Comradely, /signed/ Jack Wright
|