Louis M. Scates (c. 1863–1954) was an American labor activist and politician from Massachusetts. Scates, a shoeworker and street car operator, was a member of the Social Democratic Party of America when he was elected in 1899. He served a single term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives alongside fellow SDP member James F. Carey.[1] [2]
Scates was defeated in his November 1899 bid for re-election by 317 votes when Democrats and Republicans fused their efforts behind the candidacy of Republican Carleton M. How.[3]
After his electoral defeat, Scates would later serve on the staff of the radical Boot and Shoe Workers' Union.[4]
Scates was expelled from the Socialist Party in 1907 for voting against continuation of the use of referendum ballots for the election of officials of the Boot & Shoe Workers’ Union, deemed a violation of socialist principles.[5]
Louis M. Scates died in August 1954 at Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was 91 years old at the time of his death.