The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-09-02 00:00:00

A NEW SOCIALIST PROGRAMME.

The Journal de Grnree publishes the folbming re-
t, orMinatingovith the lOrruatiuuale, which is to
I . submitted to the next gencral meeting ~f Swiss
workmen. The document rune thus :

" 1. The Socialist Democratic party in Switzerland pro-
o..ers for its object to insure the interests of the working-
pride, and to afford them satisfaction in all te,pects. It is
convinced that the emancipation it the working-class can
enly be brought about by the working-chits itself. 2. The
struggle for the entancipatiou of the working-class is lit is
struggle for the privileges of a single class, but for equa-
lity of rights and ditties and for the suppression of
all class supremacy. 3. The economic dependence of
the workmen upon the capitalist constitutes the basis
of slavery under whatever form it may exist, conse-
quently, the Socialist Democratic party proposes to secure by
the suppression of the present system of production (the
wages system) the entire benefit of his labour for each
workman. 4. Political liberty is the primary and indis-
pensable condition of the economic emancipation of the
working dais. The social question Is, therefore, insepa-
rable from the political question ; the solution of the
first depends upon the solution of the second, and is
only possible under Democratic conditions. 5. Consider.
ing that the political and economical emancipation of
toe working-class is only possible by combined action
and unity on its part, the Socialist Democratic party in
Switzerland adopts a central is:d organisation, w-filch at the
same time allows each one to Ilse his individual influence
for the taMniion good. it. Considering that tlie elilancipa-
timi of labour is neither a local nor a national task, but a
Social one, which embraces all countries in which modern
society exists, the Socialist Democratic party in Switzerland
connects itself with the International Association (if Work-
men. 7. The f •Ilowing points are laid dinvit so those which
it is MoSt necessary to ilisist Upon in the agitation conducted
by the Socialist Demoratic party A general right of
citizenship throughout Switserland. The relief if the poor
to be incumbent Intent Communes, the State being liable
always to supplerinut any deficit...iv, 2. Direct teal lit.
ills by the people of the Confederation, the popular initia-
tive being vested in a nr,'ilinr,o $ll of 24,090 eitigslis. At
the public voting the absolute majority of voters ' Yes' or
• N shall Ilt.ternlitte the questions sill omitted. Suppression
of the State Colincill and the separate cantonal rotas Irs
States. 3 Compulsory and gratuitous ethic:atoll Up to Elle
colupletion of the lith year nt each age, and
thin against the employment if such ehildren hi workshops
or manufactories. 4. Separation of Church front the State,
and also of the schools from the Church. 5. Suppression of
all indirect taxation, and the introduction of direct taxation
ss ith progressive increase upon tncolltco nut 611CeeSSionS,
and general Simi patriotic valuation of fortunes, and also
after eault decease modification of taxation in favour of
fathers of it. The abrogation of all needless iintiedi-
tic ids the tient It tc tin full 4 kit
:VIII !Pt 1t.g1,1.1t5.1t, ••: • 1:•••,• t•
7. the estaiiiishinent of a normal ie., k-
ing day. S. A rigid surveillance IA ur all 1.,111i114 L,tal
munte, both lea imusure f s:initary poilee and 10 1:1.111.0
11112.111 t ill..1•4:1111St kilts. The appointment of paid and
independent inspectors of factories. 0. Abolition of all de-
ductions from wages in the shape of Mies. Organization if
a syStclii of olliend statistics c(eicerning the condi-
tion Id the worhing-elasses. 10. Absolute freedom Id
the press, of meeting, of association, and of Coali-
tion. 11. A credit to be opened with the State for
associations with j.dtit rvstricloiiuiliiy. Fic that purpose the
establishment of a National Swiss bank, with a sole right to
issue notes. lfl. The purchase and working of railways IT
the Confederation, as all the means of coninilinication onOit
to be th,. property of the State, which ought not to allow in-
dividuals to profit IT a monopoly. 13. The I 'onfederatii at to
bear the entire cost of clothing, arming, and I:Tail/ping the
militia 1 5 sufficient rate of pay to Ire allowed, and the
cadet academies to be abolished."