The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-04-25


Of the Communal I
: Parsy..Twenty.tSyo Articles OIL,
Faith. ~: gtt
AT the present moment. when everyi
one is discussing the probable future u ts
France, and while the doings Of thu :
Of Paris and Marseillcs are .
the one topic Of the day, it may not be
a miss to publish an authentic account
of the actual prog ra ume of the Com
munal party. The following extracts
are translated, as literally a. possible,
from q French document, published
about a year ago: tes 90 - 4
OUR PROGRAMME.
Funda,Hento. Principle-"Equality Be
.fo,s Al Things" fEtJ II
The active socialist party, after
ovcrthrowing the present government,
that is to say, after having accomplish
cd political revolution, will proclaim.
that all descriptions of property are to
be no longer personal, but national.
2. 1t will invite the immediate, forma-
ton of industrial societies in every par
isll or township, and will publish reports,
drawn up by men familiar with the sub
jcct, showing what kinds of industry
are indispensable, in each particular dis
trict or country, and what parts OF the
country are most favorable or Inc re-
verse, for any given occupation.
3. A certain period will be granted to
every citizen TO consider which working
society lie will join. 1t is the right as
we'll as the duty of every one to choose
that kind of labor which, taking INTO
consideration his physical and mental
capacities, will prove most beneficial to
himself and to the commonwealth.
4. All persons who shall refuse to join
one or the other of the working socie-
ties, without assigning some valid rea:
son for refusal, will lose all rights as
citiz ms They will not be admitted to
any of the public establishments which
contain the provisions destined to sup
ply the wants Of the members OF the
commonwealth. To such persons, hou.
ses, pul,lic dinine-rooms, railroads, post
offices, and telegraphs. in fact, every
thing will he closed They will be alb.
solutely deprived Of the means of ex-
i,tencc, and must decide either to work
or die :.
5. Each group of workmen will elect,
from its midst, public valucr or super
intcndcnt. This individual should be
chosen BY his fellow workmen, on ac,
count of his energy, ability. and superi'
or knowledge of the details of his trade
6. The duties of this superintendent
7 will consist chiefly in regulating the sup
lilly of work in taking account OF 1T
$ value, and the quantity performed b.
each member; also in negotiating be
tween his society and the local office, t.
e which every society in the district vii
. have access, sending to It the product
e of their labor, and receiving from it ev
erything necessary to supply the want
J of their members.
Z. A committee, composed OF mem
Q bers selected By every working society
e will regulate, in its own district the SUP
I ply of labor, and develop the natural 9
i acquired advantages Of the locality.
; will receive all the goods produced b
ls the industry of each society in its dis
N trict, classify them. and distribute thel
E according to the wants Of the comml
I nifty, or, in the event Of surplus, sen
to other districts to form material for
! new organization.
le s. The committee will publish at re!
s ular intervals reports on the work a
complished BY each society, and on Il
= sum total of the products and consuml
8, ton OF each member for given perio
n in order to show clearly the profit
d loss that each member brings to Il
y commonwealth.
" 9. The above mentioned reports "
n also serve to enlighten the citizens
e, the election Of agents and public fun
tionaries of every description, and all
y to regulate the course of all kinds
an labor and show what changes are requ
ed in any department of industry.
en- 10. All the public institutions, as W
y. as the dining rooms. sleeping. room
OF schools, hospitals, libraries, roads, "a
Il waya, posts, and te,egraphs shall
no placed under the administration OF
he cal bureaus. 6. i..oesa 3aie iisa s'i9
IL All the public works of the loc
ay ity, such as the making of roads a
OIL railways, public buildings, &c, and
rs cleansing and keeping OF them in ord
N, shall be under the management OF 7
nu lprincipal bureau. i9iins
I2 All kinds Of labor which requ
IN physical force only, without any spec
eu technical knowledge, shalt be perform
on In rotation ~ the members OF each 81
ton.
70, l3. The principal bureau will also
charged with the education of chiidr
ess for which purpose special buildings
~ be constructed, in which physical 9
es mental training alike shall be includ
an. Up to certain age, to be hereafter
OIL cided, the children shall not he taken
hand by the Communal sections.
IA Parents who wish TO undcrts
personally the education of their q
ner ilren shall have the right to do so;
'ra, "a, this shall not exempt them from the
WIN LEGATION Of working certain number
cn iihours every day.
IN Is. As q general rule, when the me
ing bcrs Of the community have compile
/. the fixed number of hours for work e.
! IN day. they can occupy themselves in
8, way they like-in doing nothing. in
age door recreation, in visiting the pul
e. ex theatres or concerts, scientific lectuf'
lne &c. il's4id W 6
,ep 16 Any person desirous OF devot
!, W all his time to scientific researches
oa'- discoveries shall present tn the local
a'p- reau- a statement of his project, VIII
liz found feasible and likely to be us
iof to the community, shall confer upon
). author the right to retire from his se
! III ing section. He shall also be provl
- with the means necessary for the acc'
.ur plishment of his undertaking. =
our II. Having acquired the right OF