The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-05-05
THE COMMUNISTS.
TMEIR OBJECTS, STRENGTH AND PLAN
OF ORGANIZATION.
why they Are Aiming In the West-The
Trades UniOn-Their Numbers and The
Probability of Their Acting With the
Social Labor Party.


fions agitating the public mind in this coun-
try, representative of the National Asso-
ciated Press yesterday interviewed Henri
Dr,ry, one of the head leaders of the Com
Inunists in this country and at present en-
gagged as the chief travelling organizer OF the
sOcialstic labor party, from whom some in
teresting data regarding communism was OBJ
tanned.
He said that the motives and principles
which governed the International Association
and the Commune actuate the SOclalistic
Labor Party Of to-day. These principles and
motives have never been truly understood
and to effect truthful comprehension they
are laboring now.
The International now exists and is hourly
enlargng under the title of the Socastic
Labor Party. It's object is to benefit and Ell
Tighten the workngmen. The results TO be
attained are:
l. The abolition of standing armies, etc.
2. The abolition Of frontiers.
8. The unity of the people.
The weapon to be used Is education. They
believe the nineteenth century is the age of
the workingman, and are now determined to
push forward.
AZ first the International met with much
opposition in this country by reason of its
principles not being properly comprehended,
but they are gradually becoming understood,
and trades unions are now fast falling into
their ideas.
Referring to the progress of the movement
here he said the peculiar political and social
changes in Europe necesstated not only
change in the name of the International Asso-
citation, but also in its administrative charac-
ter Its title was changed to Social De-
mocracy, by which it was known until the
Congress held in Philadelphia, in July, 1875,
when the title was changed to the Working
mans party. Subsequently. finding that
themselves workingman's party, the name
was again changed by tho Congress held in
December, 1877, in Newark N. j.. and they
adopted that OF the Socialist Labor Party, by
Sx,1,in nh In q
Quoting from the official proceedings of the
Newark Congress- he said Our demands are
the necessaries Of life. The means OF produc-
ton, public transportation and communica-
tion, land, machinery, railroads, telegraph
lines, canals, etc, become, as fast as practical
BILE, the common property OF the whole peo-
pie throughout the government; the aboli
ton OF the wages system and the substitu-
ton for 1t OF cooperative production, with n
Just distribution OF its rewards; eight hours
days labor sanitary inspection of all condi-
tions Of labor; labor statistic bureau in all
the States the officers to be elected by the
people, prohibition of the employment of
children under fourteen, and their compulsory
education; public school books and materials
to be furnished free of charge; prohibition of
employment Of females where detrimental to
health or morality, and the equalization of
wages between men and women; indirect
taxation to be abolished, and a graded in
come tax substituted; direct legislation en-
abling the people, to propose, or reject any
minority representation in all legislative cleo
tiOns.
Regarding the administration of the Or
ganzation, he said that while the Interna-
fional existed the Central Council in London
governed the party in all countries. Now the
party In each country governs itself This
change was necessitated by the different de-
velopments of the people In various countries.
each city, made up of different nationalites.
The business is officially conducted in the
English language but the foreign members
are permitted to hold meeting, using
There are two governing bodies in the party
the National Executive Council and the
Board Of Supervision. The council is at
present established in Cincinnati. One of the
there are many colored members In Missis-
sippi and Missouri. The Board of Supervis-
Ion meets in Newark, N. j.
The party believes in the power OF the press,
and either start journals themselves or in
duce papers to advocate the cause. In Eu-
rope there are over 100 papers enlisted, sixty
being printed in Germany. In this country
they have some twenty papers, published in
trot, indianapolis, San Francisco, Buffalo,
Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Cincinnati.
The party works hand in hand with trades
unions and all the members belong to some
union. In this city they are not drilling nor
arming, but are doing SO in the West, the
purpose being to protect the workmans right |
to free asscmblage, free speech and a free
press.
In this city there are over six thousand
members enrolled composed of Germans. !
French, Bohemians, English, Irish and Amer
leans, the former being most numerous. In |
Chicago they poled $500 votes; in the city of
Cincinnati 5000; in st. Louis 1000, and Mil |
waukee $500 They are strong in New Jersey
and California.
In conclusion, he said the aim of the party
is Industrial and not warlke.
In connection with the subject Of commun-
ism, the subject of trades unions is of con-
siderable Importance, fears being entertained
in some quarters of repetition, during the
coming season, of the disturbances Of last |
year, and detectives hero express the belief
that in the event of labor riots, the trades |
unions and socialists will be found together. |
1t Is certain that unusual activity has pre-
vailed in trades unions circles in this city. |
During the year every trade union has been
thoroughly reorganized More stringent
meetings held on an average twice every
week. There are forty trades unions in this
city, having an aggregate membership of
between 10000 and 10000 men. The principal
boring 10000; cabinet makers, 5000; up
hosterers and longshoremen, 5000 each |
printers, piano makers, shoemakers, carpen-
tiers and laborers 1000 each; plasterers, 1900,
and machinists and blacksmiths, 1000.
Outside this city and State, however, the
strongest trades unions exist. Their ramifi-
cations extend all over the country, and are
still increasing The Miners National Union,
organized in 1879 d has $40 lodges and mem,
of Locomotive Engineers, organized in 1863,
has 1872 lodges and a membership of $4,000;
the Typographical Union, organized in 1852,
has membership OF over 5000; Machinists
over 5000; Iron Moulders. organized in 1859,
number about 10000; the Coopers Union,
organized in 1870. number 5000; Cigar-makers
and Packers, organized in 1871, number about
$4,000.
The only real danger in the event of dis
turbances for the coming summer is believed
to be in Pennsylvania and the West where
socialists, are thoroughly organized, armed
and drilled. Should such disturbances occur
the criminal authorities fear that the scenes
OF last summer-the destruction of valuable
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