New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-15
,N 1NsInE YIEW or NE SECTIONS.


uoulry has been thorough and conscientious, without
preudce against the organizers Of the new party ana Mt
the same time without the knowledge OF tmDse VINO
were being investigated. The reporters acted without
concert or knowledge OF each others operations and
the summary and the conclusions reached are
from their distinct reports which very closely agreed
in almost every particular These reporters have at
tended the various section meetings. and the secret
business meetings. they have Inspected the DOCKS OF
various lodges calculated the strength OF the organ
zatons from the lists Of paying members The results
Of their labors may be briefly summarized as follows;
The various sections in this city, of which there are
now eight number as enrolled paying members little
less than 500 men--or did few days ago. Those oil
Brooklyn where there are six sections do not exceed
800 and the active members do not claim that the
number exceeds GOO OF the total In the two cities
nearly 600 are Germans and OF these treefourths at
least enforce preparation by the artuous labor OF DIS
pensing beer There are not more than 100 Americans
enrolled in the two cities, and OF these many do not
agree with radical sentiments OF the Germans
There are only few dozen Irishmen. The rest are
PARLIAMENTARY refugees Of the Paris Commune.
Theirs is only American section in this city, which
meets at No. % stantolst THE TRIBUNEs representa-
tvein the lodge reports its strength at thrtyseven
and says that the members particularly anxious TO
secure additional members Of American nationality,
regarding one native American member as more de-
srable than two Germans or other foreigners.
Each section has It's night for weekly meetings The
American section IN this city meets Friday nights as
before
section, Of which TRIBUNE reporter is member,
assemblies in MeserOle-st Once week they have gen
ea business meeting at the Germania Assembly Rooms,
in the BOwery in this city, but seldom more than 80
leo OF the atve spirits take part In the rather
noisy irregular ane utterly impractical proceedings
which follow the excl sion Of the general public and the
reporters The open mass-meetings similar oOngre-
gauons Of men Of the character, who talk in ram
bling strains and In violent manner, but who say lit
tie which DO considered anything more than ex-
travagance Of language The numbers OF the Communists
the cities have been estimated at 100000 but the
actual facts as to their strength given above.
the open meetings any person present is at liberty
10 express his opinions the relations Of capital and
labor etc. whether he Is in sympathy with the Socialists
or not the meetings the special plans Of the
organization discussed and advocated by the leaders
II very certain that the Socialists have yet made
no systematic effort 70 arm themselves. They say
1--WE attempting to carry out our measures through
peacesble meansthrOugh politics and the ballot We
fail there may then have to resort 20 violence, but
not now" No evidence whatever could be OBJ
tanned by any Of THE TRIBUNE reporters that the
party or any Of its sections were armed drilled The
chief danger TO be anticipated In this respect from tho
inhammatory talk OF few of the less sensible men.
II does not take much TO excite a mob and mob Is
long arming itself and shile the Socialists are
not now armed, and have present purpose OF doing
any violence few Of their number might lead the rest
20 violent acts They would undoubtedly be soon Joined
by thousands OF idlers. who could readily arm them
Eelves but they would be wholly without discipline or
direction, and could make Roadway against either
the Disciplined police force or the militia OF the
city. What they might accomplish in the suburban
towns or along the lines OF the railways leading into this
city is a matter Of conjecture.
The motto Of the party-the members Of the organiza
ton insist on calling 1t political party-s Gov
eminent on an Industrial not political basis" I is part
OF the creed that cannot honestly labor unless
Il be with his hands and necessary deduction from
this PREMISE only manual laborers are honest enough
citizens be entrusted with Government for and by
the people The immediate objects 70 (which the Socialists
say they are working 2 law limiting absolutely
days labor eight hous the Government 10 have con-
troll Of all railroads and telegraphs; all industrial enter
prises be upon cooperative basis and more especi
ally, q graded system Of income tax, by which
the rate OF taxation shall be increased in pro-
portion as the income exceeds what the In
dividual may reasonably need for his support.
The only practical proposition advanced thus far for
political effect Is which devOtes the main cneges for
the general central organization TO tho increase OF the
party in the various wards districts In which the
Democratic and Republican parties are most evenly
divided with view TO holding the balance Of power at
coming elections As matter Of course these ward
organizations VIII al the very first local election develop
into body Of strikers who will demand patronage or
money from the various candidates Of party or the
other.
while denving and ridcung tho idea Of arming and
drilling and insisting that they propose to accomplish
revolution by moral means the Socialists say that tho
outrageous constitution Of society" challenges rising
OF the middle classes before the moral means can work
out their result Such rising they evidently anticipate
with grim satisfaction and profess 70 be unable TO
staye Il Of Questioned the subject Of working out
reform by educating the they manifested mpa-
thence at the idea OF the work being their
ground Of objection. Moreover, they appear to
doubt its efficacy.
II has been represented the Catholic clergy have
been greatly troubled the growth Of this body and
dscOuntenanco II by every means Their opposition
however on inquiry is found 10 be chiefly caused by the
fear OF TIE growth Of nAdel notions and by antici
pations Of any trouble violence. There are
few or nc Catholics in the organization. All the Irish
and American members PrOtestants and the French
and Germans invariably freethinkers. Many Of the
most radical sentiments advanced In the meetings arc OF
irregiOus and even blasphemous character. Among
leaders Is the head Of the American section In
this city, man named Drury who At a recent meeting
said. among other shockingy basphemous expressions,
that Christ told and especially the capitalists to
be charitable feed the hungry and elothe the naked,
bus had not told how 20 do IT, the SOciallstic-
Labor party going TO what he failed 10 do" On
another occasion he said that 4" would not be long be-
fore MaSzin Garibaid and John Brown would De con-
sdered equal with Christ" These expressions indicate
the grossly reveFent style Of many OF the speeches and
Drury Is simply representative speaker man named
Bennett who said 70 be general agent Of the party
equally radical IN speech and goes further than any
other in advising preparations 10 any moment.
Justus scbwab. who is often spoken OF leader is
comparatively nO6onsivo German who sells beer and
finds II profitable seek nOtOriey by connection with
this movement. Ho is devoted TO a baby and young
wife, who evidently rules the house and carries the
purse strings as sehwab has TO take her advice In all
things and solicit from the money for the very small
est expenditures.
POLICE VIEWS OF CoMsfUNIsM.
President Smith Of the Police Board, was asked