The Labor enquirer., 1884-11-15
Is 1T pRAc1IoABiLE, ,

The Tribune Republican etne day this
week contained an inservieW onsthesub-
ject of the International Workmen's
Association and its creed, Socialism,
which was eminently correct so far as
the relation of facts was corcerned but
which closed with th,, iDsiiluation that
Socialism is impracticable: aa gE,i
1t is the usual idea when the lassez
faire are forced to admit that the present
system is wrong and the substitute pre-
sented by Socialism justand humane, they
take refuge behind the shallow wall
labeled "Impracticable." They say,
"You talk well, my friend your ideas
sound pleasant, and are strongly favored
with love for humanity but you are
utopian; what YOU propose is imprac-
ticable. 1t would never work" ...
And what is 1t Socialism proposes
What is this pretty picture, painted by
enthusiasts and idealists this lovely
dream picture that would so quickly fade
and be obliterated by the sunlight OF
practical experience 4 -.
It is simply that men are brothers, all
members of one family, not enemies and
rayenous competitors; that it is their
duty to live in harmony and be Just one
to another; that is the province of the
e head of the family-the government
to compel the fulfillrnent Of this duty.
Is there anything dreamy, idealistie,
utopian about this? 1t is what the pres
sent system professed'y aims at, but has
failed in after trial Of centuries.
"But it is the method by which you
propose to bring this good that is i'm
practicable" All right, let ls see if it is
Socialism proposes II socialistic Com
monwealth, governmental cooperation
the same plan upon which the postal
service is now conducted, and as Senator
Hill wants the telegiaphing done, and
others want the railroads run.
"Ah, but" says LaBsez Faire, that is
distributive industry; you'll not find
production so easy to handle." May be
not, but we'll handleit, all the same,
1t don't seem to he such difficult
thing for an individual to got control Of
large tracts of land ard direct the work
of throng of cultivators, or an immense
factory and oversee the labors of great
crowd of workers. Is the government
less than an individual? Does not the
government of the various states do .
little production by the penitentiary
plan at present, and III not the capitalist
class very reluctant to let 1t stopP
If the government can manufacture
postage stamps and then monopolize the
market on them, it can do the SAINT
thing with the envelope the stamp il
placed upon, or the ink with which the
letter is written. If the government can
. make a contract with a private individ
ual for alot of soldier blankets and pay
him an awful stealage on them, it car
employ him as its agent to superintent
the manufacture of The same blankets
and save the enormous waste and steal
age. If the government can transport
letters &C, oss the country and distribute
them to individuals it can carry foot
and clothing In similar manner (wher
necessary and retail them from loca
depots; and it would require about 2 pc,
cent of the labor that is now used. ..
These examples rnight be stretched
out over a whole page of this paper. bu
there is no necessity. The man will
ordinary intellect who VIII give the sub
ject careful Thought can easily satisf!
himself of the practi ability of, 9 co-ope
rative system of productive and distribu
tive industry under governmental diree
+ ton, and it is sure to come to that. 4 4
As to some other objections raised t.
Socialism, shall have something to sa,
at another time The inquiring minC
will find pointers CROUCH in the fore
gong to think on for awhile.