The examiner., 1886-01-23
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23. 1886.
SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM,

SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM.
 The persistent lying and misrepresenta- tion of interested parties respecting Con- munism and Socialism does not prevent their coming to the front; but it is nec- essary that everyone should have correct idea of the two isms that are so stirring up the world.
 Communism has been established among us for years, among the Shakers, Perfec- tionists and other religious bodies, who hold their property in common, and are noted for their industry and honesty. A religious idea of some kind seems necessary to success, for numerous commit mites have failed where this has been lacking, as much self sacrifice is necessary, and ordinary men and women are not pre- pared for Communism, which is 8 Chris ian form of society, and needs spiritual training.
 Socialism is more a progressive impulse for better conditions and higher form of society than a cut and-dried system. ''There shall be change for the better," is the prevailing idea of the Socialist, with diversity of thought as to what the social change shall be. The ideas that have been sedulously sown in the public mind, that Socialism means general plunder of the rich and a 'sdivide'' among the poor, are false. To take from.r rich Dick and give to poor Tom would 4reusssE nothing4 Social ism does not war against the rich, as such, but against the soclal conditions that gen. crate the rich at tue expense of the poor.
 The most fatal of these conditions to the wage worker are our class divisions into rich and poor, employers and employed. They have kept labor in bondage for un- numbered centuries, stolen all the wealth it created, and made it social outlaw. These divisions must be abolished, and labor and capital ke unit, through uni versal cooperation. This is the primary idea of Socialism, and the change is imper- ative, for these class divisions have led to the grabbing of public lands, rents, inter- est on money, huge speculative profits, and a multitude of financial, legal and legislative frauds that enable some classes to live in idleness and luxury at the ex- pense of others.
 Socialism is only another name for social and industrial reforms, such as the mil lions need, but know not how to voice their wishes. There are hundred times organizations. Every trade unionist, Knight of Labor, or other dissatisfied worker is a Socialist at heart, although he may repudiate the idea and the name. All those organizations prove dissatisfac- tion with existing conditions and desire for social reforms. They are as so much finder waiting for the spark. And just so soon as they see their own strong points and the weakness of capital the upheaval will come, and new and equitable indus trial system aill take the place of the present one.
 Every railroad, mine, factory, telegraph and industrial establishment rests on the wage workers. sThey are the Sampson that grinds out wealth perpetually; and it is as perpetually transformed to the pockets of those who did nsae of the grinding. Is not this an outr4ge, that ought to be stopped Two hundred millions to man who did not during life give the community a labor equivalent worth ten thousand And hundreds of others following in his footsteps And the menacing tramp found everywhere
 The only protection for society lies in organized Socialism, and it's reformatory ideas. What are they? In brief, the abolition of class distinctions; the univer- sal cooperation of capital and labor; the abolition of interest on money through federal banks loaning currency at cost: great constitutional reform in federal and state governments; the control by labor of it's hours of work and wages; arbitrary rates of high wages, and the value of products to be based on high wages, in stead of wages depending on what products sell for. In effect, the downfall of every fraud and cunning device which enable some individuals and classes to live at the expense of others.
 J. E. BRAY.