The Labor enquirer., 1886-02-13
THE SOCIAL LEAGUE.
1t Holds a Short and Interesting Open
Meeting, Followed by an ImPsr-
g.. tant Business sjessioTi.

tant Business sessioTi.
On Sunday evening last McClelland
hall'was again filled by 7:30 o'clock
with. all the officers and committees in
their places. This being the lirst meet,
ing in February there was no special
orator for the evening, as, according to
the rules of the League, the first Sun
day evening in each month is given up
after the hour of 9 O'Clock to business
meeting. However, the public are al
lowed to remain during the time from
opening until 9. - F
The lesson from the catechism was
chapter No. 5. entitled "Machines and
Their Use," and the responses were
made in clear voice by Comrade Rice.
In his remarks upon the lesson, Clair
man Buchanan called attention to the
effects upon the producing classes of the
inventions of the past fifty years. He
contended that under capitalistic con-
troll the machines had been curse to
the working people; but under govern
mental, or socialistic ownership, the in
ventions would be blessings to all man
kind, and the speaker introduced illus
trations to prove his ground.
Comrade Eye read from Starkweather
and Wilson's Socialism," chapters de-
fning "What Socialism Really is, and
What 1t Proposes
Comrade Graves discussed the propo-
sition of the Socialists to abolish the
wage system and substitute therefor
governmental cooperation, and his ex-
plantations were clear and impressive,
and we're listened to with the closest at
tention.
Comrade Rice spoke upon the subject
of Remuneration, under a Socialistic sys-
tenn, and demonstrated how, dersuch,
each useful and producing citizen would
be rewarded for his works, partly in
personal recompense and partly in So
cial and public benefits, such as educa-
ton, recreation, etc.
Comrade Cardnell spoke upon the
charity" question. He dealt with the
present method of relieving the INDECENT,
and showed that it is not only made
quate to the case, but that it is debasing
to mankind and revolving to the finer
feelings of man. He then gave clear
outline of the plans by which the old
and helpless will be cared for in the Co.
operative Commonwealth, and the natu-
raj guards which such a system will
have against deception and all forms of
imposition.
Comrade Painter deaIs with the sub
ject of "the choice of pursuits" !" and dem
onstrated how it was impossible under
the "dog-eat-dog" system for manv to
adopt the callings for which thev are
particularly adapted by nature.
Comrade Leahy talked for few min
utes with great earnestness upon the
of subject, "The Wastes of Society" He
gave several practical illustrations of the
great amount of useless work which is
done under the present system, and
showed how, under soCialistic system,
all unnecessary work would be pre-
vented; how all will be engaged in use
full labor, which will be g, comfort to the
worker himself and benefit to society
at large.
These short explanatory dissertations
we're sttentively listened to by the large
audience, and the cause of Socialism was
greatly advanced by the dissipation OF
the idea held before BY some skeptlcs,
that "the Socialists deal only in glitter
ing generalities; they don't know what
practicable remedies are needed
Those who were present Sunday even
ing will not again max 3 this remark
even though all may not fullv agree as
yet with the plans submitted.
After Comrade LeahYss remarks the
omen meeting was closed, and the
Ieapne held an executive session, al
which some important business was
transacted.
On next Sunday tom morrow) evening
Rev Myron Reed, will be the principal
speaker. and everybody is invited to be
present. The meeting will be open to
the nublic all the evening, bat all are
reonested to be in their seats at 7:3(
o'clock promptly, as that is the hour al
which the exercises begin.
The evenings lesson will be, S"Th'
Distribution of Wealth" ."