The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-27


First--A compulsory eieht-hour bill in all
trades and businesses.
Second-Giving at least one free meal daily in
all board .schools
Third-The construction of wholesome ar
tisans' dwellings by the state aud municipalities.
Fourth-The moving of general resolutions in
favor Of the naturalization Of railways, ship
ping, banks mines, factories and land, each to
be managed exclusively by the democratic state.
'Ts your federation in any way affiliated with
the continental Socialistsf Does it approve Of
the Anarchists theories-with Prince Krapot-
kline, Louise Michel or Michael Davitt's viewsP
1--WE are not directly affiliated. We act on the
same line as the Social Democratic party in Ger
many and the Collectivist party ia France so far
as purely social matters are concerned know
but never could understand the meaning of an
archisn. call it individualism gone mad. The
Social Democrats here are not Anarchists. I am
entirely with Davitt in his agitation for the ma
tionalization and municipalization Of land.
Davitts propaganda are Of the greatest service
to us. He himself sees beyond the land The
tenn of production for exchange and profit it is
not the monopoly of land but the monopoly of
capital that is the dominant factor in the oppres
sion of the people"
you propose reducing the hours of work.
Would this imply corresponding reduction in
the wages?s&
Certainly not The minimum wagewould be
fixed"
''How many workingmen are unemployed in
London2 How would you Immediately help
them9'
cit is difficult to say exactly, as there are no
official statistics. In some districts which have
been carefully examined 40 or so per cent. are
out of work. Probably 10O,O 600 men and a pro-
portionate number of women arc now unem-
ployed in London Thousands of others are
working only two or three days q week. Mat
ters are worse in the north of England and in
Scotland. What would do9 Start public re-
lief works at once in many places would have
the state and the municipalities erect forthwith
healthy and pleasant artisans dwellings, paying
the workers rates or wages fixed by schedule.
l would shorten the working hours, organize
labor in connection with the work houses upon
the land with the best machinery. All the
operations should be conducted by committees
of workers associated with middle class experts.
Pending permanent arrangements, / would ex
tend outdoor relief largely to keep up the physi-
cal health of the masses"
Where would you limit state aid for the un-
employedq"
There is literally no limit to the functions of
an educated and organized democratic commun-
ity resolved to handle the means Of production
for the benefit of all. An American writer,
Lewis 81. Morgan, has we'll demonstrated this.
over three -fourths Of the total realized wealth
of Great Britain while millions of other families
are in poverty and starving. /, therefore, strenu
ousy advocate Social Democracy as help toward
constructive and not destructive revolution.
Our intention is to capture-the middle class
politically, the state peacefully, or forcioly,
and 70 use its political powers TO bring about
a complete social change, in which equality of
conditions shall be the rule, and all shall labor"
"Could social revolution be peaceably
brought about in England2"
England is perhaps the only country whore it
could. Whether it will be depends upon the
extent to which the people educate and organize
themselves, and how the upper and middle class
es prepare to meet the inevitable demands of ed
ucated workers. But history scarcely points to
the possibility of a peaceable settlement Foroo'
is the midwife of progress"
How could social revolution be brought
about forciblyW
''The Socialists are not armed. No body of
men can create revolution. 1t can only help to
give legal and recognized expression to revo-
luton which historical and economical facts
have already prepared. We have thousand
ssympathizers already in the army-our
the men during and after the Egyptian
campaigns-also, in the militia and among the
volunteers there is less antagonism here between
the army and people than elsewhere. The troops
would not act against their fathers and brothers.
The Guards, / believe, would have not acted
against US the week before last. A large number
of the police are also with u.s. Among the vol
unteers are many clerks and artisans who prac
tically share our views, while owing to the way
in which they have been treated, and the diff
Guilty in getting work, the reserve forces in Lon
don, at least on our side. OF course we are
not ready to fight yet; but in few years we
shall be able to say to the monopolists surrender
peaceably, or look out The lack of arms never
stopped revolution but, understand, we educate
and organize to obtain, if possible, peaceful
victory"