Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-12-29
SAN FRANCISCO.
Encouraging Report of Socialist Pro.
gress on the Pacific Coast.

10 report the progress OF the move
ment on this coast, for the last six
months is indeed work af pleasure, for
success has greeted the bright banner of
the future on every hand, | feel justified
in stating that never in the history of
the movement on this coast did the pros
poets look so bright as at the present
moment.
Those that had begun to lose hope now
rejoice to see the indications that herald
the coming dawn of the day that will
"bring peace on earth and good will to-
| ward men," and stop forever the terri
/ BILE and murderous strife and competi-
ton that rack poor humanity 10 death.
| That Socialism is surely recsiving the
| lowing fact will indicate in a most sig
| nificant manner.
The Representative Council of the
Federated Trades and Labor Organza-
tions of the Pacific Coast called labor
convention some four weeks since. In
vitation to send delegates to this conven-
ton was duly extended to the 5. F. Sec
ton, S. l.. Z.
One of the most important measures
| adopted by the convention was recon-
mended by this Section through its
| delegates, and was that the convention
4 would introduce to the next legislature
a bill providing that when two per cent.
/! Of the voters of California subscribed to
any measure, it would be the duty of the
Governor to submit it to the people TO
vote upon at the next ensuing election.
Thus at one stroke the S. F. Section $.
L. p. has made principles and not men
the subject for future campaigns in
| California and has at the same time
given the quietus to political party fakes,
hitherto so profitable and convenient to
4 political tricksters and bosses.
I This measure was, moreover, cheer
fully received, readily recognized, and
almost unanimously passed by the con
vention. The Importance of this recog
milton of Socialists and socialistic meas
ures will be seen when it is known that
this body of conservative representative
trades union men only one short year
Ian n ''splf aeo were hunting red-eyed
Il IDf ~)cldIio1iU 51a%lps Ill biteif HlluSt, ara
the withdrawal of the section from that
body was considered advisable--in fact,
almost forced. The Wednesday evening
meetings at 80 Fourth street. under the
management of Comrade Rutinger, con-
tinue well attended, with a marked in
crease in numbers, the anarchistic elc-
ment having retired from the field
squarely thrashed where not converted
Our friends, the co-operators, poorer,
sadder, but wiser, are renewing their
allegiance to the true standard of pro-
| VIC q lot t,,,
to see the return of these pentent souls,
for as rule they are true and earnest
workers, and have only been misled
through their excessive zeal to do and
see something done. The discussions
latterly have been more directly upon
! practical socialism, much to the satisfac-
ton OF the members in general, who
have felt that they have lost great deal
OF valuable time in maintaining the
principle OF free speech upon free plat
form, for the accommodation of a lot of
cratic cranks whose arguments nightly
convicted their own honesty or intelli-
gence.
The expurgation of the element advo-
eating violence has given good results in
increased attendance and membership.
1t Is now a generally recognized fact
that the worst enemies to social reform
are those who advocate violence. In
TACT, so apparent has this become that
the man who advocates violence is looked
| upon as either knave or a fool, and
most probably paid agent or one who
desires to obtain a marketable secret.
Anything that will not stand the broad
open light of day before the eyes of the
whole world is considered good thing
TO leave alone. The monthly sociaoles of
the Section have become so popular that
we have been obliged to secure a larger
hall to accommodate the ever increasing
numbers. One of the principle features
OF attraction at these social gatherings is
the excellent singing of the Socialistic
Saennerchor. The s. F. SociaIistic Maen.
nerchor, under the leadership of Com
fade X. zimmerman, has won a recog-
nized standing among the musical So
cietles OF this city. They are now an
envied and much sought adjunct to
social entertainments, even the most ex-
ciusive and conservative gladly overlook
the exceedingly radical words of their
songs In consideration for the masterly
and artistic rendition of the music
lhelr success, however, is the well
merlted reward of honest, hard work and
long and patient study.
Another event | have the nleasura of
reporting is the formation of an Ameri-
can Section 5. l.. p. last Wednesday
evening. 1t was real pleasure to note
the presence and the evident interest of