Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-04-07
2rice ! Gents


OF what constitutes a true measure of
value whether it is n lump of gold or
SILVER which forever huctuate in the
markets of the world. or time marked off
IN the heavens; a knowledge of the fact
that one dollar at usnry sooner or later
ahSorhS the wealth of nation; that in
tereSt and usury are synonymous: that
rent and profit are other names for in
terest; that the tariff is restriction on
| commerce, which to freemen must be
tree; that restricted currency is Il relic
OF harbarlsm; that the credit of the
whole people is the best basis for the
whole currency, and finally that the
wage system Is system of caste, mon
opoly and servitude. These are the
qualifications for voting among freemen.
No property qualification can be allowed
laNalion at best is an implication that
all are not willing to be Just, and it be-
comes wholly unjust and absurd when
we levy tax upon an individual unable
to pay 70 pay according to ability is
all that reason can expect or Justice
allow. The poll tax now falls on many
man unable to support his family in
comfort and tempts him sorely to sell at
once his manhood and his vote. 1t must
he abolished Our unjust economic ar
| rangement first rob the wage servant
and wealth builder Of the products Of his
toni and then BY means of poll tax rob
HIM of his ballot. II must not be. The
laws of heaven, in conflict with those of
man. forbid If the State would rest in
peace let the poll tax be removed, the
ballot retained and the voice of the peo-
pie be heard We must first know our
rights and knowing dare maintain. If
we stand for the right firmly our cause
VIII gam friends and no power can sllc-
| cessiully "eaist us. 1t is better for all
| classess aud conditions Of men that the
right prevail. We owe it to ourselves
and others that we stand firmly for the
right. What the right is, is not difficult
to see when once pointed out and things
are called by their right names.
Restrictions on trade are not protec-
| ton; interest of | per cent. on the civ
culation of banks, provided gratuitousiy
by the government, is not a tax merely
but an unjust discrimination in favor Of
banks. If money is loaned to the banks
at | per cent. why not to Others? If
capital is the product Of labor, why
should the creature. dictate to the crea-
| tor? by what art has the foot become
the head? II capital is the product of
labor (and it could not well produce
itself il is justly the servant of labor and
| not the dictator. OF the three kingdoms
of nature capital belongs to the lower or
inorganic; it certainly is not animal or
vegetable. Aud if inanimate, by what
elchantment does dollar become a
million in 200 years? Is interest a
magician that works only for the capi-
talistI And does the capitalist rule of
divine right like kings? Then what has
become of free American If government
rests ON the consent of the governed,
what but ignorance will tolerate injus-
tice? And if intelligence is necessary to
free government, why not grant leisure
by means Of shorter hours to the hborer
that he may become Intelligent"
Comradc John n. Lee followed
with u pthy speech upon the same
subject, which was heartily ap-
plauded. The interest in the
meeting was manifested by
generous contribution at the col
lection. At the business meeting,
which was held Immediately after
wards, the following resolutions were
adopted
ReSolred, That we, the Socialists of
Boston, view with pleasure the formation
Of trusts, pools and other combinations
of capital which are organized for the
extinction of competition, as steps in the
right direction the great industrial re-
public.
ResOlred, That we consider the action
of individuals and organizations in pro
testing against trusts and pools, as an in
dication of density of intellect amount
ing to stupidity, for the great trend of
events is towards the destruction of the
present competitive system and the form
alton Of a cooperative system of feder-
ated trades and labor organizations.
ReSOired, That if laws can he passed to
make combinations of capital illegal it is
also logical that laws can he passed to
make combinations of labor illegal, and
trades organizations organized to restrict
competition in labor, should be careful
how they indorse laws restricting the
right of unabridged combination.