Workmen's advocate., 1889-05-18

fraternity Ot tnlS city, who proceeded to deliver very able and interesting discourse on Americans and Socialism"
 The speaker began by reviewing the working of the competitive system dur ing the first years of our republic, and showed that under the conditions then prevailing the people had more equal opportunities, Continuing, Mir, Hamil- ton said:
 "These conditions are now changed. In some industries-such, for example, as the oil industry, railways and insur- ance-there has ceased to be any compe- tition. In railroads nominally 5000 cor porations exist, but these are controlled by about 150 great companies, and these in turn are dominated by 60 families. In insurance nominally about G50 com panies are controlled by score of un- derwriters' associations. In industries where trusts have not covered the field, the competitors are few corporations, where formerly individuals competed with each other. Instead of independ- ent prOprietors we have stockholders of corporations and employees. One hun dred men in Chicago are employers of 5,000 other men. The corporation has steadily crowded the individual out of the field of industry, and reclassitied our citizens into two orders: employers, with all voice in the management of in- dustry, and employees, with no voice in industrial management
 "A condition of anarchy with an arls- tocracy on the inside track cannot en- dure.
 'lt is equally certain, it may be added, that no industrial aristoCraCy was ever contemplated by the founders of Amer ican government. While not profess ing to be able to remove those inequali- ties of strength and abilities which al- ways have and always will distinguish one man from another, they did profess to found government wherein the Op- port,HtieS of men should be reasonably equal They never intended man starting in life with a mouse-trap should in twenty five years tilch from society a fortune of hundred millions, as has Mir. Jay Gould. They never intended that women and children should be en- slaved in factories to earn q pttance wherewith to live.
 ''They believed in industrial liberty and that all men are created equal in their right to the opportunities to live, And this arrogant, intolerant, indus trial aristOcracy of to-day exists by sub version, destruction, and suppression of those principles of right and liberty in which the founders of these United States believed, and which they intend ed to perpetuate.
 "What is the duty of Americans in ref erence to these problems?
 First, there are some things we must avoid As rule we are practical peo- pie, not given to visionary sentimental ity. At least, we think we are such a people. We cannot therefore adopt any obsolete Utopias in program of prog ress. EIevating as may be in their ideals, Plato's Republic Moore's 'Utopia,' Cabet's 1caria, St. Simon's Industrial System,' Fouriers Phalans- tery,' Owens New Moral World, we cannot adopt their crude plans of indus trial societies. American industrial re- organization must proceed by extension to industry of the great principles of liberty and right already established in our Bill of Rights We must change an industrial aristocracy to an industrial democracy. Nor can sudden and fore. ible overthrow of all existing institu, ti0ns be reasonably asked.
 The lecturer then spoke of the task Of organizing the industries, which he saiC would be done by the States, one after another, and referred to the railroads as an illustration, making an exhaustive ar gument, and quoting many facts and fig ures to sustain him. In conclusion h( said:
 "We ask that control shall be taker l from this railroad aristoCracy and giver l to the people, who bear the burdens anC pay the bills. We ask this reform mol as to railroads alone, but as to every in 1 dustry, for the same facts exist and tho same arguments apply right down th' l line of the catalogue of our avOCatiOns In every industry appeal to the people i necessary to rid us of corporations witt their aristocracy of stockholders. w must repudiate them as institution which are incompatible with public wei | fare and with individual rights w, must assert the supremacy of the peo ples will over the machinery of govern ment and over their own servants. w. must rebuke public fraud and vindcat' equality against privilege, and reclain to ourselves rights without which as people we cannot he free.
 If socialism and socialists will but q, this they will find earnest support ano help from every honest, patriotic Amer ican.'
 Mir. Hamilton's remarks were receive, with close attention and greeted wit
 frequent outbursts of applause. At tn conclusion of the address short speeChe
 were made by Comrades Adams. Or
 chardson and Morgan. Mrs. Woodma
 submitted resolutions in the general lin