St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-04-29
NO BOMBS IN THEIRS.
Twin City Socialists Do Not
Court the Fate of Spies
ct al.
Chief Clark Catechizes Emile
Constant Regarding a Pro-
posed Meeting.
A Split in the Sections on the
Eight-Hour Move
ment.
Dictator Constant, After a
Three Hours Wrangling,
Tables the Matter.

800 you see those two men? They
are detectives :"
The speaker was Emile Constant,
and the remarks were addressed to a
companion as the two entered the Car
penters' hall, corner of Third and EX-
change streets, yesterday afternoon.
The alleged detectives were lounging
near building opposite the hall,
where number of nOn-union street car
drivers are being boarded, and their
presence was subsequently explained
by Mr.. Constant. Yesterday afternoon
a socialist meeting was held in the Car
penters' hall, and Saturday Chief of Po-
lice Clark, hearing of this gathering
to be held had an interview with Mr..
Constant. This is what the latter saws
took place:
Chief Clark-What is this meeting about to.
morrow:
Constant-oh! It's just one of our usual
gatherings.
Clark-Mind, we are not going to have any
bomb throwing. If it's not peaceable meet
ing can not allow 1t to be held.
Constant-Tut. Bombs. We never think
of such things The meeting is solely for the
purpose of having discussion of the eight
hour movement
Clark-All right.
Mr.. Constant was thus not surprised
in yesterday noticing, as he ayerred.
two detectives guarding the treet car
drivers from bOmb-throwing Eand the
recapitulation of the above details to
the socialists attending the meeting
created much amusement. 1t was a
joint meeting of the st. Paul and Min
neapoliS socialist sections, and the OBJ
ncf TO- do ,0Io
ton to the eight-hour movement of the
men and two women were present.
Comrade Reach, of st. Paul,
was requested to preside, and
he called upon w. G. Smart,
Of Minneapolis, ''to enlighten us little
on socialism," Mr.. Smart was nothing
10th, although he at the outset declared
himself not a member of the socialist
labor party. He was, however, a So
cialist. Why? Because the present
basis of society was wrong. The evil
could only be remedied by revolution
airy means. Not by force; not even by
the ballot in which he expressed his
disbelief: but merely by diffusing
among society the object and aim of the
socialist party. Mr.. Smart's remarks
were not only sensible in tone, but dis
closed a well-educated mind, with an
intelligence quick enough to perceive
that society must be educated to the
necessary point before even
REFORMS AND REVOLUTIONS
can be carried. Discussion was next
aroused upon the eight-hour move
ment, and divergent opinions at once
arose.
Comrade Keach-The question is, Shall we
support the trades unions in this agitation?
&c nI1 # 49,,
unions? It is merely to increase the wages
of the workingmen. i
Comrade Gaefke-No.
Comrade Keach-Whatis it then?
Comrade Gaefke-Why, it is this: To see
that workingmen get fair money value for
their labor.
Comrade Reach slightly subsidized, and
argued upon the deSrability of social
lists taking active part in the eight
hour movements. He thus seemed to
favor it, though he afterwards spoke
against the proposition. w. FL. Smart
was strenuOusly opposed to socialists, as
a party, giving their support to this
1t was only a temporary relief to the
working classes; twas merely touch
ing the fringe of the great labor prob
lem, which, sooner or later, must be
the question was through the princi-
pies of socialism. If trades unions
wanted to agitate the eight-hour
movement, let them do so, but do not
let the socialist party cooperate. They
could sympathiZe with the movement.
Comrade Gaefke condemned such sell
fish course. 1t reminded him of two
brothers. One married and had ten
children; the other married and had
none. The childless brother grew rich,
while the other remained poor. The
poor man asked his brother for sup
port, and his reply was: ''YOu should
have done as [ have DONE" Were So
cialiStS to refuse their aid to trades
unions because the latter did not pro-
pose TO act i'll the way they would have
liked?
f. lbers. of Minneapolis, did not be-
lieve in the methods of trades unions.
They proposed to gain their end in this
eight-hour movement by a universal
strike. That was wrong. They should
seek to secure the eight-hOur movement
by legislation-tha was, through politi-
cal agitation Comrade Thorber sup
ported Mr.. Smart's view, and Emile
Constant vigorously urged that they
should assist the trades unions in this
agitation. The eight-hour movement
was one of the
PLANKS IN THE PLATFORM
of the Socialistic labor party, and it
would be wrong-nay, it would be
suicidal-to refuse their support. For
three hours, the TWO factions continued
to air their opinions, and when thor
0ughly exhausted, definite action was
called for.
Comrade Thorber-Then l propose
that the Socialist party take no active
part in this eight-hour agitation. The
proposition was seconded and adOpte
-21 yeas, 6 nays. With the adoption of
the motion, several socialists were in
doubt as to how they should iGdiyidu-
ally act in the movement. and the con-
fusion and doubt became so great that
Emile Constant called for reconsider
alton of the votes, which was agreed to.
I. Ibers--Now | move that the socialist
party support this eight-hour movement as a
political agitation. We must ahye nothing
whatever to do with strikes.
". G: Smart-I suggest the adoption Of the
original motion.
Chairman Gaefke--The adoption of the
original motion is
Emile CONSTANT object. The gentleman
is not member OF the social labor party.
Chairman Gaefke-I don't care whether
he is member or 3;ot, shall put mis- mo-
ton.
Sc cretary Wiesner read the rules of the
party, which preCludcd non-member from
making motions or voting.
Chairman Gaefae-Thcn I'm not men,
Der, and you had better at once elect another
chairman.
Secretary Wiesner-You are ID member;
yod paid your dues Up 10 March
Chairman Gaefke--I say I'm not mem
ber and told you never would do not
believe i'll your taxation scheme, and so
merely subscribe to your funds. Nominate
your chairman; In not going to sit here any
longer.
Conrad Max was indicted into the
chair, and Mr.. Gafke savagcly dropped
into another seat.
Emile Constan:-Now I move these resolu-
uolis be laid OIL the table
Mr.. Smart Il would say that
Emile Constantine question is not de-