Workmen's advocate., 1890-10-25
IN CALIFORNIA.

Vigorous Campaign on Square Issues H. G. Wiltshire, Candidate of the Na-
 tionalists for Congress, Endorsed by
 the Farmers Alliance.
 The Congressional campaign in Los Angeles, Cal, was opened by the Nation alists of that city on Oct. 5, with spir- ited meeting that was addressed by w. c. Owen, Editor of the Weekly Nation. alist, H. c. Wiltshire, the nominee for Congress-, and Mrs. Anna F. Smith. E. c. Schnabel, Secretary of the State Committee, presided. w. c. Owen spoke substantially as follows:
 We are appealing to the masses with different arguments from those you will hear from either Democrats or republi cans Why is it that our young party has dared to throw down the gauntlet to the old organized parties? The hour has come when large proportion of the people can no longer be fooled-nor can all of them be bribed or intimidated or cajoled. It is because these facts are plain to us that we have ventured to step into the arena. Our creed consists of truths so simple that they may be understood by the most untutored.
 We have advanced to period in the worlds history where it is plain that there is no longer any such thing as competition. Leaving out the great cor porations and gigantic fortunes, let us look at the everyday question of bread and butter. What is competition for most of us, compared with the combina- tions that are rapidly swallowing up all the branches of industry and trade The old parties are playing fast and loose with the people and throwing dust in their eyes. In reply to the vail that goes up from all sides they talk about legislation to make competition more just and natural. Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, it seems light matter for us to put a candidate in the field; but it is serious thing for all the nation. It Is my conviction that if the good, earnest, hard working people of the country cannot muster the courage to stand up for themselves, then It is hopeless to look for solution of these questions through the ballot. No people can stand the extremes of wealth and poverty which we now behold. Poverty is a monster which is unnatural, and should not be allowed to exist.
 H. G. Wiltshire was then introduced. He said:
 Do we own the country in which we live or are we the slaves of the few who do own 1t? What difference is it whether we work for man for our life or for every day of our life? This is question which affects every one of us, for it is a question of justice. It is said that prop erty is more widely distributed here than in any other country on the globe and that there Is no real poverty here. Now, as matter of fact, while the wealth per capita here is nearly 30 per cent less than the wealth per capIta in England, the wealth of the rich men in this country is nearly twice that of the rich of England. The present system cannot last five years. We are not here to beg, but to demand our rights. To- day the platforms of both the great par ties have a trust or monopoly plank. They assure us that tleey will deal severely with the trusts that interfere with the necessities of existence. The trust, as we understand it, is an arrange ment forced upon its members by the condition of competition in the country. | The sugar refineries of this country pro- duce enough sugar in four days to last ! seven. Now, is it not absurd to pass a law that they must produce every day ln tbe week? That is what the so-called antitrust legislation means.
 Now, why is it that the people of the | United States do not come out and sup.