davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
MUMMlFIEO POLITICAL
ECONOMY.

The Columbia College Political Science
Quarterly has just brayed its regular
bray-not, this time, through the nos
trils of Prof. Geo. Gunton, but through
the equally sonorous ones OF Prof. Ed
win K. A, Selgman.
The article, this time, is on the general
property tax. A long string of author
tiles and references is attached to it to
give it dignity, and upon this foundation
is reared most pretentious and elab-
crate argument showing why tax
upon general property is bad. The
author both promises to show by
future article and allows it to appear in
advance in this that taxation should
be not upon property simply, but upon
the productive capacity of property.
In reading this article one imagines
that he is reading some antique essay on
"How to Tie the Cravat" or "How to
Fasten the Garter; essays that can be
found among the cdriosties of litera-
ture, but which to-day have no intrinsic
value whatever. The civilization we
are stepping into rejects all manner of
taxation, single or complex, direct or
indirect, upon property or upon pro-
ductivity. To spend time in showing
that our present methods Of taxation
are wrong is pure waste, denoting
either a superabundance Of conceited-
ness or ignorance, since the ground has
been sufficiently thIeshed before; it de-
notes also an utter misconception of the
economic and political forces now at
work, and the silly belief that any such
palliatives as a reform in the methods
of oppression by capitalism can find &C
ceptance with the public. Yet such is
the stuff, such are the thoughts our
So called learned professors are working
on. Nor is it strange. They are APP
pointed for their ignorance and are paid
in proportion to their humbugologizing
powers. If what they produce were
rdlueS, one could conclude that they
earn full wages.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
SURPLUS LABOR,

In our last issue we commented, rather
doubtfully and sar castically, upon the
statement made by British trade pa.
per supposed to be well informed, that
the trade unions of England could not
supply skilled labor in sufficient guam
tity to meet the demand for it, owing
to the activity of industry throughout
the United Kingdom. That the paper in
question was wilfully misrepresenting the
condition of atfairs-in SO far at least as
labor is concerned-we have now a con.
elusive proof in the following statement
of the London Justice:
Last week we called attention to the
extraordinary increase IN the number of
Migrants in different parts of the coun
try, in spite of the rigorous treatment
- which these unfortunates are now
subjected. But it is mot alone in the
provinces that such evidences of the be-
neticent results of modern civilization
are on the increase, if we are to judge by
what wee see around us. Scarcely day
passes, i'll the poorer districts, without
some poor devil, in defiance of the va
grancy acts, presenting himself at your
door, begging for morsel of food
You emerge from a railway station in
the East End and are Immediately sur.
rounded by crowd of ragged, barefoot
urchlns, crying, Give us bit of bread,
governor. You pass from the station
along streets where, standing at their
very doors, wretched, prematurely aged
women offer themselves for prostitution
But these are not only evidences Of the
results of our modern civilization, the V
also show how little the recent victories
labor has achieved have done to change
those results they affirm more clearly,
more definitely, more terribly than
words of ours could do, the need for a
complete Social revolution"
Bear in mind, fellow-workers, that
under the present system of capitalism
affairs have reached point where no
amount of industrial activity can result
i'll the employment of all the surplus
labor adoat. The "army of the unem,
ployed" is a permanent institution.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
MARCH Is, 1890.
A CORRECTION.

From the announcement, made last
week IN our columns, that this number
Of the WoRKMEN's ADVOCATE would be
double the usual size, few OF our sub
scribers have hastily concluded that the
increase Of size would be permanent.
We regret that such is not and cannot
as yet be the case. This is merely an
agitation number" issued in CONNIE
moration OF the Paris Commune.
In the aforesaid announcement the
types, moreover, made us say that ord
ers for extra copies of this number should
be sent to this office no later than Clues
day, March 25th," instead of Tuesday,
March 11th." AS all the sections were
duty notified Of the date of issue by the
National Executive Committee of the
s. l.. P, we trust that this Topographic
cal error led no one astray.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
BEWARE!

In his annual report upon the condi-
ton Of the militia the would. be satrap
who commands the military forces Of
this state is guilty of utterances which
SAVIOR strongly Of treason to the Re-
public. He plainly declares his intention
to 80 select the militiamen from among
the most merciless enemies of the work.
ing class that every one of them may be
depended upon to give that class no
quarter in times of labor troubles. That
he will be sustained by the Legislature
cannot be doubted in view of the fact
that the chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Finance recently declared, in
an interview which has not been pub
lished, that no money would be granted
for schools, but that any amount of it
could be obtained for armories.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
GROSSLY FARCiCAL.

Humbugologists never tire of making
themselves ridiculous. Here comes the
London Economist and tells the miners
OF England that in demanding of the
State that law be passed limiting their
hours of labor to eight they are max.
ing most dangerous concession: thew
are surrendering their liberty and CIV
ing up their right to work as long as
they please" Taking up this cue the
New York Commercial Bulletin warns
the workingmen of America that if they
recognize the right of the State to fix
the length of the work.day they must
recognize also its right to fix the rate of
wages, and that both wages and work
day may ''in the near future" be
fixed" in a manner very contrary to
their expectations; in other words, that
if they admit State Interference, the
State, controlled as it by the capital
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
POWDERlY IN NEW YORK,

In response to red letter call four
thousand Knights Of Labor met at the
Cooper Union last Monday night to hear
a dissertation of their General Master
Workman upon "ballot REFORM" The
enthusiasm was greatest and the shouts
OF approval were most emphatic when
Powderly declared, in substance land
for mere rhetorical effect, perhaps), that
unless social conditions underwent a
radical change there would be a revolu
ton in this country. But when he de-
rided the idea of taking independent
political action because it was easv
enough to start labor party, but it
was not so easy to keep it pure" there
was an ominous silence; silence most
suggestive of profound disappointment.
The question that naturally came to the
minds of all-and that was actually ex-
pressed within our hearing by several
OF the listeners-was whether anything
more could be expected from the old
capitalistic politicians to be elected by
reformed ballots" than from the same
politicians, now elected by "unreformed"
ones.
OF course, we are decidedly and en-
phatically in favor of ballot reform.
But, manifestly, this will not of itself
change social conditions 1t has not
changed them in Australia or in any
Of the ten American States where it has
been obtained. Ballot reform without
independent political action is practical
ly useless. To advocate the first while
opposing the second is pure" humbug-
ology, for the benefit of our impure"
political parties.
Again. when Powderly declared that
he was substantially in accord with
Henry George, the few noisy plaudits
that greeted his utterance in the center
of the hall served to emphasize the
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

ominous silence of the great body Of the
audience. To thus evoke at meeting
Of workIngmen the ghost Of man that
Labor cannot curse enough as the cause
Of its disruption; to thus exhume his
i'll smelling corpse from the "asi! barrel
OF the Democratic party" and hold it up
again as a Savior, is piece of imbecil.
ity that shows in Mr.. Powderly a re-
markable decay Of mental vision and
deplorable petrification of the under
standing.
Fortunately, there is growing intelli.
gence among the Knights, and a widen,
ing comprehension of the forces that
impel the labor movement. To the dis
Interested and careful observer this
hopeful fact was more apparent from
the behavior Of the audience than from
Powderly's speech, and quite striking in
the contrasting light of both.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

lists, may sooner than they imagine
interfere against them"
1t we're waste of time to undertake
refutation of such puerile arguments.
We merely record them to show what
a poor opinion the bamboozlosophistS Of
the capitalistic press must have Of the
average intelligence of the working man
if they expect that such ludicrous trash
can produce upon them any other effect
than uproarious hilarty.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
AMERICA AND THE COMMUNE.
THADDRUs B. WAKEMAN,

America has never understood the
Commune. Therefore the people Of the
great Republic have never RENDERED their
need of appreciation and h onor to those
who were murdered bv the thousand as
martyrs to the American principle Of
self'government. Government by 1.-THE
consent of the governed, that is by
the voluntary cooperation OF thepeople,
is the great idea of the Immortal Dec
laration of Independence. Government
not by compulsion or restraint but by
consent was the result of the settlement
of new country by those who had Of
course left their rulers behind them.
When anything was to be done by
the settlers in the way Of government or
anything else, the only way was for
them "to get together" and do it. Thus
from the town-meeting or parish to the
Colony or State, and finally to the old
Confederacy and the Constitution which
founded the United States, the purpose
was that the people should make and
administer such government as should
be for their common benefit and protec-
ton.
When George ILL., and his satraps
were sent flying from the country the
people naturally combined their States
and themselves into Repub liza Com
monwealth, which should have the
strength of the mghtiest empire with.
out it's tyranny. That purpose has been
largely fulfilled. That it shall not be
defeated in the end Natl onalism"-
and every other means by which "eter-
nal vigilance, the price of liberty" can
be secured-must be invoked.
Among these means of serving liberty,
none is more effective than the lessons
of it's martyrs. Least of all should
Americans permit themselves to be com.
mitted against the recognition of such
| i'i'J 10 ~ oho ulloiepIeSeI1 ldJlOlb Vi
those who slaughtered them, so that
government of, by, and for the people
might cease among men. If Paris, the
eye of France, had maintained her
Commune, that is her municipal self
government, every other department
would have followed its exam pile, and a
true Republic based upon her people
would ere this have been fact.
A Republic which does not rest upon
the primary assemblies of the people
can only be one in name; by their true
representatives only can a Republic be
be sustained. These are truisrns, or ra-
Their were. We must have them recalled
IN our country by return OF politics
from "bosses", partizans and parties to
the people. How shall that be done?
Let us begin by honoring those who last
persisted for that cause, the cause Of
government, in the streets of Paris
and in the plain of Satory!
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
CORBIN'S FINE OLD PORT.

CORBlN'S FINE OLD PORT.
The thousands of miners and railroad
employees who by their labor enable Mr..
Austin Corbin to earn "wages of abstin-
ence" will deplore the fact that some OF
the fine old port which he lately bought
in Europe was stolen at the New York
Custom House. They are willing to de-
prive themselves of the necessaries OF
life for a kind and considerate master,
whose health, shattered by his efforts to
increase their abstinence if not their
wages, requires the abundant use Of
the finest wines produced on this pla-
net; but they do not intend to promote
Drunkenness among inferior employees
OF the governmental politicians with
cast iron windpipes, for whom, at any
rate, Jersey lightning, Baxter street
razors' and other like cordials of do
nestle production are not only good
enough but far better than the sweet
wines of Spain. We trust that they will
hold an indignation mass.meeting and
pass resolutions demanding the imme.
diate abolition of the import duty upon
foreign wines and the substitution there
for of an increased duty on coal.
1t is, indeed, quite evident that any
duty on wine, however small, is not only
hardship to capitalists who live on
wages of abstinence, but also an incentive
to robbery and drunkenness among a class
OF government employees more noted for
the literary requirements which they
must display at their civil service exami
nations than for the honesty and sobriety
which they are not expected to display
on election day. In undergoing inspec-
ton the wine is necessarily detained at
the Custom House for several DAYS, thus
exposing to temptation men whose
pockets are only less capacious than
their stomachs. Furthermore, such
tax, by unnecessarily swelling our surp-
lus revenue, encourages national waste
at the expense of the wealthy classes.
AS these must have the best of wines
anyhow, they are, to the extent of the
tax, deprived of the power which money
gives and which they alone can exercise
intelligently and benefcently.
How different with duty on coal
In the first place no coal worth speaking
of is imported, and the growing depth
of the English mines, with the atten.
dant increase of the cost of mining.
renders 1t more unlikely every day that
any foreign coal may ever find its way
to our markets. An increase of that
duty will not, therefore, swell our
surplus revenue; but it will protect
American labor by enabling Austin Cor
bin and other coal barons to claim that
it has been imposed for its protection
and to demand, accordingly, higher
wages of abstinence for themselves.
Should any coal be imported, however,
no Costum House employee would have
pockets capacious enough to hold a
quantity Of it equal in value to one
single bottle of Corbin's fine old port.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

We commend to the attention of our
readers the humorous comedy in one
act, entitled THE Firebrand," published
in another column. In many places
where Socialist Sections and Nationalist
Clubs have at their command a SUI,
ficiency of histrionic talent, such a
play might be publicly given to great
advantage.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

There's widespread discomfort among
the farmers. From the latest statistics
it would appear that American agricul.
ture is on the decline. If you desire
light upon this important subject, read
the WoRKMEN's ADVOCATE, in which the
facts relating to it will soon be presented
in an exhaustive article.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

William Waldorf Aston was presented
last Tuesday, by the Republican Com
mittee OF his district, with a document
bound in black morocco leather and
lined with silk purporting to be ''reso-
luton of coincidence" upon the death of
his father. We trust that he fully I'M
dertood its meaning.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

While working at considerable dis
advantage in many respects, we have
endeavored to show in this extra"
number what sort of paper the WORK
MEMS ADVOCATE might be if each of
our readers would make it his special
business TO get us another subscriber.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

Congress has peculiar way of reduc-
ing the surplus. Bills have been intro
duced this year, which, if passed, will
not only wipe away any treasury balance
available for the reduction of the public
debt, but will compel the nation to
borrow a thousand million dollars or
more.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

If the bill passed by the New York Se-
nate last Tuesday becomes law three
more pompous ignoramuses will be added
to the Board of Education of this city.
The people ask for schools, they are given
stones.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

What crime have the labor organiza-
tons committed to suddenly deserve the
commentator of that most despicable
of middle class organs-the New York
Times =
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

While the people of this city are shout
ing for more schools, the Board of Edu.
cation is coolly contemplating the pur-
chase of palace for itself.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15
Interesting correspondence solicited from pro
ietarians In all parts Of the world. Letters re-
curing answers should contain return postage

NOTICE TO sUBsCRIBERs.-The date
after your name upon the address label at
tached to your paper Is the date Of expiration
Of subscription. Thus mch8O means that
your subscription expires with the end of Mar Oh
1890 Send your subscription money early, and
notify us OF any fault In delivery or error on
our part
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

The antitrust law of Missouri received
a black eye last Tuesday. Upon a de-
murrer, filed by company in a suit in
stituted by the Secretary of State, and
questioning the constitutionality of the
aw,Judge Dillon sustained the conn pany,
thereby declaring the law unconstitu.
tional.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

Old Hutch and his "pals" of the Chi
cago gambling hell known as the Board
of Trade, were routed last Tu esday by
the official announcement of the De-
partment of Agriculture, that the guam
tity of wheat in farmers hands was
10000, 900 bushels. Only once before
in the history of the country was such
showing made, and the Spectators in
wheat are in a cold sweat.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

AT the Women's Fair to be held in this
city by the wives of the 400, "a Peep at
the Twentienth Century" will be given.
A stage will be built at one end of the
room, on which setting of a drawing
room will be placed, and in it several
ladies and gentlemen dressed in ad.
vanced costumes will show how pleasant
life will be in 1000 A. D. They will have
a big keyboard set over the CRATE fire,
and by pressing certain buttons on it an
electric piano will come in and play for
them; their ancestors will come down or
up and pay them visit; mechanical
walters will provide them With food;
airships will stop at the window to take
them on an outing, and many other re-
markable things will happen. We are
not toll what will have become of the
walters and other machines made Of
flesh and blood, but the inference is that
their race will have entirely disappeared
and that the 400 will be the only in.
habitants of the earth. For contrast
read Looking Backward" and go to the
Women's Fair.
Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-15

Mr.. Minshall will speak at Natl onalst
Club, No. 3, Spencer Hall, 14th St, next
Sunday afternoon, at 3 O'Clock. Su bject:
"Will Nationalism Solve the Liquor
Question Y'
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
An Epicurean Wall.

Brother Grover mournfully bewails
the absence Of butter in the Elko
market, and complains bitterly be-
cause he has to use sop on his dodger.
But the butter famine might prove a
blessing in disguise to the epicurean
scribe, and little closer diet a cor
receive to equity and other high toned
ailmonts, superinduced by the rich
quality Of food to which he has ac
customed himself since he has been
working the INDEPENDENT bonanza
Besides, the brothers complaint is
unchristianlike. The Lords prayer
says, "Give us this day our daily
Bread" and makes no mention OF
either oleomargarine or cow butter
Times Review.
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
Obitu airy.

Andrew Stevens, whose death &C.
Cured at the Courthouse this morn
ing at4 o'clock, was native OF Nor
way, and came to this Coast from
Wisconsin about the year 1881. For
several years he worked in the mines
of Virginia City. On the first Mon
day in December last he was ap-
pointed Janitor Of the Courthouse,
and although in poor health,
with the assistance of helper he
managed to perform his duties faith
fully and we'll, although it was evil
dent that consumption had marked
him for victim. He occupied a bed
in one of the rooms of the Courthouse
where he breathed his last.
He leaves two sisters in Virginia
City, or Gold Hill, and nephew in
Tuscarora who, SO far as is known, are
all the relatives he has in the country
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
The Resources of Alaska.

The list Of Alaskan resources grows
larger almost every month. Not only
is IL said to have an abundance of
minerals and an inexhaustible supply
of GOAL, but it is now claimed by few
enthusiasts that it is a great natural
wheat country in some parts. Still
further, a learned crank now comes
forward to prove that the heart of
Alaska is magnificent semi-tropical
region, being protected from the cold
OF the north by lofty chain of noun
tains, and artiticially warmed by a
vast number of volcanoes and hot
springs. He admits that he has never
been in Alaska, but the fact, he says,
is really point in favor Of his theory,
for he is not burdened with any pref
udices on the subject.--[N. Y. Trib-
une.
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
Senator Brice.

The New York World charges that
Calvin s. Brice, the newly elected
United States Senator from Ohio,
used money lavishly to secure hia
election. The World says:
"That an enormous amount of money
was spent in Brice's interest in one
way and another is generally known
and not denied. Little by little facts
are being divulged which show how
the money was spent, and that much
Of it was employed in directly procnr-
ing votes in the General Assembly, IL
not in purchasing them outright"
This Is denied by Mr.. Brice who, In
an interview in reference to specific
charges made by the World, Gays:
"And generally, you masnGss to
cover all such matters, tslaE no nsRm-
her or Senator, received gSoia nsas oS
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
Mail Orders prompt
l!y and carefully filed.
BUSINESS LOCALS.
j. LANG.
j. ROSENSTOCK.

Go to the Bed Rock for refresh
ments.
The Bed Rock Saloon, next door to
the Postoffice.
Children's Wooden Hoods for %
cents, at Rosenstock's.
Children's Winter Caps for 25
cents, at Rosenstock's.
Now and fancy stylos OF Wedding
Stationery just received at the INDIE
PENDENT office.
Missouri Cider, fresh and sweet, at
wholesale in quantities to suit at
Reckhart & Froelich's.
A handsome line Of Ladies' and
Misses Wraps Of the latest fashion
Just received ut Reinhart's. Go and
take look at them, Prices way
down
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31

any one for me, directly or indirectly,
in person or through others, any
money or other thing of money value,
before the election or since, or the
promise or hope OF any. And this
applies both to the vote in the caucus
and to the vote in the Legislature"
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
Timely Advice.

Don't hang dismal picture on the
wall, and don't daub with sables and
glooms in your conversation. Don't
bewail and moan, don't waste your
self in detection, nor bark against the
bad, but chant the beauty of the
good. Set down nothing that will not
helm somebody.
Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-01-31
Do You Need Fuel?

L have opened a road 70 my mine
where have large supply of good,
dry shale which 1 will deliver at
reasonable prices. Those who desire
cheap fuel should leave orders at
the Humboldt House.
1-3u. J. LANG.