Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-02


The agricultural interests of the country
are passing under the yoke Of the money
| power quite as rapidly as the other forms OF
| industry. The farmers are becoming ex-
| propriated by the operation of something
| like a universal mortgage system and
unless this tendency shall be checked the
next generation of farmers will be genera
tion OF tenants-at-will. The agrarian con-
ditions OF Ireland bid fair in no long time
to be reproduced in portions OF the West.
In time the money power is bound to seek
protection from the rising discomfort of the
masses in stronger form OF government,
and then the republic, long before dead,
will be put out of sight Then it will be
too late TO resist. Soon it VIII be too late TO
do so, but to-day there is yet time, though
there is none TO waste.
The Nationalists of the United States
asked the cooperation of their fellow coun-
trymen tobring back the republic. We pro-
pose to graft no new or strange principle
upon the republican idea, but the exercise
of power implied in the very idea of re-
publicanism as ultimately necessary to its
preservation.
THE REMEDY PROPOSED.
The plan of industrial reorganization
which nationalism proposes is the very
simple and obvious one of placing the in
which their military duty already rests.
All able-bodied citizens are held bound to
fight lor the nation, and, on the other hand,
the nation is bound to protect all citizens,
whether they are able to fight or not. Why
not extend this accepted principle to in
dustry, and hold every able-bodied citizen
bound to work for the nation, whether with
mind or muscle, and, on the other hand,
hold the nation bound to guarantee the
livelihood of every citizen, whether able to
work or not. AS in military matters the
duty to fight is conditioned upon physical
ability, while the right OF protection is con-
ditioned only upon citizenship, so would we
condition the obligation to work upon the
strength to work, but the right to support
upon citizenship only.
The result would be to substitute for the
present ceaseless industrial civil war, of
which it would be hard to saw whether it is
more brutal or more wasteful, a partnership
OF all the people, a great joint stock COM
pany to carry on the business OF the country
for the benefit OF all equally, women with
men, sick with we'll, strong with weak.
This plan of national business partnership
of equals we hold not only to be demonstra-
bly, practicable, but to constitute as truly
the only scientific plan for utilizing the
energy of the people in wealth production,
as it is the only basis for society consistent
with justice, with the sentiment of brother
hood, with the teachings of the founder of
Christianity, and, indeed, of the founders of
all OF the great religions.
FIRST STEP OF THE PLAN.
The realization of the proposed plan of
industry requires as the first step the
acquisition by the nation, through its gov
ernment, general, State and municipal, of
the present industrial machinery OF the
country. 1t follows, therefore, that the Ma
tionaliSts' programme must begin with the
naturalization of the industries
of the United States. In proposing this |
course we are animated by no sentiment of |
bitterness toward individuals or classes. In |
the money power we antago-
nize not men but system. We advocate no |
rash or violent measures. or such as will pro-
duce arrangement of business or undue |
hardship to individuals. We aim to change |
the law by the law, and the Constitution, ii |
necessary, by constitutional methods. As TO
the order in which industries should be ma
tionalized, priority should naturally be |
given TO those the great wealth of which |
renders them perllous to legislative inde-
pendence, to those which deal extortionateIy
with the public or oppressIvely with en-
Dloyes, to those which are highly svstema-
lied and centralized, and TO those which
,an be readily assimIlated by existing de-
oartments OF government
The following are the measures in the
line of this policy for which the country ap-
pears to be quite ready:
First-The naturalization of the railroad,
whether by constituting the United States
perpetual receiver OF all lines to manage
he same for the public interest, paying over
10 the present security holders, pending the
complete establishment of Dationalism, such
III L.
he properts as may be earned, or by some
,ther practical method not involving hard
ship to individuals.
A second measure for which the people
Ire certainly quite ready is the nationaliza-
ion of the telegraphic and telephone ser
Tices, and their addition to the postofice,
With which, as departments of transmission
,f intelligence, they should properly always
have been connected.
EXPRESS BUSINESS AND MINING.
Third-We propose that the express bust
less OF the country be assumed by the post
,fices, according to the successful practice
,f other countries.
Fourth-We propose that the coal-mining
business which is at present most rapacious-
V conducted as respects the public, and
most oppressiyely as regards great body of
aborers, be nationalized, to the end that the
mines may be continuously worked to their
ull capacity, coal furnished consumers at
,ost and the miners humanely dealt with.
EiIth-We propose that Municipalities
shall undertake the lighting.
leating, the running of street cars and such
'ther municipal services as are now dis
harged by corporations, TO the end that
uch services may be more cheaply and
rendered: that a truthful source
If political corruption be cut off, and large
,ody of laoorers be brought under humaner
of toll.
Pending the municipalization of all such
ervices as have been referred to. National
sts enter a general protest against the grant |
o corporations of any further franchises |
whether relating to transit, light, heat,
Tater or other public services.
1t is to be understood that all nationalized
nd municipalized businesses should he con-
ucted at cost for use and not for profit,
he amount at present paid in taxes bv such
businesses being, however, charged upon
hem.
1t is an essential feature of the method of
Satlonallsm that as fast as industries are
ationalized or municipalized, the condi- |
ions OF the workers IN them shall be placed
pom wholly humane basis. The hours OF
abor will be made reasonable, the compen-
alton adequate, the conditions safe and
ealth'ul. support in sickness, with PEN
ions for disabled and superannuated work
rs, will be guaranteed.
PARTISAN MEDDLING.
The question will be asked, "How is this
reat force of public employees to be placed
eyond the power of politicians and admin
strations to use Tor partisan purposes?"
'ationalists respond by proposing plan
'r organizing and maintaining all public
epartmeutS of business as shall ahSoIuteIv
eprive parties or politicians of any direct .
r arbitrary power over their membership,
ither as to appointment, promotion or re-
lnval