The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-05-04
THE SOCIALIST GROUP.
Portland Populists' Club Discuss 1t
and Admit 1t.

A "Greenbacker Revived Meeting Held
Last Evening-Socialism is Diagnosed
Beneficial
A II Getting of the Populist club of Port
land, was held in Reform club hall last eve
ming. VIM. H. Jewett presided. and W. ii.
Sargent, Uncle John Todd and others to the
number of fifteen or twenty were present.
The most interesting event of the evening,
about which the discussion arose, was
short speech by Mr.. Charles l.. Fox, the
artist. When Chairman Jewett announced
that new business was in order, Mr.. Fox
arose and asked those present if they were
willing to admit a
SOCIALIST SECTION
to their club. There was a visible sensation
in the audience at this proposition, and
much interest as Mr.. Fox went on to say
that he represented a section Of Socialists
who would like to come in on the basis of
the platform recently adopted in New York
city by representatives of the Populists,
Socialist Labor party, District Assembly 40,
X. of L., and the Central Labor Federation
of the city. Would you be willing to admit
us as a Socialist section?' said Mr.. Fox, in
conclusion.
Twill you give us your definition of
Socialism, said Uncle John Todd.
sit means,'' said Mr.. Fox, 1.-THE brother
hood of man; that two men working to-
gether can do more than two men working
against one another; and that combination
is greater than competition"
Then followed a diagnosis of socialism by
the Popul1st wise men, to see If it was
dangerous.
q W. H. Jewett said he supposed all the
brethren had become aware of the efforts in
New York to join all the elements, social
list, populist and Labor elements, on a
common platform. Already we have a
measure of socialism in our government.
The post office is run by the people for the
people, Why not also have the money busi-
ness, the railroad business, etc., run by the
people?
Rev Samuel Butterfield said that Brother
Fox's principles were Identical with those
of the Populists. We all were labo ing to
deliver the laborers from the corruption of
money rule. If we had the right kind of a
government in this country every man could
HAVE WORK AND LIVING.
Uncle John Todd said he supposed o r
Constitution provided for a communistic
state of society; and there was nothing in it
to prevent the city of Portland from run
ming the city water works, or the gas works,
just as the communistic rum shop in the
city is run. He was surprised that Brother
Fox should come here with such question.
OF course he could come in.
Chairman e. D. Boynton of Augusta, of
the Populist state committee, spoke next.
He said the people were waking up all over
Maine; and that Populists clubs were form
ing fast. In the town of Madison, where not
single Populist vote was cast at the last
election, there is a club of $50 men, with a
newspaper ''Look, out for Somerset
county, said the speaker.
Speaking of the Coxeyites, Chairman
Boynton said: 'Those fellows whom the
plutocratic press denounce as buns,
Migrants and the off scourings of society,
are in fact the cream of society," ZAP
plause0
It seemed to be the general opinion of the
meeting that Mr.. Fox and the socialist
section would be welcome.
1t was announced that Populist club is
to be formed in W estbrook Saturday.
Uncle Scion Chase is confidently expected
to deliver great speech at Mystic hall next
Sunday.
Mr.. G. L. Fox will deliyer an address on
Socialism before the Central Labor Union
Monday evening.
Mr.. Fox was asked last evening how many
were included in the Socialist section in
Portland. He said he did not know how
many there were. 1t is understood that
there are fifteen or twenty in the Portland
prol1p.