The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-11-06
GERMAN POLITICS.

la great many of us have been
trained to regard the word "Socialist:'
with horror; and to look upon a Ger.
man Socialist as a wild-eyed creature.
with his hair on end and a torch in
MS hand, ready to pull down the
pillars of society and civilization and
yet here is their platform and we
must say that there is little or moth.
ing to which any intelligent Ameri-
can could not subscribe. Read it,
Ed. REP]
The following are the present de-
mands Of the German Social Demo
cratic party according to the Erfurt
programme adopted in October, 1891:
l. Universal, equal, and direct SUI.
frage by ballot, in all elections. for all
subjects of the empire over 20 years of
age, without distinction of sex. Pro-
portlonal represe ation, and, until
this system has been introduced, fresh
division Of electoral districts by law
after each census. Two years dura-
tlon of the Legislature Holding of
elections on legal day of rest. Pay
ment OF the represen ia ives elected.
Removal of all restrictions upon DO
lltlcal rights, except in the case of per-
sons under age.
2. Direct legislation by the people
by means of the right of initiative
and of veto. Self-gOvernment by the
people In empire, state, province and
commune. Election of magistrates
by the people, with the right to hold
ing Them responsible. Annual vote of
the taxes
n al TO-
Substitution Of militia for standing
army. Decision by the popular repre-
sentatlves OF questions of peace and
war. Decisions Of allinternational dis
putes by arbitration.
4. Abolition of all laws which re-
strict or suppress free expression of
opinion and the right of meeting or
assOcia tion.
5. Abolition of all laws which place
the woman, whether in private or
a public capacity, at a disadvantage
as compared with the man.
6. Declaration that religion is
private matter. Abolition of all ex-
penditure from public funds upon &C.
clesiastical and religious objects. Ec-
clesiastical and religious bodies are to
be regarded as private associations
which order their affairs indepen-
IDENTIFY.
Z. Secularisation Of education.
Compulsory attendance at public ma
tional schools. Free education, free
supply OF educational apparatus, and
free maintenance to children in
schools, and to such pupils, male and
female, in higher educational ms titu-
tions, as are judged to be fitted for
further education.
8. Free administration of the law
and free legal assistance. Admins
tration of the law by judges elected
by the people. Appeal in criminal
cused, i'm prisoned, or condemned un-
justly. Abolition Of capital punish
ment.
9. Free medical assistance, and free
supply OF remedies. Free burial Of the
dead.
10. Graduated income and property
tax to meet all public expenses, which |
are to be met by taxation. Self-as-
sessment. Succession duties, gradu-
ated according to the extent of the
inheritance and the degree of rela-
tionship. Abolition of all indirect
taxation, custom duties and other |
economic measures, which sacrifice
the interest Of the community to the
interests of a privileged minority.
For the protection Of labor. the Ger
man Social Democrats also demand to
begin with:
l. An effec tive national and inter
national system of protective legisla-
tion on the following principles:
(d) The fixing of normal working
day, which shall not exceed eight |
hours.
(U Prohibition of the employment
OF children under IA years of age
(c) Prohibition of night work, ex-
cept in those branches of industry
which, from their nature and for
technical reasons. or for reasons of |
public welfare, require night work.
(d) An unbroken rest OF at least Sc
hours for every workman every week.
(e) Prohibition of the truck system.
2. Supervision of all Industrial es-
adjustments, together with the in
vestigation and regulation Of the con-
ditions Of labor in the town and coun-