The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-11
BELLAMY'S NEW BOOK.
Portrays a Prison According to the
| Single Takers View. 49,.

In an interview published by the
Journal few days ago, ]. F. Herman,
the single tax advocate, who has been
holding meetings on the street in this
city, criticised the idea and theory of
socialism.
AS result he has been assailed by
the socialists of the city. Mr.. Herman
makes the following statement on his
own motion to set himself right:
The first trouble we meet is in the
definition of socialism. Webster de-
fines it as a perfect state of society.
According to this definition every sin
cere man or woman is striving towards
socialism. We are all striving for heav-
en- or happiness but the only difference
between US is in the method. Some are
going in direct opposition to others.
Let us all agree that the ends to be at
tanned are the same conditions of hap
piness.
"Some socialists say the method adj
vanced by the single takers is the col
lective ownership of wealth; some say
it is the government ownership of
public utilities, while others declare
that it is government ownership of the
means of production and distribution
However, I believe that DebS and Ed
ward Bellany believe in the collective
ownership of wealth and most socialists
use that as their standard. Socialism
is a grand and noble thought or idea
and is akin to the dream of Bellamy,
and will, 1 am confident, be realized by
society. But Bellamy's latest book pic
lures a state of society beautiful to be-
hold, but upon close examination we
find taht it is in reality a prison He
believes that each should contribute to
the whole according to his ability, but
that each should have equal rights to
the product.
"Of what does human slavery con-
sist, if it is not that one man reaps the
products of another's labor? We call
that monopoly, for all must agree that
some men are able to produce more
than others. However. it is urged that
we will have a judge to. reward the
dilligent according to their merits.
What is this but the theory of an abso-
lutte monarchy? This condition of so
ciety presupposes two things which do
not at this time exist. First, perfect
humanity and just judgment. Who will
bestow the rewards?
"What Mr.. Bethany aims to do is to
take away want and the fear of want
and thereby give the human soul a
full opportunity to develop. Single
takers believe that can be done by
bringing about a reign of justice. We
have been striving for years TO reach IL
and we will continue striving until we
meet with success.
1.-THE next question which arises is:
| What is Justice? Christ says: DO I'M
| to others as you would that others do
unto you' Spencer says that liberty
consists in doing as you please, pro-
vided that you do not interfere with the
rights of others. These two definitions
| contain practically the same meaning,
that a man should be entitled to what
| he produces, but we are then asked;
| How can YOU tell what a man pro-
| duces?
| saThe single takers hold that society
| as a whole creates values of Its own
| anart from the individuals which com
| Trisa If We also hold that the individ-
| nal creates values that do not belong
| to the community. Every one must
| concede that if the community received
| its oroducts as a community and that
| the individual received what he earned
| anart from the community, justice
| would reign Now the only point left
| 10 discuss is: What are community
| values and what are individual val
| ues? Here is the point where individ-
ualism and socialism get tangled"