The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-12-03
A FREE FOR ALL DISCUSSION
THE SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
FINDS A WARM SUBJECT.

Who FoIlowed-Sooialism Had Many
Friends-Judge s. E. Baldwin Gives His
Opinion.
Socialism" was pictured rosy hued
and lovely by it's advocates at the meet
ing of the Social Science association
last evening. The said advocates OF
socialism, who were out in force, had
their war paint and feathers all on to
do and die for the cause, and woe befell
those Of the opposition who had the
hardihood to attempt to spatler mud on
the socialistic picture. George Mans
field, the apostle of socialism, from
Westville, was scheduled to open the
discussion with a paper on the subject,
but for some reason failed to appear.
Rev. DR.. MoLane was called upon to
fill the gap
The pastor Of Plymouth church, ac-
cording to his own confession, is not a
full fledged socialist. He only has it in
mild form, with several conditions
attached. In his opening remarks he
stated that it was evident that social
ism was Scheme" which had not yet
been perfected. For one thing, it SEEM
ed to him that it's advocates did not
sufficiently recognize the imperfections
Of individuals which would seriously in
terfere with the carrying out of the
socialistic doctrines. DR.. McLane said
he did not claim to have a perfect un-
derstanding Of socialism.
Attorney Henry G.. Newton followed.
From his experience as a lawyer and
a dealer in real estate he had reached
the conclusion that even if all the pro-
ducts of the country were equally di-
vided among the laboring classes the
income of a laborer now receiving $3.50
would not be more than $1,000, under
the new distribution. He also confess
ed to having been socialistic enough to
have desired that the city should as
sumo control Of the city water works
at the time the water company bought
up the voters to give 1t the control. He
would also be willing to run the risk
Of the city assuming control Of the street
railway transportation. On the other
hand, whether it would be for the bene-
fit of the public to have every one take
more interest in politics, as would be
required under a socialistic dispensation
Is a question of grave doubt.
Mr. Hunter Ga recent convert to So
cialism)-"I am glad the two gentle
men who have just spoken said they
didn't know much about socialism; at
least DR.. McLane said he didn't, and 1t
is evident from what the last speaker
said that he didn't. / haven't been a
socialist long, but I have been one long
enough to know that socialism does
not have for it's object the division Of
all property. I amt far advanced, but
I am further advanced than you two
Fellows
Meyer Stode1 championed socialism
with his usual force and vigor. He
said: 1.-THE Workingman to-day cannot
buy as much according to the wealth
produced as formerly. If he does not
get the full product of his labor, how
is he to buy it back again? DR.. Nc
Lane said socialism is a scheme It
is not scheme 1t is a fact and Is
the product of a process of evolution.
Socialism does not seek to change the
individual alone. 1t seeks to change
the system. Change the system and
the individuals will adapt themselves to
the new condition all right. Rev DR..
McLane wanted to know if people
would do their best If the spur Of ne-
cessity was taken away"
Mr.. Stodel replied in substance that
of course they would and that people
were compelled to be dishonest by the
condition under which they are COM
PEELED to labor to-day.
Mr.. O'Neill also answered the rever-
end doctors question by saying that
the conditions had so changed in re-
cent years that it was hardly possible
for man to be honest and take an in
terest in his work. All this change has
been brought about by an ever sharpen
ing competition. All classes are saying
there must be a. change in the system.
And what change, pray, can there be If
not in the direction of socialism. He
did not expect socialism to come in
day or year; he rather expected that
it would take many years to secure it.
Mr.. Henry Baldwin referred to the
vast amount Of distress seen through
out the country to-day. This he attrib-
uted to the desertion of the farms by
their former tenants and their focking
into the city. The vast army Of Euro
pean emigrants, also, instead of spread
ing over the unoccupied lands Of the
west had settled in the city. AS re-
suit many traders are overstocked with
goods and many are out of work. From
this condition of affairs spring trusts
of labor and trusts of capital. The
trusts are carried even into our city
governments as is evidenced by the eff
fort of city officials to help every Tom,
Dick and Harry of their class. The
moral he drew from all this was that
what the people needed was more hon
esty and godliness.
Mr.. j. w. Townshend called DR.. Nc
Lanes attention to the fact that
changes do not usually wait for people
to get ready for them, witness the at
titude Of Hamilton and others toward
the formation of our government; the
honor with which Jefferson and his de-
| mocracy were at first received; the
emancipation of the slaves in spite Of
their ignorance. People, he believed.
would conform to new conditions.
Trusts, though violently asailed, were,
he thought probable but one stage in
the development of society. Though
their purpose at present is TO serve the
selfish interests of such men, in time
| tney would serve the interests of the
| whole people. He also referred to the
loss of economic force by the improper