The San Francisco call., 1897-07-16

OWe ndnU
lis trus IS and capitalistic combinations on the
other, will anninilate the middle class, the
basis upon which the system rests, ana thereby
work out its own downfall.
We therefore call upon all honest clllZenS 10
unite under the banner OF the Social Democ-
racy of Amerie4, so that we may be ready 10
conquer capitals by making use OF our po-
Ntical liberty and by taking possession OF the
public power, so that we may put an end TO
the present barbarous struggle by the aboll-
-tion OF capitalism, the restoration OF the
land, and of all the means OF production,
transportation and distribution, to the people
q collective body, and the substitution OF
the cooperative commonwealth Tor the pres
ent state OF planless production, industrial
war and social dSorder-a commonwealth
which, although it will rot make every man
equal physically or mentally, VIII give 10
every worker the Tree exercise AMI tine tull
benefit Of his faculties, multiplied by all the
modern factors O civilization, and u timately
inaugurate the universal brotherhood OF man.
The Social Democracy of America will make
democracy, "the rule OF the people, ruin,
by ending the economic subjugauon OF tho
overwhc lmingly great majority OF the people
With view TO the immediate relief OF the
Ceople all our efforts shall be put forth to Sc
cure 10 the unemployed self-suppOrlng en-
ployment, using all proper ways and means
10 that end. For such purpose one OF the
States OF the Union, TO be hereafter deter
mined, shall be selected for tie concentration
of our supporters and the Introduction OF CO.
operative industry, and then gradually eX-
tending the sphere OF our operations until the
National cooperative Commonwealth shall be
es abiished.
We also make the following specific de-
mands for relief:
troiled by the monopolies, trusts and COM
biues.
The public ownership of all railroads tele-
graoh AMI telephone systems, ali means OF
transportation ard communication, water
works, gas and electric plants and all otner
public utilities.
The public ownership of all gold, silver,
lpql
also al oil and gas wells.
Reduction OF the hours of la Dor in proper
tinu 10 the progress OF production.
The Inauguration OF system OF pubic
works and improvements for the employment
of the unem ployed, the pubic credit 10 be
utilized for that purpose.
All useful inYeu tons 10 be free for all, the
inventor q be remunera ed by the public.
The esta bishment OF p }stal savings banks.
The adoption OF the initiative and refer
endum, the imperative mandate and proper
uoual representation.
The constitution of the National Coun-
eli provides as follows:
The headquarters OF the Social Democracy of
America shall be located at Chicago.
Local branches shall be limited TO 500 men,
berS each.
State unicns shall be composed OF one repre-
sentative from eHch local branch
The National council shall be composed of
one representative from each State and Terri
toTy, and shall be empowered TO enact all
gen neral legislation.
The executive board shall be composed of
five mem bers, ected annually bv the Ma
tiOnal Council Il snail have general super
vision of the organization and be empowered
10 provide such rules, issue such orders and
adopt such measures as may be required TO
carry out the objects OF the organization. All
members OF the board shall give their entire
time 10 the organization, and no member shall
hold political Office.
The revenue Of The organization shall be de-
rived from an admission Zee Of % cents and
monthly dues OF 10 cents, payable monthly,
Tor each member.
In the constitution for State unions tits
provided shat each State organization
shall have its Headquarters at the capital
city OF the State in which it is organized
that an executive board of five mem bers
shall have supervision of the affai of the
State union, and that no member OF the
executive board shall hold any political
office
According to the constitution for local
branches any reputable person subscrlb-
ing TO the principles OF the organization is
eligible to mem bership. An executive
board OF five mem bers, elected annually,
is 10 nave The general supervision of the
affairs OF the local branch. and no such
member must hold political office.
Most important OF all TO the thousands
OF unem ployed in this country was the
adoption OF the const tuition of the colonl-
cation department. TINS is as follows:
Section l. On or before August l. 1897 the
executive board OF the National Council shall
select three persons OF sound business judg-
ment and unqaes ioned integrity. who shall
constitute the colonization comm IssioE OF the
Social Democracy OF America.
Sec. ?. AS soon as practice be after their ap-
pointmenl they snail meet and elect from
their number q chairman, secretary and
treasurer, who shall mold Office for one year,
or until their successors are elected and quail
fed. They Shal. receive for their services not
10 exceed So per day and their railroad fare
and no ell expenses " hile in actual service in
their Cfficia capacity.
Sec. g. The comm ssion shall in conjunction
with and subject 20 the approval OF the cXecu-
tive board as soon as practicable examine
into the advantages OF the several States tor
the colonization and decide without unneces-
sary delay upon some State or States for that
purpose, and make due report thereof 10 the
organization.
Sec. 4. The commission shall, as far as prac-
ticable, cooperate with other cooperative Or
ganizations having similar objects in view.
sec. s. The object OF the Colonization shall
be the establishments OF the State cooperative
commonwealth tn and ultimately the National
Cooperative Commonwealth upon the princi-
pies set forth in the declaration of principles
OF the Social Democracy oI Am erica.
Sec =. The commission snail give special at
tention to the unemployed and shall, as soou
as possible, establish cooperative industries
Tor their employment.
Sec. 2. The commission shall subject to the
approval of the executive board, adopt proper
measures and regulations for the Sc lection of
hppllCdUtS LOT plOy NSDC ana 1Cr assisting
them in reaching the State or States selected
for colonization.
Sec 8. The colonization fund shall be in
the custody OF the treas urer, who shall file
such bond as the executive board may require
Tor the faithful performance of his Guties.
He shall receive all contributions, giving his
receipt therefor, and issue q monthly report
OF the transactions Of his Office and transmit
copy thereof to ch local branch.
Sec 8 At each annual meeting of the Ma
tional Council a committee of three shall be
appointed 10 examine the books and accounts
of the commi> i>sion and submit report in
Guiding statement of rece pts and d.sburse-
ments, TO each local branch.
Sec. 10. The revenue for the support of the
colonization department shall lie derived
from voluntary monthly contributions OF
members and voluntary contributions from
other sources. Each local branch shall e ect
a collector for the colonization fund, who
shall collect the monthly aud other contribu-
lions and forward the same 10 the treasurer
month or as soon as PRACTICAL thereafter.
Sc. IL. In carrying forward the work of col
on1zatlon the board shall proc eeed in ORDER
y systematic manner according to carefully
prepared plans made in advance, placing men
and women of such occupations and in such
numbers as VIII be required in the course OF
industrial development OF The State.
Before the session of the convention at
Chicago concluded its labors an executive
board was elected with Eugene v Debs as
chairman. In a letter received in this