The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-21
THURSDAY, OCTOBER p, 1897
THE SOCIALISTS CANDIDATE on
SOCIALISM.

Some ten days or two weeks back The
Times informed the people Of Virginia
that the Socialists had n regular ticket
before them for the Offices Of Governor
and Lieutenant Governor OF the state TO
be voted for in tho approaching election.
We are not sure We did the Socialist party
a service in this act, for. ut the same
time. we showed and explained the 20
Iitical doctrines which the Socialists al
vocate, and a statement of those doc
trines ought 10 be enough 10 end all
chance Of their adoption by the people.
Nevertheless it is an undeniable fact that
Socialism is on the increase both in Eu-
rope and in this country. In Mr.. Herr
bert spencer's latest work, publish9n
within the last year, after combating
mind, he is forced to admit that its adj
herents are on the increase and that he
fears the world IS destined to fall under
its rule. We see Henry George, n So
clalist in most things, the candidate to-
day Of an immense following for the
Office OF Mayor OF Greater New York,
and Il Is by no means certain that he
will not be elected. it would be worse
than folly, therefore, for those who re-
gard Socialism-as the Times does-as
the most awful blight that could fan
upon the human race TO fail 10 discuss
its essential propositions whenever they
81 n
expose their pernicious tendencies uDon'
each OF such occasions.
Not only is there a strong tendency in
the period itself towards Socialism. but
the fact that the country has already
many individual citizens who have be-
como enormously wealthy (and in what
looks 10 the average man as an incredibly
short period for their success) has stimu-
lated the popular discomfort and has
quickened the growing disposition Of UNI
rest. The subject must be dealt with
therefore. temperately, but by thorough
argument whenever it IS brought before
the public attention.
The Socialist candidate for Governor Of
this State. Mr.. J. ]. Quantz replied in
yesterdays columns of the Times very
deliberately to our previous article upon
his platform. lie thinks that We mis-
represent the principles Of his party IN
saying that II proposes that the general
government shall become owner Of all
the property OF the country and propric-
4
is. ne says. that tho title TO all property
shall be vested in the people at large and
the control of all employments shall be
under the people. lie makes a distinc-
tion, therefore. between the people and
their government
But Mr. Quantz's distinction Is one OF
those that is without any practical diff
ference Though the ownership OF the
property and the omployments may re-
side In the people at large. yet the adj
ministration Of both would be under the
actual government, and those who con-
stituted a. would, % course. treat the
property and the ernployments as things
wholly committed TO their custody ana
care W ~ Ai0io0tA va 10 tlltN ilishN lio-
TESS 70 think best for the public interest.
While making this profession they could,
% course dispose OF both IN the way 10
advance their own interests best, and We
know wen that each candidate for posi-
lion under tho government would tell
voters before an election that IL they
rave their SURFACES 90 him he would
provide for them comfortably when he
got into office. This is the first and fatal
objection 20 the whole Theory Of Social
Ism. II would make elections, as We said
IN our previous article. great auctions OF
fraud and corruption. We see candi-
dates FOR the United States Senate and
other great public Offices. even now. bar
gaining with voters that II they get 70
the Senate or 10 the other place they IS IN
reward them for their services in the
election with something that comes out
OF the public purse. What would not the
case be II these gentlemen had all the
property OF the country under their con-
troll when elected 10 dole IL out in large
or small grants az suited them bestg
Mr.. Quantz says that With all men at