Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-21
A NEW government
That's What the Social Democ.
racy is Seeking to
Formulate.
LOCAL BRANCH IN ROCK ISLAND

WIlism =. Barlp, tr American Railway
linton Fams, confer. with . Numb@r
OF Cmszsns and D-tsrmiDes TO II Id
Public Meeting Hire Next Monday
Night.
William E Burns, organizer for
the Social Democracy, had a confer
ence with a number OF citizens at
Turner hall last evening, the idea Of
holding meeting on such short no.
tice being abandoned. and it wss de-
termined to hold public meeting at
the same place next Monday night,
when branch of the new ORGANIZE
ton will be formed.
Mr.. Burns says the Social Demo-
cracy had its birth in Chicago. June
II last. While yet in its infancy, it
is rapidly establishing itself through
the west. and no says it will not die
out, as other movements have. be-
cause it is founded on principles
which appeal to the life of humanity
"On earth peace. good will toward
men" is the motto Of Social Demo-
cracy. ave need higher form Of
civilization" said Mr.. Burns, ad-
dressing his conferees. '.It is i'm
possible to acquire it, though, under
the present form Of government. We
are now ruled by the government
handed down by the kings. II it
continues. and the Standard OIL COM
pany keeps on acCumulating wealth
at its present rate, in Is years that
corporation would control the indus
tries OF the country. Many still be-
lieve that our government is regu-
lated by supply and demand. Not
SO. whlle on the one hand the trust
is operating and on the other is the
machine. Machinery ought to be a
blessing, but under the present sys-
tenn it is q curee. When the ma.
chine is put in the factory or shop
out goes tn man. The man out Of
employ ment is no longer a con-
sumer. The wealthy class is unable
to consume our products. There is
a surplus. Then the philosopher
claims it is over production. That is
the reason We are wearing old
clothes, torn shoes and are starving.
ave therefore call upon all honest
citizens" declares Social Democracy.
$50 unite under our banaec so that
We may be ready TO conquer capital
ism by making use OF our political
liberty and by taking possession of
the public power, go that we may
put an end to the present bar barous
struggle. by the abolition of capital
ism. the restoration of the land, and
OF ali the means of pr duction, trans
portation and distribution, TO the
people as collective body, and the
so bstitu ZION of the cooperative COM
monweaith f"r the present state OF
p an ess production, industrial war
and social disorder-a common
wealth. which, although it will not
mako a man equal physically or
mentally, will give to every worker
the free exercise ard the full benefit
of his faculties. multiplied by all
the modern factors of civilization.
and ultimately in~ugurate the uui-
versal brotherhood of man"
Demanus Z, Relief.
The demands OF tn. social Democ-
rscy are: That pub ic ownership of
all industries controlled by mouopo.
lies, trusts and combines; the public
ownership Of AL railroads, teleg aph.
telephone. all means of transporta-
tion, communication, water works,
gas and electric plants, and all oiner
public utilities; the public owner
ship 0. al gold. silver, copper,
lead. coal. iron, and ali other MINES,
also all oil and gas wells; reduction
Il the hours of labor in proportion
t. the progress of production; the
inauguration of system OF public
works and improvements for the en-
ployment of TIL unemployed, the
public credit TO be utilized for that
purpose; all useful inventions to e
free to all, the inventor to be remun.
Grated by the pubic; the esta blish-
ment of postal savings banks; the
adoption of the initiative and the
referendum. the imperative ma date
and proportional representation.
Mr.. Burns says the crusade of
SOCIAL democracy IS the essence OF
christianity. The idea is based on
the rock of truth. Mr.. Burns said
he did not want people to follow
Debs. Think for themselves and
follow what their own conscience
dictates
Burns will be remem bered as one
Of the directors OF the A. r U. He
served in Jail at Woodstock with
Debs. He is an eloquent and earnest
tsiker. He says Debs will in all
probability speak in Rock Island the
coming winter