The Advocate and news., 1898-06-08
SOCIALISM AND POLITICs.

BOCIALABM AND POLITICS.
At its annual convention in Topeka
lately the Social Democracy of Kansas
decided firmly not to go into politics as
a political organization, but to endeavOr
to secure action from all parties on
humanitarian measures which should be
lifted above mere partisanship. In do
ing this they took the right action. AS
a distinct political party there is no
need of the Social Democracy. The So
cialist Labor party was on the ground
before It's organization, and in theory,
surely, fills the place Of socialist party
in the political arena. Many socialists
cannot agree with the Socialist Labor
regulation that pledges a member to
vote with no other party, but that is no
more than any other party demands
from those who take part in its pri-
marles or Caucuses. If they feel that the
party which stands for the establish
ment OF socialism and against halfway
measures is too narrow or restricted in
its methods why do they not join It in
sufficient numbers to enlarge and
broaden its work?
There are socialists In all parties, but
the great majority in Kansas are in the
POpulist party 1t could not be other
wise, for the drift of the Peoples party
since the prOmulgation of the Omaha
platform has been logically toward So
cialism. That platform was strongly
sOcialistic, and free silver, which is but
one Of the issues 1t advocates, is only a
plea for government ownership of
money. If the Populist party continues
to move forward Its State platform this
year will advocate number Of mea-
sures, such as the establishment Of State
stoCkyards, the operation Of the State
coal mine by free labor for public pur-
poses, and, generally, the ownership by
the public of all public utilities, which
may be dubbed socialistiC because they
are humanitarian.
1t may be objected that this step will
endanger fusion arrangements. II this
objection is made, which is hardly prob
able, it will simply show that fusion in
Kansas has reached the point to which
1t inevitably comes, sooner or later,
where one Of the parties involved must
give up or show it's independence. In
fusion there is talk at the very begin
ming of the principles involved but this
gives way before long to discussion Of
vote trading. After fusion Is once estab-
lished you hear the party managers say
but little Of their respective demands for
places on account OF principle or SUI
periOr qualifications; 1t is always the
comparative number of votes that is
considered. This objection will hardly
be heard because the Democrats and sill
yer Republicans are about ready for
the same step, and 1t is thoroughly con-
sistent with their principles.
But If through timldity the Populist
party should stand still the Socialist
Labor party convention at Fort Scott
the week following would undoubtedly
adopt a platform that will draw Pop
ulists to them, especially in the south
east corner Of the State. A strong step
forward by the Peoples party will of
course relieve the Socialist Labor party
of the necessity Of any separate action,
for with a sOcialistic ticket that is al
most certain to win already in the field
what valid reason would they have for
putting up another?
There Is good work in Kansas for two
socialist organizations, one in the field
OF politics and the other to do what the
Social Democracy has set out to do.
There are humanitarian measures upon
which all parties can agree, and only