The labor world., 1898-08-27

Il H~O~~
interest and be productive of
no practical benefit.
Mr.. Edward Kriz has issued
the following in reply to Mr..
Towne:
To Charles A. Towne, sir: In
your published interview in
yesterdays News Tribune I
find a great many erroneous
and unwarranted statements,
coming as they do from one
who is somewhat informed as
to the principles Of the Social
1st Labor party it is surprising.
Your 1nsinuation that my
challenge was instigated by the
Morris committee is ridiculous
but, nevertheless, demands,
notice. For a socialist candi-
date to challenge his oppon-
ents, whether representing
gold, silver or any reactionary
movement, for public debates,
is perfectly in harmony with
the tactics of the Socialist
Labor party. -..-.
If you, Mr.. Towne, can name
one instance where the Social
ist Labor party has given it's
support to any party, there
would be some grounds for.
your statement, otherwise it is
childish. You say you will not
debate with me. It is your
privilege to accept or decline
as you please, but the challenge
stands for you to accept if at
any time you should change
your mind.
You say that |, like yourself,
am opposed to the gold stand
ard and trusts. I wish to be
distinctly understood that I do
not consider the present
wrangle over the money ques-
ton as a factor in solving the
social problem. Gold or silver
lis Of no benefit to the working
class 50 long as the capitalistic
class controls industry and ex-
change. The only incentive to
enterprise by this class are
profits, which are ground from
Eth Etth working class. Therefore,
SO long as the profit system re-
mains, the workers are COM
pelled to sell their labor power
to the owners of the means of
production. And, as we know,
labor-saving machinery is
constantly enlarging the al
ready vast army of unemployed
by displacing human labor,
thereby intensifying compe-
tition in the ranks of labor for
the privilege to labor, which
can be the only result in the
steady decline of wages, no
matter whether under gold or
binetallic standard. "
Therefore, it would be the
height of folly for the Socialist
Labor party to lend it's support
to any party upholding the
competitive system. 1t is only
under private ownership that
trusts become an evil. 1t is
the aim and object of the
Socialist Labor party to abolish
private ownership of the
means of production and dis
tribution and substitute cor
lective ownership, that all who
perform honest labor may en-
Joy the full fruits of their toll.
You state further, Mr.. Towne
that we are in accord as to the
ultimate aim, differing only in
the methods of achieving it.
Your party aims to perpetuate
the present anarchical system
which, at best, is only a
change of. masters. On the
other hand, the Socialist Labor
party aims to abolish all para
sites. Therefore tits necessary
that our methods be different.
And as far as perpetuating the
Republican party in power. l
wish to say that all capitalist
parties stand for the fleeing
of the working class. There
fore until justice is established
it makes no difference which
party does the fleeing.
If this explanation removes
your objection to debate with
me I remain in hopes of hear
ing from you soon.
EDWARD KRIz,
Socialist Labor Party Candi-
date for Congress from Sixth
District, Minnesota.