The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-16
DISBANDS.
Social Democrats No
Longer Exist
ASIAN ORGANIZATION
Straight Socialists Packed
Meeting to No Avail.

The social democracy and the social
ist-1abor party are still contesting for
the supremacy
In one organization there are a few
kindred spirits, led by an aggressive,
forceful and able leader, and in the
other are numbers with other leaders.
In open politics 1t was felt that there
would be natural antagonism, but in a
forensic dehating club, it was not to be
expected that the two interests would
clash so that the very existence of the
society would be imperilled.
For some months there has been
club composed of social democrats and
socialists. whose aim was the discus
sion Of economic and Industrial ques-
tons When the society was formed,
Addison w. Barr who was the main
representative of the social democracy
IN this city, was chosen president, and
affairs ran smoothly. Gradually MEM
DerS OF the regular socialist-labor party,
o. which Mr.. Barr had perhaps been
the most conspicuous member, were al
mttted us members. And the lion lay
down with the lamb, and there was
peaci..
For a time it seemed as if the social
democracy and the socialist-labo par
" would be harmonious, when it came
70 peaceful discussion of the finan-
clal and labor problems of the present
Tune, but this was not to be.
Last week the club elected officers,
ana thereby hangs a long and striped
tale. During the year the increase in
members hip had been confined largely
70 regular members of the socialist la
Dor srty SO that when 1t came to an
election, the members Of that organl-
cation had the. preponderant strength
They had, however, treasured up the
resignation of Mr.. Barr from the party
oounclls. and they ablded their oppor-
tunlty, and it came.
When the election was held. Charles
A. Fenner, an out-and-out socialist,
and one Of the leaders in the socianst-
labor party, was chosen president This
came as surprise. Members of the
soclalist-labor party were as a rule
elected right through the entire list.
30 that the social democrats who orr
glnally were the support and mainstay
Of the club were without honor in their
country However, their time came.
Later in the week, when a meeting of
the society was called, the members of
the club who were present and who
were more than quorum, voted to
dlsoand the society So the club dis
banded
When the regular socialist-labor
members of the society learned this
they were aroused, but the die was
cast and there was no chance to with
draw. When the vote to disband was
taken the socialist democrats and their
sympathizers were in the majority.
The socialists claim IN their defense
ehat the meeting was called at o'clock
ana that the socialists proper were un-
al to arrive before sos o'clock, or
hVe minutes late. When they did ar
rive the society had decided to throw
up ITS existence, and it is now a his
torical fact.
The social democrats claim that the
SOCIALISTS entered the society simply
10 create trouble and division among
the members. While the society invited
free discussion of the sociological
questions, 1T did not propose to have
the socialists persistently air their
party platform before the society, when
IL had no relation to the topic under
consideration
Mr.; Barr, whose Independence and
popularity has so angered the socialist
TABOR party will continue to hold dis
cusslons upon social problems at 20
rearl street. where free and unham-
pered discussions are to be held.
Inc chalienge which the socialist
iaDof party recently issued to. the Gen.
SAAho toOSiSly ana the sumner Club
for joint debate under the ausnices
OF the party upon the subject of social
Ism, mas borne no fruit. When the first
uepate was held the members of the
socialist-labor party claimed. and they
have since maintained, that there was
not free and independent cbnsidera-
elon OF the subject, and for the rea-
son that the public might not be i'm
pressed with any false notions as to
sne general scope and nature of So
cfalism, II was decided to ask the two
societies which had been rivals in the
first forensic engagement. to hold an
other tournament. To the members
of the societies and the debaters them
selves it has seemed both unadvisable
and inexpedient to further prolong the
contest, and for this reason no second
debate will be held. Both societies
are contented with their present stand
ing, and do not wish to go to the extra
preparation and labor which would be
required by another joint debate be-
tween the two For this reason the
request of the party will be declined