The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-02
Socialists Appealed to BY
High School DebaterS.

The coming debate between the Sum
ner Club and the Gen. Devens Debating
Club at the high school upon the sub
ject Of socialism Is causing a good deal
of discussion, and the local section of
the socialist labor party has been APP
pealed to to choose a proper definition
Of socialism. The section mas received
a communication from the debating So
cieties stating that there are two def
nitions of socialism in the dictionaries,
and asking the section to Indicate
which Is correct.
Last evening at the regular meeting
of the members of the party at the
headquarters, 554 Main street, the ques-
ton was discussed, so that proper re-
ply might be forwarded. The socialists
are sensitive on the definition of the
word socialism, and do not want the
capitalistic opinion of socialism taken
as the definition.
In the past, the socialists have sworn
by Noah Webster, believing that he
lived far enough back to be free from
any capitalistic blood to faint and warp
his definitions. Webster's definition
which has met with the approval of the
section, is "A theory or system Of social
reform which contemplates a complete
construction Of society, with a more
just and equitable distribution of pro-
perty and labor"
The socialists claim that some DELHI
erately class the socialists as anar-
chists, and this makes them very in
dignant as they believe in reconstruct
ing society through the peaceful method
of the ballot. The Webster definition Of
socialism will be considered as the
standard in the debate
Yesterday, by the action Of the state
central committee, 1t was decided to
keep Mrs. Martha Moore Avery at
Marlboro during the coming week 20
watch out for the interests of the So
cialtst-labor party. When the matter
came up for consideration 1t was
thought best that in view of the recent
disturbance there, she had better
be authorized to remain in Marlboro at
least another week. Her expenses are
paid by the state central committee Of
the party. Mrs Avery is considered by
the state committee the ablest ex-
FOUNDER Of socialism in the state. and
while they hes4tated in sending a
woman to that city during the rough
times, she was the most slctllful work
er, and she was sent at the party's ex-
pense.
At the meeting OF the state commit
tee, last evening, plans were outlined
for the political campaign of 1929. This
is one Of the first moves made by any
political organization OF the state pre-
paratory to another battle at the polls
The party will endeavor to raise a
larger sum for collateral expenses
this year than ever before, and collec-
tons will probably be begun In the i'm
mediate future. 1t was stated at the
meeting that the socialist vote at the
last election was l7-100 per cent OF the
total, which is but the fration over
the necessary amount of three per cent
The vote was 10,069 and failed to SHOW
the desired propoG-tionate increase
which was expected. The vote was suf-
hcient, anyway, 70 allow the party to
put their candidates on the next bal
lot.
To free the idea among outsiders
that the socialists are bigots on eco
nomical questions, Charles e. Wiley,
q Unknown member of the party, has
organized a class whose aim Will be
to study political economy. This class
meets on Sunday afternoon at o'clock
at room 3, 554 Main street Mr. Wiley,
who is one of the deepest students Of
political questions in this section, will
be instructor, and any and all are in
vited by him to become members OF the
class. They need not necessarily be
socialists or admit the socialistic con-
illusions. The idea is to discuss in a
fair spirit without craftsmanship the
great political questions of the day.