The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-30
sociallst Labor Platform.

Socialist Labor Platform.
The platform adopted by the Socialist
Labor party is interesting for several
reasons. one of which is because 1t
shows the direction in which the DEM
ocratic party Ii drifting since 1t threw
overheard all Of It's conservative lead
ers Of the past. In the last four years
the Democratic party has advanced in
the direction OF the socialists a greater
distance than is left to be covered to
bring the two parties in absolute har-
still more interesting feature of that
platform is the fact of its un-American
standpoint. Every distinctive feature
Of 1t II foreign-European in construc-
tion ana sentiment--and without the
slightest application to any condition
which exists in this country. The cant
Of a capitalistic class, contrasted with
a working class, has no applicability to
this country, and particularly is 1t out
Of place in referring to any conditions
which present themselves in this city
and state. -
Almost without exception, the So
called capitalists Of this state are men
who have come up from the ranks Of
the wage earners by thrift and hard
work. by taking advantage Of the OPP
portunities which have been open to all
alike; and parallel or greater opportuni-
ties exist today for every wage Garner
who has the capacity to take advant-
age Of them. BY far the greater num-
Der of the employers Of labor in this
state were themselves wage earners
within very recent period. and Of the
wage earners Of today fair percent
age will be the employers of labor to-
morrow. The great industrial plants of
this city were built up from the ground;
started with very limited capital. the
savings from wages, and added to by
the earnings Of business thrifty and
Understandings conducted.
Not only IL this true Of the manufac-
turing enterprises OF the community.
but of nearly every other class of busi-
ness which is conducted here. Take the
successful business and professional
men Of the community as a class. and
It will be found a rare exception when
one of them Is the possessor Of Inherit
ed wealth. has any capital beyond that
accumulated by his own exertions, or
any educational advantages beyond
those equally open to every ambitious
boy who Is willing to work and to un-
dergo some hardships and privations to
fit himself for a business and profess
slonal career. Today dozens of young
men are taking full collegiate courses
at the state university, located in this
city. supporting themselves in the mean
time by work done after school hours,
and qualifying themselves for a pro-
fessional career, without asking their
parents to contribute a dollar for their
support. Within a few years, carry
ing with them the same habits which
they have acquired in working their
way to the command of a good educa-
ton, they will probably obtain high
positions in the community and qualify
themselves to be denounced as men,
hers OF the capitalist class. by the sloth-
full, improvident and unambitious, who
failed to take advantage OF opportuni-
ties equally open to them.
OF the boys learning trades, those
who apply themselves steadfastly to the
complete mastery OF their work, who
keep themselves from dissipation, prac-
tice thrift, and acquire business habits
as well as a thorough knowledge Of
their trades, within few years after
they are out Of their apprenticeship.
will either be occupying good positions
at large salaries, or will themselves be
employers Of labor. In either event they
will become members Of the capitalist
class.
In fact. today every man who saves
portion of his daily earnings, and with
rare exceptions this is possible to all
wage earners, is capitalist: every man
who has acquired a home. or lot on
which to build home, q share Of stock